October 30, 2011
Editor:
Dave Uphoff
A large part of Minonk history was consumed in flames this past week as a terrible fire destroyed seven buildings in the northeast corner of Fifth and Chestnut. The fire tore the heart out of downtown Minonk and left Minonk residents in a state of disbelief and shock. For people of my generation who grew up in the 1950's, the fire removed a vestige of the past when Minonk was an idyllic Mayberry RFD and "bank corner" was the center of Minonk where people would congregate in the evening to socialize and watch cars from all over the central part of the United States pass through town on old Route 51.
The Chocolate Shop and then Liners was a place to meet for lunch or dinner. The Minonk State Bank, Hayes Drug Store, Hewitt Hardware, Johnson's Barber Shop, the Morrison Agency, the Minonk Post Office, and Bill Terry's Shoe Repair are all part of that history as are the more recent businesses of Meyer-Jochums Agency, Leiken Law Office and Dr. Naik's dentist office.
The fire was another cruel blow to a community hard hit by events that have changed all small towns. The advent of metropolitan shopping centers and Walmarts along with better roads and transportation has hurt the small business community. Those of us who remember Minonk during the 1950's certainly are sad to see the loss of so many retail stores.
The fire demonstrated the community spirit that exists in Minonk when local volunteers, including students from Fieldcrest High School, helped Dr. Naik move the contents of his dentist office to another location after being given 3 hours to vacate the building so it could be demolished.
We give thanks to the fire fighters from Pontiac, El Paso, Gridley, Roanoke, Benson, Eureka, Metamora, Flanagan, Wenona, Toluca, Rutland, Dana, Secor, Lostant, Washburn, and Minonk for their efforts in fighting this terrible fire. This cooperative spirit is invaluable for the support and well being of small communities. We also express our gratitude to the Red Cross who was there to help out. We are thankful that no one was injured in the fire.