The Brettun & Black Museum, also known as Black’s Store, is a charming shop and historical landmark along the Mississippi River in Hampton, Illinois.
Why was Black’s Store so special?
Early settlers, Brettun and Black, opened a mercantile that was quite possibly the largest store in northwest Illinois at the time. It was perfectly placed right along the Mississippi riverfront, where riverboats could stop to drop off supplies. Farmers bought food products to sell and ship to large markets, and the store supported local wooden barrel making, brick making, and coal mining.
The shop’s brick walls were covered with shelving holding all sorts of household items for sale. Its floors were cluttered with crates, barrels, showcases, and farm implements. Consumables included coffee beans, spices, baking powder, flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, honey, crackers, dried beans, local fruits and vegetables, and hard candy.
Who were Brettun and Black?
Saranus Brettun was born in Maine in 1806 and came west to this area along the Mississippi River in 1837. He was a builder and committed himself to turning the small hamlet into a prosperous riverfront town. In 1838 he had the land surveyed and laid out in lots, blocks and streets.
Francis Black was born in 1815 in Massachusetts. He arrived in Hampton in 1841 and opened a small store in a corner room of the Harvey House hotel across the street from where he would build his own store in 1849.
Brettun and Black were partners until 1858, when Mr. Brettun sold his interest to his son-in-law Dr. M. H. Crapster. That partnership was dissolved one year later, and Mr. Black became the sole owner of the store.
See Black’s Store for yourself
The Brettun & Black Museum is an amazing historical building on a picturesque riverfront plot, along The Great River Trail. See the destination for yourself. Stand in that spot and think about what a marvel this shop was in its heyday. If you haven’t been to the destination, get a sneak peek of what the shop looks like now.