Look Back Springfield – BFS Edition
By Dan on Mar 30, 2009 in Blog, Family, Local
My cousin found these pictures of my grandparents and had them restored.
Andy and Francis Corcoran owned the Mecca, a tavern located at 2001 N. 11th Street, just off Peoria Road. Today, the building is home to Dude’s Saloon. I don’t know Dude, nor have I visited his saloon, but I doubt his bartenders wear ties or his waitresses look matronly.
My only memories of the Mecca are of my grandma coming home from waitressing. I also remember that my grandpa drank near beer, a non-alcoholic version of the real thing. I believe his brand was Kingsbury.
This first picture looks like a still shot taken on the set of a Frank Capra movie. Now there’s a guy you could tell your troubles to. My grandpa also used to say things such as, "keep your nose clean, Bub." He’s right out of central casting.
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Very cool pictures. What years are we talking about?
Possibly explains your affinity (bordering on infatuation) for frothy alcoholic beverages.
M.B. | Mar 30, 2009 | Reply
The Mecca, huh? Your grandparents were not Islamo-fascists, were they? Just kidding. I loved that era when the middle east and the south seas were romanticized and everywhere in society. It would be an interesting time to visit.
Gish | Mar 31, 2009 | Reply
I’m not sure of the year on these pictures.
My grandparents were Islamo-fascists before Islamo-fascists were cool.
Dan at BFS | Mar 31, 2009 | Reply
Wait. What building???? I thought the building that the Mecca was in is vacant/abandoned, across the street from Dude’s. Yours makes much more sense as the building I always thought it was looks very big to be a tavern.
Damn. Mom’s not home….
nancy | Mar 31, 2009 | Reply
I always thought that was the building. It may be covered up with a sign now, but you used to be able to see a different color of brick on the south wall, which was partially replaced when someone drove their car through it. That was after it was no longer the Mecca.
Although I could be mistaken.
Dan at BFS | Mar 31, 2009 | Reply
Now I’m even more confused than ever. I took that route to pick the kids up from school. First of all, Dude’s is not where I thought it was. I was thinking of Knucklehead’s (cue northend jokes, we sure have it coming with those two names). I called Carol and I think she agrees with you, but Laura and I are thinking of the same building further south on Peoria/9th Street. Mom is still not home!!!!!
nancy | Mar 31, 2009 | Reply
The Mecca was on the northwest corner of Peoria Road and Ridgely Avenue. I’m pretty sure it’s not a tavern, but I don’t travel that road much anymore.
Sister Mary | Mar 31, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Mary!
Just got the down low from Mom (and some from Dad):
The tavern used to be owned by Joe Yucus (sounds like another good Lithuanian name) . It was known as The Mecca then too. Attached to the tavern was the Snow White Laundry, which Dad informs is not a laundreymat, but a place where you actually dropped off laundry. Yucus owned that too. Grandpa bought the tavern, but not the laundry, in the late 30’s, early 40’s and sold it in 1969. Mom said the Mecca had a tremendous lunch crowd, especially from Cathedral Boys and some coal mine workers. Grandpa’s specialites and hot sellers were chilli, and (brace yourself….) fried turtle.
nancy | Mar 31, 2009 | Reply
More useless bar trivia knowledge. The car wash across the street from the 2nd Mecca Tavern used to be the home of the origonal Oscars Tavern. It started in 1943.
Dan Id love to see more pictures from the inside of the bar. Our club is looking for old street advertsing of the local breweries. Anything inside as well. I dont see any beer in these photos, only hard liquor.
He must have sold “hard liquor to guys that want to get drunk fast. You pixies out you go.”
Yellowdog | Apr 13, 2009 | Reply
There is a Miller Girl in the Moon tray on the counter and possibly a Reisch ball tap know on his beer tap. Some Schlitz cardboard bottle boxes.
Wish I had those today
Yellowdog | Apr 13, 2009 | Reply
Hi Dan,
I remember being at the Mecca once when we moved back to Springfield from Colorado. The memory is somewhat vague as I was only 5 or 6 at the time. I remember they had a shuffleboard type bowling game that I was very interested in. If I remember right Andy and Frances sold the bar later that year in 1970. After that Andy retired and Frances continued to waitress, I beleive at Frannies. George Drengwitz used to tell me that the Mecca used to be the oldest bar in Springfield under one owner.
Marty | May 11, 2009 | Reply
Grandma waitressed at Franny’s???
nancy | May 12, 2009 | Reply