2002

The Gauer Building

229 West Main Street

Staunton, Illinois

The oldest building still in use on Staunton's Main Street, the Gauer Building was built prior to 1860 by John Gauer.  It was one of the pioneer inns or taverns in the village.  Living quarters for the Gauer family were on the second floor.  The building is of red brick and it appears that the back section, which at one time served as an icehouse, might possibly have been built as early as 1843.  There was a well in the rear of the building that was used by many to water their horses when they were shopping.  Legend has it that anyone who drank from this well would eventually return to Staunton.

Over the years, the Gauer Building has housed many different businesses.  Tony Schmidt had a tavern there during the early 1900s, the Ficker Brothers made it into a grocery store, and later it became the Colonial Corner Restaurant & Bar (Jessie Foster had the restaurant and Dean Hutchins had the bar).  Under the ownership of Velina Brumme, it became Vee's Fabrics.  Carmen Sievers bought the shop and changed the name to the Fab Shoppe.  Noel Fritz later made it into Colonial Antiques.  It is presently the home of Cisler & Associates Real Estate, Inc., owned and operated by David Cisler