The Mallard Club...

P

Pat Gregory

Well-known member
We had a work day at a duck club this weekend along the Illinois River. To get to our cabin, we pass through the town of Goofy Ridge. At the top of the hill, before you get to our gate sits the Mallard Club, a small block building tavern that has been there for years. It's very quaint and rustic with a hitching post outside for any horseback riders who frequent it. I've driven by that place for over 20 years and every time I do, I want his sign... If you're ever in Goofy Ridge, Illinois, stop by and visit this piece of river history...

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Pat that is a very cool sign and establishment. Had to Google 'Goofy Ridge', and found this:
Goofy Ridge, Illinois is a unique cultural geography experience with an interesting and colorful history. The settlement area originally started as an area where local moonshiners could come and hide out from the law and sample the local "mash products" and do a little hunting and fishing in the process of deciding who had the best recipe. The settlement was originally just called "the Ridge" until an infamous incident changed the name forever. Legend has it that a game warden and his buddies had been heavily imbibing the local brew when he bet his friend that he could shoot a walnut off the top of his friend's head with a .22 rifle. The friend was drunk enough to allow him to place a walnut on his head and they both swayed back and forth as the game warden took aim with his rifle swaying in the process himself and fired splitting the walnut in two. A newspaper writer wrote about this story in the Peoria paper and said that this action was, "one damned goofy thing to do " and the name stuck and it has been called Goofy Ridge ever since.
A lot of colorful history in your neck of the woods.
Also the club is up for sale, maybe you can make an offer on just the sign.
Best - Paul
 
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Pat,
I would have wanted to be that guy who sat in the corner and just listened to all the duck hunting stories that were told in there. Without a doubt the stores became more embellished as the wee hours of the night waned.
Al
 
Tom - if the sign read Bluebill Club, I'd already own it... ;)

Paul - thanks for the great history! Griz, the owner, has had it up for sale for several years now. We're still hoping the right investor will find it... By the way, what road do you take to get to our duck club? Mallard Lane of course!!! Also, local lore has it that Al Capone used to hide out in the Ridge back in the day when the heat was on...

Al - we were in there once and a couple came in on horseback. Good thing the horse knew the way home...
 
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Pat-

You just evoked some fine memories of a hunt last year. That is a very special area that you have and hunt. I have also had a craving for some fried Bluegill recently too.

Chad
 
Chad - I too have great memories. I experience nothing greater than taking dads and their sons, or daughters, hunting. It's the best. And, yes, part of the experience is going to The Shed in Buzzville. Where else can you get deep fried bluegill...

Blessings to you and your family... Pat
 
I have had my eye on that sign for years . The first time I was in there was to meet a friend,a local. I arrived first and walked in alone and it was like the place came to a dead stop. I walked up to the bar ordered a beverage got a dirty look with my change. I smelled like I was from Chicago and river town taverns dont appreciate big city dudes. Bartender came buy to see if I needed another round. I said sure ,the guy I am here to meet is late. when he asked who I was waiting for I told him. He knew the guy very well and It was like , OK hes one of us. I was in there a few more times without a problem.
 
Paul - thanks for the great history! Griz, the owner, has had it up for sale for several years now. We're still hoping the right investor will find it... By the way, what road do you take to get to our duck club? Mallard Lane of course!!! Also, local lore has it that Al Capone used to hide out in the Ridge back in the day when the heat was on

Pat same net search had the area Reverend telling a story of how his plumber Uncle was picked up by some of Capone's boys to fix the pipes in Al's cabin. Apparently they blindfolded him to and from and he lived to pass the story on.
Great history.

Best - Paul
 
Bob - Great story. That is the way things are in The Ridge. I don't think they've got the message yet in the river taverns that Illinois is a smoke free state in bars and restaurants. I'm not going to tell them...

Paul - I was with a guy Saturday night from Forest City that told me a Capone story regarding how they used to dump buckets of corn where he hunted to enhance his hunting... Lots of interesting history and lore in that part of the river...

If you want a fun and quick read about a legend from that area of the Illinois River, pick up the book, The Last of the Market Hunters by Dale Hamm and Dave Bakke. This read is about local legend Dale Hamm, his life and his antics. You'll laugh. He was an interesting character to say the least. I was fortunate enough to meet him before he passed. One day we were running the river and we stopped at the Floating Barge in the Bath Chute. Legend has it that Dale used that barge to run ducks to Chicago in peach containers in the market gunning days... http://www.amazon.com/Last-Market-Hunters-Dale-Hamm/dp/0809320762 The story about the dynamite is the best. I won't ruin it for you...

Enjoy! Pat
 
Hi Pat,
Our duck hunting spot is on Quiver very close to the old Mallard Club. We still spend a fair amount of time at Gudat's in the Ridge. In the 30+ years of hunting that area, I've been privy to some tremendous "old timer" tales from some of the river rats from Pekin, Havana, etc... Thanks for sharing.
 
TJ - Good to hear from our friends at the south end of the refuge. If you're ever up on the north end, let me know. I'm in the Wing & Feather Club right off the north end of Chautauqua... Pat
 
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