The Historical Society and Coulterville Public Library are working to raise funds for the mural project that will be painted on the side of the library building. If you have suggestions for "book titles" contact the museum or library. Check back for updates on the project!
Coulterville (Grand Cote) est. 1850
Coulterville History
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Adami Hotel
The Adami Hotel is a popular topic of Coulterville History. Students always love to research this iconic hotel. The hotel was built in 1877 on nine acres of land just north of the railroad tracks. The Adami was 2- stories, and it had thirty rooms. The lobby of the hotel was big and heavily decorated with leather sofas, and fascinating art work. The dining room was said to be the largest room in the hotel. The Adami was also known for their fine foods.The hotel had a mineral bath, croquet and tennis courts, as well as large spaces for entertainment. To the side of the hotel was a lagoon, inside of the lagoon was an island and many bands played in the center. The Many visitors came from St. Louis on the train to spend long vacations at this upscale retreat.
Wilson's
The original building of Wilson's Service Station was built in 1926 by Art Mcnulty. The Wilson family became part of the station in 1941. In 1965 Merle's son deiced to buy it.Through the chain of owners they kept their old hefty cash register, that was out dated. Unfortunately, A tragic fire destroyed the building under the ownership of Roland and Laura Wilson in April of 2011. The Building is now Alan's Auto, still to this day you can catch Laura up at the new shop.
Coulterville Dairy Queen
The first owners of the Dairy Queen in Coulterville was the Grafton Family . It went from the Grafton's, to Merle Wilson, to the Parkinson's, to a different company in Okawville, to Paulette Jackson, and then it was sold to Scott Rust in the 2000's. An ice cream cone was only five cents when it first opened. In 1953, the most expensive product of ice cream you could buy was one quart for thirty five cents. In 1973 we finally had food along with ice cream in the Dairy Queen. Before the Dairy Queen had food along with ice cream, they only opened in the summertime.
Roxy
According to the Glimpse Vol.XVII the Roxy Theater was the main hangout in Coulterville. Only three people worked there each night, the manager, ticket booth worker , and the person who projects films. It cost 25 cents to watch a movie,a dime for a bag of popcorn, and the theater could seat 300 people. Holz offered a free movie to each child on Christmas every year.During the summer all of the neighborhood kids would watch a film in Vernon's back yard. Holz was a very Independent man. He ran the business by himself by himself, being his own janitor, and he cared for everything. The Roxy stood where City Hall is now, for about 75 years. It fell down in 1995. It made many city members happy!
East Mine
The east mine was first owned by Chicago & Coulterville Coal Co, but owned by 7 other company after. There were 4 mines. The four mines were the West mine, the East mine, the Granny mine , and the Holiday mine. Coal was a good seller and used for many things such as keeping the school warm, powering steam engines, boats, and our electricity.
Ambulance
According to Vol.XV Coulterville Glimpses of History, Coulterville has had an ambulance service since 1940. Paul Howard and Merl Wilson started the original ambulance service. They worked at the funeral home where they used the funeral home car as the original ambulance. In 1979 they sold the funeral home Paul and Merl purchased a 1954 dodge 6 passenger Sedan, they then converted to an ambulance. In 1979 they sold the funeral home. Then purchased a pale green Chevy known as the " green weenie". About a year later they had their first EMT class was held . Originally there was 17 members
Union Depot
In 1870 the Union Depot was bulit costing $2.5 million dollars. According to the Glimpse: Vol.XVI May, 2007 the first train ran through was on December 5th,1870. In return of all the money ,the railroad would give the state 7%of what they made. The trains ran off steam so the Illinois Central bulit a water tower in 1903, at the old lake, so that the trains could get water. The depot had a train run through many times a day , such as 8:52 am heading north in the morning and south in the evening
Rock House
The rock house is the oldest existing building in town. It was built by the Coutlr family between 1830-1833. The family used stones from Eden, IL.
Coulterville School
​ According the Story of Coulterville book, the most modern and handsome school was built in 1873. It was a four- room brick building, that was considered to be the most modern and handsome school in Randolph County. J.Q.A was the first principal employed to teach at the school, while having Sallie Goddard as his assistant.