My first post of the series on Delavan showed the west side of the 300 block of S. Locust St. looking north. This post looks at the east side of the 300 block with the camera pointed toward the south. All of the photos in this short series are focused on the Delavan Commercial Historic District which was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1991. All in all, 20 of the 26 buildings listed in 1991 were contributing properties in the district.
Delavan, with a population of 1,924 at the 2020 census, is part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is a rural, agricultural community, that derives its name from Edward C. Delavan (1793-1871), a wealthy businessman from Albany, New York who devoted much of his fortune to promoting the temperance movement.
The oldest buildings in the district, two simple brick commercial structures, were built around 1860. The remaining buildings were mainly built later in the 19th century, with a few built during the early 20th century. The buildings mostly have either Italianate or vernacular commercial designs, as was typical for commercial buildings of the period. Several of the buildings feature decorative metal elements such as storefronts, cornices, and window treatments.
Looking at the eight buildings in this view between leading toward the intersection of Locust and Fourth St., five of the structures are contributing properties and three are non-contributing properties to the historic district. Beginning on the left, the buildings in this block are:
310 S. Locust
Although the one-story building shown here was constructed in 1900, it is a non-contributing building due to an extensive remodeling of its exterior in the 1970s. Originally a bakery, the building has been used as an automobile dealership, furniture store, TV and appliance store, swap shop, and restaurant. It is now occupied by the Common Ground Bakery.
312 S. Locust
This contributing two-story building was constructed in 1891 and was initially a meat market. The building, now for sale, has housed a restaurant, furniture store and pastry shop. Apartments are located on the second floor.
314 S. Locust
This building is the home of The Delavan Times, a weekly newspaper that has been published since 1874. The first floor of this building was constructed in 1890, with the second story added in 1891. Plans were announced in 2015 to create a museum in the building that illustrates the historic contributions of small newspapers in Central Illinois, and informs the community about the responsibility of newspapers in a democracy. Funds for the project were being sought through grant money and private donations. At present, it appears this project is on hold.
316 S. Locust
This two-story building, constructed in 1892, is non-contributing due to the horizontal vinyl siding and modern show windows on the first floor. The building was home to a succession of jewelry stores for decades. It is now the home of Zac's Sugar Shak, an ice cream parlor and candy store.
318 S. Locust
A non-contributing, single-story building constructed in 1976. Formerly a pizza restaurant and later the Delavan Cafe. The building is currently available for lease or sale.
320 S. Locust
Constructed in 1874, this two-floor brick masonry building is a contributing property. At one time, probably in the 1870s, 322 and 320 next door were one building containing a dry goods store. Probably in the late 1890s, the store separated with 320 becoming bowling lanes, followed by a clothing store, seamstress shop, a cream station, jewelry store, hardware store. grocery, consignment store, restaurant and, most recently, an antique store.
322 S. Locust
Constructed in 1874 as one building with 320 S. Locust, and becoming a separate building about 1898. This contributing, two-story, brick masonry building, was home to Berger's Department Store which closed in the early 1980s.
324 S. Locust
Located on the northeast corner of Locust and Fourth St., this contributing building was constructed in 1911. Originally a shoe store, the property was repurposed over the years as a millinery and tailoring shop, grocery store, real estate office and insurance agency. Since the mid-1950s the building has been the home of Jeckel Plumbing and Heating.
Sources:
NRHP Registration Form: Delavan Commercial Historic District
Delavan Commercial Historic District, Wikipedia (retrieved October 5, 2021)
Delavan, Illinois, Wikipedia (retrieved October 5, 2021)
Edward C. Delavan, Wikipedia (retrieved October 5, 2021)
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