History for Sale: Elks building on the market for $299,000

An important piece of Du Quoin's fraternal history has been for sale for a while. Only now, the sign is bigger.

The Elks Lodge, now Elkhurst Apartments, is on the market. The asking price: $299,000.

I remember it like it was yesterday, but it was over 10 years ago. Investor Ace Keller had a love of that building and purchased it in a rescue operation as the Elks committee worried how in the world it could make untold thousands in repairs and maintain it.. As Keller took flack over weaving white siding around the majestic columns we stood on the boulevard and talked about it. "I don't know what to call it," he said. I threw out "Elkhurst" and that name stuck.

In another era, the lodge was home to good works, a lot of New Years eve parties, sports banquets and basketball game fifth quarters.

Years after the extreme makeover, ReMax sales agent Daniel Harshbarger details the listing.

"This is a perfect investment opportunity. Cleaning staff, maintenance crew and successful business model already in place This former Elks building has been completely remodeled into a 14 unit money making machine. Low turnover & low vacancy rate. All units come with range, refrigerator, washer, dryer, & microwaves. 11 units are one bed w/one bath that rents at $400 a month, three units are two bedroom with one bath that rent for $425 a month. All tenants are on a one-year lease cycle.

More numbers: The real estate tax bill was $4,844 last year. The building is 8,730 square feet above ground with a 4,365 square foot basement with 13,095 total square feet of living area. There ware 14 apartments with parking for four cars onsite and 10 cars offsite. The building sits on a 70-by-200 foot lot, approximately one-third acre.

The price was dropped by $50,000 to $299,000 late last summer. Wanda Keller is the seller.

Here is part of the building's heritage, much of it forgotten since the Elks moved what is now a beautifully functional and well-traveled building off of Rt. 51 north of the city.

The Elks Club was chartered in 1903 when 42 Du Quoin citizens, many of which were prominent businessmen, were initiated.

W.B. Hall was the club's first exalted ruler and Job Cook its first secretary.

Members from the Murphysboro Elks Lodge made the journey to Du Quoin on October 13, 1903, to conduct the meeting and install and seat the new members and officers. The meeting was held in the Eagles building on West Main Street, known at the time as Parks-Boeheim building.

The first permanent Elks club was located on the second floor of a building at the southwest corner of East Main and South Mulberry Streets.

The second club-- and the one perhaps best remembered by many of its members -- was on North Washington Street directly behind the U.S. Post Office. The Lodge has been the center of social activity in Du Quoin for many years and the building has been used by various civic and fraternal organizations. During the Murphysboro tornado of 1925 (March 18), the building became the headquarters for Red Cross activity in this area.

In 1932, the Elks Lodge sponsored the construction of the Elks Country Club. Several years later it became a corporation and was opened to the public. It was later to be known as Perry County Country Club. It is now known as Red Hawk Country Club.

The third, and present location, is on West Main Street.