DIXON'S MAIN STREET - 1854
In late 1854, Dixon’s Main Street was a beehive of activity. The
anticipation of the iron horse, soon to be connecting Dixon with the
rest of the world in the trading and manufacturing of goods was just
around the corner.
The merchants were starting to capitalize on want ads and
personals in the columns of the Telegraph newspaper. Many had found
that this was an easy and effective way of letting their customers
know what was happening in the business district of Dixon. Here are
just a few of those that were printed 143 years ago. Any misspelled
words are as they appeared back then.
The undersigned proprietors of the Nachusa House would
respectfully inform the public that the above named house situated
near the Courthouse (in the most pleasant and elevated part of the
town, commanding a beautiful view of the surrounding country), being
now finished in good style is open for the accomodation of all who
may please to call. They flatter themselves by their unremitting
exertion for the accomodation of their guests to merit a share of the
public patronage, Denlinger and Miller.
Shawls, shawls at reduced prices. A large stock of woolen shawls
from four to ten dollars each just the thing for cold weather, B. F.
Burr.
An eating saloon has been fitted up in superior style at the
Shades where every variety of game, oyster, sardines, roast meat, hot
coffee, pies and etc., will be served up at all hours. A partition
has been placed at the entrance where visitors can pass through to
the eating saloon.
Notice is hereby given that as my wife, Catherine, has left my
bed and board without provocation, I will not pay any debts of her
contracting. Martin Rawin.
The subscriber keeps constantly on hand, a supply of the best
Vermont marble for tombstones which he will funish with inscriptions
to order at as low price as can be obtained at any place west of
Chicago. Ed Jamieson.
To our friends, please come and settle with us, either by note of
money, it will not offend us if it should happen to be all cash, as
we are in want of a little of the needful, Your respectfully J. W.
and B. L. Davis.
Pay up! Having waited as long as he can in justice to himself,
the undersigned now takes this method of informing those who are
indebted to him that they must "pay up" or suffer the consequences.
C. Brookner.
N. Young and Co. beg to intimate, to the inhabitants of Dixon and
surrounding country, that they have opened a yard on the bluff
opposite the Hoffman House Peru for the sale of lumber, shingles,
lath, salt by wholesale and retail.
Sugars, 10 pounds, sugar for one dollar and fine articles at the
people's cheap store, Main Street, Watson and Co.
Gents plain and fancy shirts, collars, summer drawers and fine
gauze, cotton and mearon under shirts for sale by R and W on Water
Street.
J. B. Waxham's daguerreotypes room is Messrs. Ayres &
Barnes's new stone store, third story, Main Street, Where he may
always be found, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., ready and happy to wait on
such as favor him with their patronage; he would return his sincere
thanks to the public generally for their liberal patronage and still
solicit the same. J. B. Waxham.
Tailoring Establishment - we the undersigned beg leave to inform
the citizens of Dixon and the public in general, that we carry on the
above business in a practable style that cannot be surpassed in the
West. Shop opposite the Dixon House.
N.B. We shall also keep on hand a good assortment of clothes,
cassimeres, doeskins and vestings of the latest style. Gentlemen,
please step in and leave your measures, if you wish a good fit.
Cutting done at the shortest notice. T. Hotchkiss and T. Dolan.
Brushes, hair, tooth, nail, shaving and blacking for sale
reasonable by H. G. L.
By the 1880s, no advertising was more than one column wide. It
featured small type and tiny illustrations. In the next 50 years
advertising saw great changes. Sizes, type and illustration all grew
larger, but many ads still appeared on the front page. These ads
wouldn't compare, with those of today.
In 1902 the Christmas announcement of the Dixon Mercantile Co.
claimed to be the "Originators of Reasonable Prices." The company's
ad read: For the benefit of holiday shoppers this store will be open
every evening. The Best of Everything for Christmas. This the
greatest, offers the Greatest Stock to select from. The Greatest
Values. And over this store the holiday spirit prevails. Each
department has taken on a festive appearance. The great stocks of
bright new holiday merchandise are on display here. You'll find here
appropriate gifts which will delight every member of the family.
Novelties, Russeties, Oddities, New Ideas, Pretty Things, Appropriate
Things, Useful Things, Beautiful Things. Our stocks are large enough
and prices small enough to suit all kinds of people with all kinds of
pocket books.
The meat department of the local mercantile company would enjoy a
good business. The store listed porter house, sirloin and round steak
at 12 1/2 cents per pound or three pounds for 25 cents. Rib roast was
8 1/2 cents, while loin cut pork chops were going for 10 cents.
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