Okawville Landmarks and History in Washington County, Illinois

Washington County, Illinois

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Okawville
and some of the
Landmarks & History

Okawville Civil War Landmark to be Razed By Grover Brinkman Date Article Written or Appeared Unknown (About 1979)
This landmark building, erected of sandstones hauled by horse and wagon from nearby Plum Creek during Civil War days, is finally getting the headache ball. Presumably the building was erected by the late Carl Schulze, Okawville miller and merchant, whose mill stood near the site. George Rehbein, 87-year-old retiree of Okawville, said he remembered his father, William Rehbein, tell that he had helped in the rock hauling, the task prolonged by the war. A German mason, whose name is forgotten, laid the sandstone and mortised the walls. Evidently he did a good job, for they have stood for 115 years before proving dangerous. In its long life, the building housed at least two general stores, a funeral parlor, a hardware establishment operated by the late Jonas Smith; a saddle and harness shop operated by Sam Krebs; a tonsorial parlor, and ended up as a tavern known as Old Rock Inn. The late C.A. Absher, L&N agent of Okawville, once purchased the building for $1,200, and the late Harry Sale, one of the owners, once was featured as a pianist in various St. Louis big bands, and on the riverboats. Photo & Article Furnished by Jo House

Okawville Civil War Landmark to be Razed
By Grover Brinkman
Date Article Written or Appeared Unknown (About 1979)

      This landmark building, erected of sandstones hauled by horse and wagon from nearby Plum Creek during Civil War days, is finally getting the headache ball. Presumably the building was erected by the late Carl Schulze, Okawville miller and merchant, whose mill stood near the site.
      George Rehbein, 87-year-old retiree of Okawville, said he remembered his father, William Rehbein, tell that he had helped in the rock hauling, the task prolonged by the war. A German mason, whose name is forgotten, laid the sandstone and mortised the walls. Evidently he did a good job, for they have stood for 115 years before proving dangerous.
      In its long life, the building housed at least two general stores, a funeral parlor, a hardware establishment operated by the late Jonas Smith; a saddle and harness shop operated by Sam Krebs; a tonsorial parlor, and ended up as a tavern known as Old Rock Inn.

The late C.A. Absher, L&N agent of Okawville, once purchased the building for $1,200, and the late Harry Sale, one of the owners, once was featured as a pianist in various St. Louis big bands, and on the riverboats.

Photo & Article Furnished by Jo House

The Nashville News
Nashville, Illinois
July 28, 2010

In the July 28, 2010 issue of The Nashville News there was mention that this building was torn down that week.
It also stated that it was built in 1865.

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