Two-fisted burgers, first run movies and dazzling 19th Century
architecture (look up!),
Taylorville’s downtown square survives
and thrives as an American treasure dating to 1839. Lincoln slept
here – honest! Here’s a sampling….
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Tastes of Taylorville
One-East Market Restaurant
Southwest corner of square
Restored historic buildings set a stylish
stage for a comfort food-to-fine dining dinner menu Tuesday through
Saturday. Open for lunch on Friday. Jazz and martinis ignite uptown
allure. 217-824-5111
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Bill’s Toasty Shop
111 N. Main St.
Best-selling guidebooks laud this 1940s
greasy spoon, happily oblivious to changing times. Hand-dipped
shakes, robust chili and sizzling burgers keep the diner’s
counter stools spinning around the clock. 217-824-4022
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Rene’s Drug Store
Northwest corner of square
Rub elbows with local movers and shakers
at this downtown hub, where generations have flocked for goSsip,
coffee and fountain service. 217-824-5323
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Discover shops with flair on the square!
West Side Story
Catch a Wild Pony!
Wild Pony, the square’s newest
business, is located in a recent rehab – the meticulously
restored landmark that housed a shoe store for nearly a century.
The consignment antique store steps back in time with rare finds
(old tools, wood, collectibles, china, books and antique furniture),
architectural salvage and restoration hardware.
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Merle Norman
This isn’t your mother’s
makeup mecca. An array of cosmetics fills a wall, but hot! styles
from designer jeans to edgy tops and trendy coats echo Hollywood
closets. At Christmas, fanciful fireplace stockings aflutter in
feathers flew out of the shop.
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Unique Expressions
Irresistible handbag designs signal
“buy me.” Look for Marc Chantal, Shiraleah, Jazzd
and more plus jewelry. An itinerary for life (“choose to
be a rebel…”) adorns Matt & Nat’s green
“Train spotting” satchel.
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Don't Miss European Architecture
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- Classic flourishes, imported tiles,
masterful masonry and fanciful metal facades embellish 19th
century buildings. Original details elevate upper levels.
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- See 1887 Union Block Building at the square’s southwest
corner. The lavish cast iron exterior, long proclaimed a
masterpiece, has been traced to the legendary Mesker family,
which mass produced sheet metal facades for small town builders
unable to afford costly architects.
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- The building has been the site of the Doyle-Fraley law
office for many years. In the middle of the block, Naples,
Italy is the origin of the ornate oak and walnut back bar
at the West Side Tavern. The bar
was mothballed in Nokomis during Prohibition.
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Union
Block Building |
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South Side
In Good Taste
This top tier culinary haven stocks
fun and functional kitchen ware and gourmet goodies. Homemade
candies and gift baskets echo the shop’s name while chocolate-dipped
strawberries tempt in season.
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The Best 4 Less
Greeting cards for all occasions sell
for half price at this charming enclave of plush toys, woven baskets
and decor for all seasons. The façade hails Lincoln vs.
courthouse pigs.
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Market Street Wine Company
Labels elusive in a small town are
everyday fare at this destination for wine, imported and micro
beer, spirits and cigars. Drop in for complimentary wine tasting
from 2 to 4 p.m. every Saturday.
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Emmerling Gift & Book Emporium
Books on Lincoln, English gardens and
tea parties team up with sparkling gifts at this little shop of
curiosities a few steps west of the square.
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 East
Side
Cottage Rose Gifts & Crafts
Harry & David and Wind & Willow
taste treats beckon, along with a wall of old-fashioned candies
and booths brimming in home décor and vintage collectibles.
Enjoy lunch at the Fifties-theme dining nook.
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When coal was king
Christian County Coal Mine Museum
200 W. Vine St. (one block south of square)
Former miners created this time capsule
of historical photos and memorabilia recalling Christian County’s
120-year mining history. Relics from the bloody 1930s mine wars
enrich the collection. Link to coalmines.org (mine wars local
history project). Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday;
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Free; donations welcome.
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Free popcorn Tuesdays!
Kerasotes Cinema on the square (North Side)
Latest movies are shown in two theaters.
$3 before 6 p.m.; $4 after. Show Time phone: 217-824-3060. www.kerasotes.com
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‘Meet Me at the Fountain!’
The “Tall Crane and Bittern
Fountain” is the square’s newest attraction.
Dedicated on Veterans Day (Nov. 11, 2006),
it duplicates a fountain erected on the same site in 1906 by the
Taylorville Woman’s Club and dismantled during World War
II. Rising on the southwest corner of the Christian County Courthouse
lawn, the new fountain was created from 100-year-old original
patterns.
Taylorville Mayor Frank Mathon
& First Lady Pam donated the fountain. Other benefactors provided
utilities, concrete work, benches and plaques.
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Choose Taylorville for a Day Trip or Weekend!
From romantic getaways to shopping sprees,
family adventures,
spa interludes and dining delights, we’ll roll out the red
carpet.
Taylorville Tourism Council 217-824-2194
PO Box 13, Taylorville, IL 62568
www.visittaylorville.com
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