Living in Grand Chain

[Chipper]

I don't see alot of people on this forum, so I don't know if this will get answered or not but do you think Grand Chain is a nice place to live, a nice place to raise a family? I nkow its very small so where so most of the people go to work at?
Thanks

[josh]

most people normally find jobs in metropolis or paducah, KY. i havn't lived around that area for about 10 yrs so i can't help on how the town is.

[Jerry Inman]

I think its a nice town. But there is not much around here for teens to do. Ps. What happened to the Lodge out by the river. That was alot of waisted money.

[Thelbert Moss]

I have grew up in Olmsted,Il.,Ilove the area. The biggest drawback is the area is not conducive to retaining it's young people.There were no theaters in the area,rec centers ect, thanks in part to local politicians.Jobs were available to those who qualify.

Jackson,Mi.

[Karen Riley Hall]

Jerry Inman wrote:

I think its a nice town. But there is not much around here for teens to do. Ps. What happened to the Lodge out by the river. That was alot of waisted money.

Jerry, Good question about the lodge. My family still retains property near the area and when we would visit it was a nice place to have a good meal and meet with other family. I had heard recently that the latest managers had lost a great sum of $ and so the lodge closed. I don't know if it was a lack of publicity, locale or what that really put the hurt on. There were 2 nice cabins just recently finished overlooking the river and I have heard that the campground is still in operation.
It is a terrible waste and we had so hoped that the lodge would be a big economic boost for the area. The area really needed it.

[Deb]

I love Tick Ridge Road and have always wanted to live there. I live by Chicago but hope someday I will be able to move to the Grand Chain/Tick Ridge area.

[Mattie]

I like the Grand Chain area. The Civic Club is trying to do improvements and promote community involvement, i.e. "Grand Chain Days" (Sept. 27). There are plans for a coffee shop. The old jail has been renovated. Yes, its rural and jobs in the immediate area are not plentiful. You also have to drive to larger towns for shopping. However, the people are friendly and it's country living. Too bad about the Lodge, but there is Tony's Family Restaurant nearby at the Karnak Wye. Good food at a good price.

[dixieb]

I read in the paper the other day that someone has reopened the lodge restaurant. Supposedly the lady that owned and fried fish at Hoot's in Karnak is working for them. That should bring in a little more business. It really is a nice place, hope they do well.

[Roger Light]

I lived in Grand Chain from 83-85 and attended Shawnee CC. We rented a house from the George family. They were like another set of parents to us. Would love to hear what Grand Chain is like today. We would shop at Huebotters and Roach's General stores. It was the one of the most happy times in my life. Sometime we would go to Hoot's drive in up the road (37) a piece and eat and hang out. Then when we turned 21,would slip into the Spur Inn and Casino Club for a cold one! Really miss those days. Could one of you "locals" give me an update on good ole Grand Chain?

[Silver Arrow]

Grand Chain is a wonderful place. We raised our shildren on the river with great neighbors and people at Ohio chapel church helped to teach values to the kids. No dope heads etc.
Everyone obviously does not mind the drive to Paducah, Anna or Metropolis to work. That is the reason we bought our home place there in 1978. The educational opportunity is second to none. Century School and Shawnee Community college have been a blessing.
The Grand Chain lodge was built with several different grants over a period of several years. The Pulaski County Development Association ran it at first and after several openings and closings with various managers they finally got smart and realized that they are Farmers (mostly) and not experts in that endevour.
The presant managment are a group of family and friends with a background of business. They have a contract that gives them the exclusive say in how the lodge is run. If it is a success I believe the plan is to buy it. It is open at different hours similar to Giant City Park Lodge. So one just needs to call for reservations (walkins are okay if they are open) Look them up in the phone book.
Pulaski County still owns the campground, cabins and the boatramp on the landing.
Chow!

[April-Grand Chain area]

Grand Chain is small, but we like it. Don't mind the drive to bigger places for work, shopping, etc. In answer to request for update on the area: Huebotter's Store is still open, Roach's has closed. Hoot's Drive Inn is now a package liquor store (different owners), the Casino Club burned down, the Spur Inn is now Tony's Family Restaurant (a great place to eat!). Shawnee Community College is doing some expansion and seems to be doing well. The Lodge has had its struggles, but has reopened again.

[someone outthere]

Casino Club closed down the day Mary Sargent died..she was the one with the liquor licenses.

[Out of Grand Chain]

I don't think the Casino Club burned down it shut down when the owener passed away,a couple of years ago. I lived outside of Grand Chain for most of my life, I loved Grand Chain it is a small town but the people are great.

[Joshua K Reagor]

If you ever get interested in Real Estate in the area. I run the United Country Real estate office in the area, Metropolis, IL. Just give me a call and we can discuss what you are looking for. Tick Ridge is a very popular area around Grand Chain.

[Steve Heisner]

I grew up all my young life on Tick Ridge. Some of the dearest and most loyal people in the world live there. My Dad and Sister still live there. The Ohio Chapel congregation and Pastor Tammy (Helm) Horn would love to have you come and join them. It's a beautiful little church full of loving, caring Christian folks. What breaks my heart is the fact the little town has met the fate of so many small towns (somewhat like Karnak where I live)- even with the best of intentions and people working hard to make improvements, the economy and need for young people to look elsewhere for employment takes its toll. I took piano lessons from Mrs. Millie McIntire from the time I was five years old. I would walk up the street from my Grandmother's and it looked like a street out of Leave it to Beaver. A lovelier community you would never find. I still have many family members and wonderful friends there - super folks! I know they would welcome you and you would fine a great place to rear your children. God bless Grand Chain (and Karnak, too!).