Barn and Bottle Winery

 

Altamont now has its very own Winery! 

The Barn and Bottle has a rustic and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the farm community that inspired it.

It's been ten years since owners Andy and Melissa Voelker planted their first grape vines. Their first batch, in 2016, yielded 24 bottles.

 Now, they are creating award-winning wines!

Besides wine, they also offer bottled beer and soda, pizza, meat and cheese, and slushies. 

 

For hours, directions, and special events (or to book an event) check out the Barn and Bottle Facebook page.

Oh, and while you're there, ask about the history of the bar! 

Snow Day!

First there was rain, then freezing rain, then sleet, then snow (8 inches, according to the National Weather Service). So it's been a messy, cold few days. 

 

Looking south on Main Street. 

View across The Triangle. 

 

Save the Date(s)-- Altamont Sesquicentennial

 

It's Fair Week and the Carnival Has Arrived!

 

Memorial Day Parade

Altamont was able to hold it's annual Memorial Day parade this year. There was a nice crowd, which was great to see. 

 

Ballard Nature Center

With everything going on, finding a little normalcy is nice. One thing we've been doing is walking the trails at the Nature Center. The Visitors' Center is closed, of course, but the trails are all open. There are pavilions and picnic tables, also. We usually go early and we've seen a number of deer, lots and lots of rabbits, and this morning we spotted a doe with her fawn and a raccoon getting a drink. This is a wonderful part of our community, so if you can toss them a couple of dollars, there is a donate button on their website. 

Check the website out here for more details. 

Luke's and Whistlestop

The fence is down and tents and tables are set up. I'm assuming it's a shared space between the two bars.

Sign of the Times-- At the Park

Reflecting the world at large at the moment, the parks are still open for walking, but the play equipment is temporarily taped off. It's an odd thing to see.

What's New?

Altamont is getting a truck stop. It won't be large because of the space allotted, but I've heard there will be a Starbucks and a Pizza Express.  

For reference, It's where Stuckey's used to be. The old sign still stands. 

Trash Pickup Schedule for Altamont

Mill Road Thresherman's Show

Summerfest!

Memorial Day Parade 2019

Schuetzenfest

Mill Road Threshermans

About Town

Just because I think it's funny--on my walk to work the other day, I spotted the neighbor's cat in their tent, enjoying the beautiful weather. 

Carter Camp

Some of the Carter Camp houses are at the end of the street I live on, and I never knew any of this until a few weeks ago when a gentleman told me he helped move the houses in. My dad was from the Loudon area and he told me stories about St. Elmo during the oil boom, but I didn't realize how much it affected Altamont. This is an excerpt from "Black Gold: The Loudon Oil Field Story" by Devin Walk at the Altamont, IL History website. Click here for the full article.

The oil boom attracted hordes of workers from Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas, and the largest oil companies in America like Shell, Texas Co. (Texaco), and Standard Oil set up operations in the area. 

By 1940, St. Elmo’s population increased to 3,000 and Altamont’s grew to 2,100. The influx of workers created a housing crisis. With a lack of vacant living space, workers rented rooms in family homes, and some workers slept on the floor in barns next to the horses.

Altamont, during this period, had a quiet, residential feel, which attracted office workers and oil workers with families. Oil workers stayed in the Altamont Hotel at the end of Adams Street, near the present-day government housing. They also lodged with Altamont residents including my Great-Grandfather, Louis Wendling who rented out two rooms of his house to workers.

In 1938, Carter Oil Company built Carter Camp, a group of houses in the northeast part of Altamont for Carter Oil Company employees and families. (Some of the Carterville houses are still standing.) 

The Halloween Season Is Here!

We had a beautiful day for the Halloween Parade! This year's parade featured a half-dozen area Bands, which I like to see. The kids in costumes joined in on Main Street for the judging. Maybe it was the wonderful weather, but there was a good crowd gathered along the route.