Category Archives: Buildings

The Old Muddy Post Office in Muddy, Illinois, holds a unique place in American postal history, once noted for being one of the smallest post offices in the United States. While some sources claim it was the second smallest after the one in Ochopee, Florida, its diminutive size is largely attributed to the era in which many rural post offices were constructed as simple, modest structures. Despite its small stature, this historic building has become a significant landmark within the tiny incorporated town of Muddy, contributing to its local charm and providing a glimpse into the past of rural mail service.

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The Hotel Florence, a gem within Chicago’s Pullman Historic District, stands as a testament to the grandeur of the late 19th century. Built in 1881 by architect Solon Spencer Beman, it was commissioned by George Pullman, the founder of the Pullman Palace Car Company, to accommodate visiting businessmen and dignitaries. Named after Pullman’s eldest daughter, the hotel exudes an aura of Victorian elegance with its Queen Anne style architecture, featuring a wide wraparound veranda and intricate detailing. Inside, guests were treated to luxurious amenities, including a spacious dining room, a billiard room, and a saloon, all designed to impress and entertain.

Over the years, the Hotel Florence witnessed the rise and fall of the Pullman empire, surviving the tumultuous labor strikes of the 1890s and the eventual decline of the railroad industry. In 1975, the Historic Pullman Foundation stepped in to save the hotel from demolition, recognizing its historical significance. Today, it is owned by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which is currently overseeing a major renovation project. The goal is to restore the hotel to its former glory and reopen it to the public, allowing visitors to experience the opulence and charm of a bygone era.

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Located in Oak Brook, Illinois, east of Chicago, stands a historic water mill, one of only two still operating in the Land of Lincoln. This remarkable structure is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the Graue family.

Friedrich Graue, an immigrant from Germany, arrived in the United States in the late 1840s. He settled in Fullersburg, a burgeoning farming village and transportation hub. Recognizing the potential of the local clay-rich soil, Graue and his family diligently dug ditches to improve drainage and harvested the clay for brick production. Utilizing their own labor and locally sourced materials, they constructed a kiln on their farmstead and meticulously built the mill, complete with a waterwheel.

The mill began operation in the summer of 1852. Guided by their Pietist faith, the Graues, who opposed slavery, played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, making their mill one of three confirmed stops in Illinois.

For approximately 60 years, the Graue Mill thrived under three generations of the family. However, advancements in milling technology, particularly the advent of steel rolling mills, eventually led to its decline.

In the 1930s, the derelict mill underwent a significant restoration effort by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Reopened to the public in 1951 as a working historic site, the Graue Mill now serves as a captivating museum, operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

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