May 15, 2024
May 10th, 2024, the Pike County Chamber & Economic Development Corporation were kind enough to help Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials cut the ribbon and present the Grand Opening of our Pike County offices, REACHOUT Thrift Store, and food bank. The turn out was fantastic with representatives from our staff, board, local officials, community, funding organizations, and local media.
Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials has community partners to thank. Without their help and dedication, TRRC could not have completed this project and continue to serve our mission.
“Two Rivers Regional Council is thrilled to announce the official reopening of our historic building in Pike County today (May 10th, 2024). With a rich history spanning 130 years, this building has served as a hub for entertainment and local businesses. As we commemorate our 50th anniversary this year, we take pride in the fact that we have been providing essential community services for 33 years from this very location in Pike County. We extend our sincere appreciation to The County of Pike Illinois, The Tracy Family Foundation, and Liberty Bank for their generous contributions towards the remarkable revitalization of this building. Additionally, we would like to express our thanks to everyone at the Findley Place Apartments and John Wood Community College for graciously allowing us to utilize their facilities during the construction process. A special thank you is also in order for Joe & Jonas Petty and their dedicated crews for the exceptional craftsmanship displayed in the renovation of this building. Their hard work and attention to detail have truly transformed the space. Lastly, we would like to thank the staff and the local community for their understanding and patience throughout the renovation process. Your support has been invaluable and we are grateful for your cooperation. We’re extremely proud of the way this project turned out and we look forward to offering services out of this location for many years to come.”
– Jeremy Oshner, Executive Director Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials
In 1894, The KP (Knights of Pythias) Opera House was built by Clay Kibler, costing $7500. The dirt from the excavating of the Opera House was used to grade around the new courthouse with a red dome that was being built at the same time. KP Opera House and Castle officially opened on Jan 10th, 1895, with the vaudeville act ” Lost in New York”.
In the1900s, Burr Swan (member of KP) purchased and converted it into a movie house, showing silent films.
1913-16 saw the first remodel of the building.
In 1917, Clark Armentrout purchased the theater. From 1920-1937, Mr. Armentrout renovated the theater adding air conditioning and other modern amenities. On 6-11-1937 a glass front was added to the theater. Mr. Armentrout named it the Clark Theater. In1959, there was a marque fire. Mr. Armentrout died in 1960, and theater closed.
The building was sold to the Greenburg Corporation. The John Green Store opened in April of 1960.
Then in 1964, PN Hirsch opened for business in the location.
In 1983, a Dollar General store moved into the building.
Dollar General moved to a new location in 1990.
In December of 1991, The Greenburg Trust sold the building to the Two Rivers Council Foundation.
The building has housed various TRRC operations since.
During the summer of 1993, the building was used as a flood relief station.
After making structural improvements to the interior and exterior of the building, we officially closed the building in August of 2023 to begin the façade project. The building was able to reopen to the public on March 1st, 2024.
We are amazed with the result and hope the community is happy with it as well. Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials wants to thank the Pike County Board, Tracy Family Foundation, and Liberty Bank for their support and funding for the project. We also want to thank Petty Construction Company, Architechnics Inc, and John Petty & Sons Custom Builders for the beautiful, finished product.
The REACHOUT Thrift Store, Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials Offices and the Food Bank are currently running out of the building.
