U.S. Route 40
Greenup, IL 62428Founded by Charles Clark Ormsby. From the Cumberland County History:
'Mr. Ormsby founded Oak Grove Lodge in 1921. For the first two summers meals were served on the front porch and the front room of his home. Being successful in this venture he decided to expand and in 1923 began building a series of log cabins in a large grove of trees, mostly oak and hickory. Each cabin had the name of a President. The dining room, also long became famous for country cured ham, which was cured on the premises, and country fried chicken. People came from as far away as Effingham, Terre Haute and Mattoon for Sunday dinner. About 1930 another building was added for a pottery display and several kinds of art and garden pottery were on display for sale. The business was somewhat seasonal and many of the local school teachers worked during the summer break. Oak Grove Lodge was known as a tourist court and was the first of it's kind between Indianapolis, Ind. and Kansas City, Misouri.'
Each log cabin was named after a U.S. President (although at least one was named after presidental also-ran William Jennings Bryant).
His daughter Lelia Mae Ormsby ran the business until her death in 1954.
In 1956 Oak Grove Lodge was torn down and a new motel built on its site. That motel burned down in 1964. Another motel was built, but it is now closed.
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Oak Grove Lodge. Postcard ca. 1940.
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Oak Grove Lodge. Postcard ca. 1950.
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Oak Grove Lodge. Postcard ca. 1940.
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Oak Grove Lodge. Postcard ca. 1940.
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Oak Grove Lodge. Postcard ca. 1930.
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