History walk

It was the perfect way to occupy a sunny and warm Sunday afternoon. On May 5, the Monticello Public Library and Heritage and Cultural Center invited the public on a history walk in downtown Monticello. Led by Deb Bowman, the walk took participants up First Street as they learned all about the businesses of long ago. Starting out, Bowman said the former Masonic Temple, at the site of the Renaissance Center, was once used as a high school for a short time. The Blue Chip is the site of where Monticello founder Daniel Varvel built his cabin when he arrived in town. He wanted to live in proximity of the river. “The town developed along the river,” Bowman said. “People lived and breathed by the river.” Businesses soon filled in along Main Street, then First Street. The town then began to build toward the railroad. Ohnward Bank used to be an apartment complex. The Cone Shoppe was once the site of a post office. Dick Long created several businesses at what is now Advantage Home Medical and Hartig Drug. There used to be several gas stations throughout the First Street corridor. REM Electric started in a building behind McNeill Hardware. It is now located on E. First Street. The Prescription Shoppe used to be a Casey’s General Store. Bowman said it was built there to be in proximity to the high school (now the middle school) to attract kids after school. (Photos by Kim Brooks)