Red Bud in Randolph County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

YMCA Building

131 South Main Street

Photographed by Thomas Smith, August 7, 2026

1. YMCA Building Marker

Inscription. This building was built in 1923 by Lee Cowell. The bricks were hauled in from Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois, where they were manufactured.

The Dashner Furniture Store, which originally started in the Kaffenberger Building around 1919, was owned and operated by Grover A. and Fern Dashner. It moved to this location in 1924. They offered a huge line of furniture and appliances. Eventually ownership was transferred to Grover's son., Vernon, and his wife, Mavis, who was known by most as Dolly. Vernon's propane business also operated out of this building. After many years at this location. Dashner Furniture Store moved to West Market in the 1990s, only to close in 1995.

The City of Red Bud purchased the building. The front portion of the building house the City Block Teen Center from 1999 to 2014. During this time, a lot of volunteers, including teens, worked on the building. The YMCA occupied the rear portion of the building. Since 2014, the building has been fully occupied by the Southwest YMCA Fitness Center.

Erected 2025.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 38° 12.666′ N, 89° 59.65′ W. Marker is in Red Bud, Illinois, in Randolph County. It is on Main Street (Illinois Route 3) 0.1 miles south of W. Market Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 131 S Main Street, Red Bud IL 62278, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest,

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.

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Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The North County News Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Cowell Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ziebold Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 1860 Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 1860 Building & 112 East Market (within shouting distance of this marker); The Kaffenberger- Carnhan Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ziebold Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ziebold Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Red Bud.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, August 7, 2026

2. YMCA Building Marker

Photographed by Thomas Smith, August 7, 2026

3. YMCA Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.