Fred Lynch retired in 2018 after capturing images for the Southeast Missourian since 1975, in that time moving from black-and-white to color, from film to digital and to video. The blog title is a nod to an earlier era of news photography and the 4x5 Speed Graphic: It's more important to be there for the shot than to worry about technical details.

McClure, Illinois aerial in detail

Posted Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at 12:00 AM

G.D. Fronabarger took this undated 1940s-era aerial photo of McClure, Illinois. Below are buildings which have been identified by Anola Gill Stowick.

Submitted by Anola Gill Stowick:

1. This was a store that eventually turned to apartments.

2. Clyde Pierce's house.

3. Baptist Church.

4. Federal's boarding house.

5. Burris blacksmith shop. (Burris was my grandfather.)

6. Themyers general store.

7. Raymond "Bud" Burchyett's barber shop.

8. Harvey's restaurant.

9. Burton's grocery store.

10 & 11. Neither my mother nor aunt remember what these were.

12. Knaup's pool hall.

13. Illinois Central depot. (Freight only, no passengers.)

14. Marchildon's General Store

14-b. House to the right of Marchildon's store -- My aunt says was owned by Frank Marchildon. My mother says the Reeves' sisters.

15. The Villa Restaurant and Motel (Owned by John Dunning.)

17. The 21 Club.

16 & 18. The Flying Saucer and Why Not Club. (Not sure which was which.)

NOTES: The large farm in foreground was "Babe" Anderson's farm. Mrs. Anderson (Minnie) was a teacher at McClure Grade School.

X marks a few "outhouses" which were still the norm in many McClure homes at the time. Bigger, newer homes had septic tanks and electric pumps for water. My grandparents' houses had no running water into the early 60's. We pumped water for washing and consumption and used the outhouse. As a child I loved staying with them because it was like "pioneer" days.

Previous blog:

McClure, Illinois has borne 3 names

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Fred, thanks for posting Frony's photo of McClure at it's best. Although I spent weeks at a time with my grandparents, Amy and Bob Burris, my mother and aunt, Carole Burris Glasson filled in most of the business names for me. In the 40's and 50's McClure was the perfect little town ( sort of Mayberry without a sheriff). Main Street had everything you needed: a restaurant, several grocery stores, a dry goods store, Marchildon's general store, 2 churches, a blacksmith, post office and a pool hall (men only). Everybody knew everybody and thanks to 'party lines' everybody's business.

-- Posted by Astowick on Thu, Sep 24, 2015, at 12:20 PM

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