Life in Altamont

Barn and Bottle Winery

2023-03-02T15:07:00.001-08:00

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!

2022-02-04T15:32:00.000-08:00

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.

Can You Believe It's Fall Already?

2021-10-14T04:27:00.002-07:00

Save the Date(s)-- Altamont Sesquicentennial

2021-08-20T18:14:00.004-07:00

Ballard's Nature Center

2021-08-12T04:18:00.004-07:00

I still go out to the Nature Center weekly, but I don't want this blog to become "everything Ballard's", so if you are interested, I have an Instagram that is mainly pictures I take on my walks. Check it out if you are interested.

It's Fair Week and the Carnival Has Arrived!

2021-08-02T16:29:00.007-07:00

Memorial Day Parade

2021-06-03T09:10:00.005-07:00

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

Spring Time!

2021-04-18T08:14:00.002-07:00

We've been walking the trails at Ballard's, enjoying the early flowers. The bluebells have been especially lovely, lining the trail and spreading out between the trees.

Need out of the house? There are picnic tables by the creek, or up at the visitors' center. Grab the picnic basket and spend a few hours with nature.

Morning Walk

2020-09-08T11:05:00.004-07:00

I wish I had a better camera. (It would help if I'd quit dropping them!) But here's a picture of the little fishing pond at Ballard Nature Center.

If you're in the area, I encourage you to explore the trails. And if you can, please toss a few dollars their way. It is such a lovely place and so well maintained.

Visit the Ballard Nature Center website to make a donation.

Ballard Nature Center

2020-07-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

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

2020-06-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

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

2020-04-12T16:22:00.001-07:00

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?

2020-04-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

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

2019-11-25T07:08:00.001-08:00

Mill Road Thresherman's Show

2019-08-07T03:36:00.001-07:00

Summerfest!

2019-06-05T03:17:00.002-07:00

Memorial Day Parade 2019

2019-06-03T02:44:00.001-07:00

Local Real Maple Syrup!

2018-02-21T16:19:00.001-08:00

more info here

Small Business Saturday!

2017-11-20T10:31:00.000-08:00

Small Business Saturday (November 25th) special!

Clip this coupon (or just show the checker the picture on your phone!) and receive 10% off any $20+ purchase!

Plus, share the FaceBook post [here] and be entered for a $25 gift certificate!

Schuetzenfest

2017-09-25T15:07:00.001-07:00

Mill Road Threshermans

2017-07-20T03:02:00.001-07:00

About Town

2017-06-09T10:16:00.001-07:00

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

2017-06-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

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.)

New S&W Supermarket Website!

2017-01-07T09:19:00.004-08:00

S&W Supermarket

Update

2017-01-03T04:25:00.002-08:00

Sorry I haven't been posting much. I didn't have a car for awhile and now that I have my car back, I've broken my camera! Fingers crossed, I'll get myself sorted soon and start posting pictures again!