Dear Readers,
Mary Kay and I drove to Belleville, Illinois in March 2015 to research train depots and peaches.
The historic Eckert’s Farm and Store (1837-2020+) it outside Belleville, Illinois and we had a lovely lunch at their coffee shop next to the produce store. Eckert Peaches, which are truly wonderful and memorable, occur in several chapters in The Bonnet Book. (#5,#9)
We visited the St. Clair Historical Society in Belleville and were warmly received by volunteers Ann and John Glover. We spent an hour looking at old depot photos, etc.
There was a small museum off in one room. I stumbled upon an exquisite long white dress with a crocheted bodice. I looked at this a long time, knowing it was going to be important to me…and I took many pictures. See what happens in Chapter #23.