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

1860 Building & 112 East Market

Second and Third Floor

1860 Building & 112 E. Market Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, August 7, 2026

1. 1860 Building & 112 E. Market Marker

Inscription. The second floor has held several different business offices, such as photographers and medical providers, including chiropractor, Dr. Lonnie Williams, physician, Dr. Seeley in 1900. Dr. J.T. Reiss in 1914, and dentist.. Dr. Gijster.

The building also housed at least two different shoe factories, the Red Bud Shoe Factory in 1913, which later moved to another location, and the Mississippi Valley Shoe Co., which made shoes and slippers.

For several years, the building sat vacant and almost succumbed to a wrecking ball. In 1993, the Voges family purchased and rehabbed the building. After restoration, The Material Works Ltd. moved its offices to the second floor. Currently, the second floor houses the Red Bud Area Museum. The museum consists of eight rooms that are filled with thousands of historic items and memorabilia, plus an office and a storage room. The Old Shop Factory Room is now being used as a space for meetings, bridal and baby showers, and other specialty events, and is managed by Lieferbräu Brewery.

The third floor housed Chester Knitting Mill around the 1920s. It provided work for about 50

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young women who were well paid. Employees knitted stockings (socks) which were plaid and patterned. The factory was the reason for the installation of the elevator. The third floor was also known as the Asta Club Hall. It had a basketball court, a dance hall, and was the Opera House. Traveling troupes and minstrel shows presented their plays at the Opera House several times a year. It was also used for musicals. recitals, and other affairs. It was said that when there were a lot of people on the third floor of the building, the floors sagged so much that the doors on the second floor could not be opened. In 2016, a new elevator was installed. The third floor is now used for celebrations, weddings, anniversaries, and class reunions.

Erected 2026.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 38° 12.691′ N, 89° 59.629′ W. Marker is in Red Bud, Illinois, in Randolph County. It is at the intersection of E. Market Street and S. Main Street, on the right when traveling east on E. Market

Photographed by Thomas Smith, August 7, 2026

2. 1860 Building & 112 E. Market Marker

Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 E Market, 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.

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); Cowell Building (a few steps from this marker); Brumleve Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The North County News Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ziebold Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ziebold Building (within shouting distance of this marker); YMCA Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ziebold Building (within shouting

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distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Red Bud.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 17 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.