Marshall Public Library (Marshall, IL)

1948

The north east corner lot at Clinton (5th) and Main (Archer Avenue) Streets north of the courthouse in Marshall was unique because for many years it was the only lot on the 500 block of Main that did not have a business building. In 1838 a house was erected by Dr. Poole and served as a residence and doctor’s office for many years. It became the Shaw residence and after it was no longer used as a home it was used for several businesses until 1927 when the house was torn down and replaced by a filling station erected by the Ohio Oil division of the Lincoln Oil Refining Company of Robinson, Illinois. Several businesses followed including J’s Coin Laundry and Cooper’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning.

Notes from Brian Murphy:
The house was originally built by Nineveh Shaw. The farm was later purchased by James C Bryan, my Great Great Grandfather. He was the first hardware store owner in Marshall. Dad and Uncle George Kile had the house torn down, they found it had walnut floor joists and poplar flooring. I have the original order for the lumber that came from Walnut Prairie. It was purchased from William B Archer. That farm had a loom shed on it where farmers brought flax to make linen material. I have a throw that was made there. The farm is now the Westwood Subdivision.