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Columbia in Monroe County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

Arlington Hotel & Saloon

S. Main St & Legion St.

— Historic Main Street —

 
 
Arlington Hotel & Saloon Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 23, 2021
1. Arlington Hotel & Saloon Marker
Inscription. On June 12, 1951, several hundred people gathered at the dedication by Mayor A. C. Metter of a round, bronze plaque to designate the center of Columbia's City Limits and new street and house numbering system. The plaque was placed on the sidewalk across the street from the historic 1820 center of town limestone benchmark. At an earlier time, this corner was the location of a three story building known as the Fairmont Hotel, then later, the Arlington Hotel and Saloon. With the purchase of a beer for a nickel, patrons could indulge in the buffet. This building was where "drummers," or salesmen, spent the night after calling on local merchants.
 
Erected by Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail; Columbia, Illinois.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.
 
Location. 38° 26.572′ N, 90° 11.994′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and West Legion Street, on the left when traveling north on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 W Legion St,
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Columbia IL 62236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First National Bank (a few steps from this marker); Masonic Lodge & State Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Schneider House (within shouting distance of this marker); Vogt Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Rose's Drug Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tunze Saloon (about 300 feet away); Columbia Star Printing Co (about 300 feet away); The Miller-Fiege House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. Miller-Fiege Home (was about 500 feet away but has
Arlington Hotel & Saloon Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 23, 2021
2. Arlington Hotel & Saloon Marker
been replaced with another marker now near it).
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on September 23, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 6, 2026