Arcola, Illinois, More Murals, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Brooms,...and a Hippie Memorial!

Nan and I found another small town with murals in Arcola, Illinois. 

Nan had been here before, years ago, and remembered it as the birthplace of Raggedy Ann and Andy's creator, John Gruelle.

The old Opera House.

Unfortunately, a sagging economy brought an end to the Raggedy Ann museum Nan remembered. It has been closed for several years.

Nan peeks in the window of the old museum. They used to have a Raggedy Ann Festival every year.

Poor Raggedy Ann is all alone in the deserted museum.

But there's a mural remembering them.

It tells the story of Raggedy Ann's creation.

This mural remembers a Veteran from Arcola.

This is Amish Country. We went into Yoder's Homestead Shop.

Where Dodger greets all the customers.

Dodger talked me into buying some homemade peanut butter dog treats for Thistle. He offered to demonstrate how much dogs love them.

We found reminders of Raggedy Ann's heritage here...

Yes, they do make brooms here too. Lots of corn grown in this part of the country.

It wasn't the advertising mural but the painted windows that peaked my interest in this wall.

We wandered through an antique shop.

Notice the brick street.

A mural representing the Amish.

And a mural for children.

Route 45 goes right through Arcola.

And this is the Hippie Memorial!

The tall section reflects the Hippie generation...1960s-1980s.

Bottle cap art...

A mural reflecting Arcola's Hispanic population.

We found Raggedy Ann and Andy again at the Tourist Information Center.

Part of the broom collection inside the Information Center.

They had brooms for sale too. Nan bought a new whisk broom.

We also did a driving tour of the surrounding Amish area...ate in their restaurants, visited quilt shops, etc.

Ligonier, Indiana Murals

When we rode through Ligonier on the way to the Apple Festival during the recent get-together, I noticed some interesting murals on the buildings in this town. So Carol and I decided to return to Ligonier and check them out. 

Unfortunately, many of the stores are empty, but attempts at Urban Renewal are apparent all along the main street.

The many murals depict scenes from the town's history...beginning with the Native Americans who lived here first.

 These murals honor some of the town's "fathers," prominent businessmen.

Notice the clock...you will see it later. It was donated to the town in honor of Isaac Cavin's father.

 We came across the Solomon Mier house in town.

The Ligonier Train Depot...1858?

 Boy & Lamb statue.

 Tug of War

Colorful buildings

 "Horse Thief!"

 The Health of Ligonier

 Ligonier businesses...

The Solomon Mier House is now a Bed and Breakfast. He once owned the Carriage company in town. Notice the carriage in the carport.

And remember that old clock? It is in a little park at one end of town.

 Pretty little triangular park.

 We went one block off the main street and went back the other way. Many circa 1800s homes.

 A mural inside the Post Office.

 More murals on the backside of the Main Street buildings.

 War Memorial mural

 And one on the Fire Station

 They make marshmallows here!

 Another little park.

 The official sidewalk greeter...

 The Ligonier Historical Museum is housed in an 1889 Jewish Temple.

 About the Jewish population...

 Along that street...

 Too bad we missed the Marshmallow Festival!