Robinson Travel Guide

While visiting Robinson, my family was discussing both the Lincon Theater and the Gordon Drive-In], both operational when I was growing up in the town.

(I certainly recall the Gordon Drive-In Theater on Route #1 outside of Robinson. Alas, it was demolished...I'm sure all of us who frequented it have fond memories of what we called "the passion pit"!)

So, as we were driving toward Oblong, Illinois to go to a museum and to eat lunch, my brother-in-law informed me that Robinson now has a movie theater again.

This is not just ANY theater...it is a five-screen theater with stadium seating and digital sound.The Eagle opened in 2004. Evidently, it took much work on the part of citizens to bring a movie theater back to Robinson, starting with a market study and then continual hard work over nearly 7 years before it became a reality..

What I find really wonderful is that the Eagle Theater has named each of 4 auditoriums after previous theaters that were in Crawford County [of which Robinson is the County Seat].

The 5th auditorium is named Connie Legg [a real estate agent who worked to get this theater started. Sadly, she died from leukemia before it opened]

The Four named after previous theaters: Lincoln, the Grand, the Strand, and the Home. The first three named were theaters in Robinson at one time. The fourth one was a former Palestine theater.

The Strand [Robinson on West Main Street, 1916]. It burned on two different occasions.

The Grand [Robinson on Jefferson] started as an Opera House in 1908. Then it was turned into a movie theater, and it was razed in 1929.

Lincoln Theater was built in the very spot (114 North Jefferson) as The Grand. [in about 1929] It is the theater that I attended the entire time I lived in Robinson. Since Abraham Lincoln was a hero of mine, I remember it fondly. I especially remember the bust of Abraham Lincoln. It was closed in 1982 and demolished in 1988.

The Home was in Palestine, and I don't remember it at all.

I was told that each auditorium has one old-style theater seat in one of the first two rows. Is that not cool? [these seats came from the Lincoln Theater and was given to the Eagle by the Robinson firefighters.]

I'm so glad that Robinson finally has a movie theater again, and I'm so pleased that it honors the other theaters that came before it.

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One of the negatives that I see about Robinson is their habit of tearing down beautiful architecture and what I consider landmark places.

The one I've chosen to display this kind of destruction is the Crawford County Jail. The 1912 Jail in Photo #1 (Note: this is an artist drawing found on a post card I purchased) was, at the time, considered a state-of-the-art facility. It was made of Richardsonian stone and located on Walnut and Jefferson Streets. It served as living quarters for the sheriff's family as well as a lockup for prisoners. Sadly, this fine old building was replaced by a parking lot!.

The present Crawford County Jail (Photo #2) was built in 1988. It is located east of the post office. In my opinion, it is not a very attractive building.

The 1912 jail was not the only jail that the county destroyed, but it's just the idea that history is being erased each time an historic building is razed.

A more serious example of destroying history has to do with the razing of the George W. Jones mansion in 1967. It was built in 1881. By the 1920's it had Corinthian pillars and a covered porch. Remarkably, the inside of the home had frescoed walls that were done by a prominent artist. It was a sad day in the architectural history of Robinson.

I hope that no further razing of architecturally significant buildings will continue.

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Robinson is fortunate to have three golf courses. Although all three are great, they are quite different to play.

The first course I want to talk about is special for me because it is where I had my wedding reception in 1963 when it was simply known as the Robinson Country Club. Today, it is called the Quail Creek Country Club & Golf Resort. It is located at 1010 East Highland, Robinson, IL 62454. Telephone: (618) 544-8674.

At one time, it was one of the PGA championship Tour stops! Besides the 18 holes of Par 72 course [Bermuda fairways and Bent Grass greens; 6,612 yards in length], there is a practice green, driving range, Clubhouse, restaurant, and lodging in the form of cottages and rooms. They also have a swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, and a racquet ball court.

This is a semi-private course, but non members are allowed to play and memberships are also available.

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Oak Glenn Golf Course is located at 11234 North 600th Street, Robinson, IL 62454; (618) 592-3030. It is an 18-hole semi-public golf course. They have a a practice green and, driving range, and picnic shelter with a grill. They do have a clubhouse, but is open to members only.

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Deer Run Golf Course [Mary Heath Memorial] is a 9-hole public par 3 golf course located in Washington Park at 500 W. Condit, Robinson; (618) 544-2350. The course is a par 27 with Blue Grass fairways and Bent Grass greens. The yardage is 1,3000 yards. The pro shop is open from 9:00 am until dark from April through October.

What a surprise for me when I went into the Pro Shop and a dear friend from high school was working behind the counter. [Chloe Rae Pierce]

Depending on your skill and interest, you have three choices for golf when you come to Robinson.