Pontiac Township High School - Pontio Yearbook (Pontiac, IL)

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From harness shop to jewelry store-this building was first the site of Young's Harness Shop. A stuffed horse was used as a model for the harnesses. The next owner of the store was Mr. H. H. Smith, Sr. who was a jeweler. The husiness was passed on to Mr. H. H. Smith, also a jeweler, who sold it to Mr. George Dur- ham, the present owner. Changing Times anti. -S 5 j Q . Ji Although changed somewhat, Sn1ith's jewelry Store still exhibits glittering jewels in the glass cases. Cruising Down the River to Mugg's Landing in a small steamer, such as the one pictured below, offered many an exciting moment in the Hold days, Located across the river from Chautauqua Park behind what is now the Eugene Meis resi- dence, the landing served as a loading and un- loading point for groups going up the river for excursions or picnics. A large barge could be at- tached to the steamer when large groups such as Sunday school classes would go on a picnic up river. A '61 Ford Qforegroundj is a big improvement over the first Model T. The Jewel Tea cilblllplllly is the city's newest grocery store Qhuilt in l960j. A X P, Kroger, l.G.A., and many independent grocery stores also have businesses in Pon- tiac.

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ss .get Ak a 21, tr at A Mill Street Bridge connected the northern business section of Pontiac with the southern residential district and farms, Originally, the Mill Street Dam was made of logs, but it was later replaced with a stone dam by Thomas Williams, owner of the mill. Time Post A footlog provided a means of crossing the Vermil- lion for confirmed pedestrians while automobile en- thusiasts used the Mill Street Bridge. On the far side ol' the bridge is the Mill Street Dam. YVater from this dam was used to run the Mfilliams Mill in the early days. Transportation facilities progressed, and Henry Ford made travel easier ton the horsesj with autos such as this Model T standing in front of the,Pontiac State Bank on the corner of Washington and Mill Streets. On dates during the l890's a fellow would hitch his best horse to the buggy and take his girl for a ride through Houder's Ford fpic- tured belowj. Located in the Vermillion River south of Pontiac, the ford was in existence until the river was dredged only a few years ago.

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