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

Cowell Building

116 South Main Street

Photographed by Thomas Smith, August 7, 2026

1. Cowell Building Marker

Inscription. The earliest known merchant in this building was Fred A. Rathert, a fashionable merchant tailor. In 1871, he was joined by a partner, Henry Heuer. In 1936, Oswald and Nick Rathert and Paul and Annie Rathert sold the business to Emmett and Justine Cowell. At that time, a bus line operated by Emmett Cowell, Max Siegfried, and Bill Burkhadt operated here. Cowell Clothing and Insurance moved into the building in 1936 and served the community until 1978. Emmett's son Louis and his wife. Leulla, joined the clothing company in 1954. When the clothing business closed in 1978, the insurance business remained. Louis and Luella's daughter, Justine Cowell Liefer, joined the agency in 1979 and purchased the business in 1988. Justine's daughter, Quinn Liefer Johnson, joined the agency in 2000 and became a partner in 2014. The Cowell family has continuously served the community since 1925.

The Cowell's purchased the building in 1938 and remained the owners until it was sold in 2017 to Kalin and Kathy Liefer. Today, the building is undergoing renovations.

The neighboring building at 118 South Main Street was once

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Label Koch Butcher Shop (1938). For many years afterward, it was part of Cowell Clothing. The building was eventually divided, and it has been rented to a variety of tenants over the years, including Cross TV Electronics, owned by Mike Cross (1979); Cable TV Co; Hobbs Jewelry, owned by Joe and Marilyn Hobbs (1984); Hobb-Rehmer Jewelry, owned by Winne Rehmer (1996); and H&R Block (1999).

Erected 2025.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 38° 12.684′ N, 89° 59.637′ W. Marker is in Red Bud, Illinois, in Randolph County. It is at the intersection of S. Main Street and E Market Street, on the left when traveling south on S. Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 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

Photographed by Thomas Smith, August 7, 2026

2. Cowell Building Marker

Anglosphere.

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: 1860 Building (a few steps from this marker); The North County News Building (a few steps from this marker); 1860 Building & 112 East Market (a few steps from this marker); Ziebold Building (a few steps from this marker); YMCA Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ziebold Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Brumleve 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.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.