Angles Block

Illustration of Angle’s Block from the 1858 Bowman Map.

Advertisement for Angle’s Dry Goods published in the Central Illinois Gazette, February 1, 1860.

Angles Block
1 E Main St., Champaign
Building is no longer standing

John Harrison Angle and Charles W. Angle were a brother duo from New York. They arrived in West Urbana in 1856 and established a dry goods store in a group of buildings that became known as Angles Block. Timothy H. Toby proprietor of West Urbana’s first tailoring establishment was also located in the block of buildings. John Angle, the eldest brother, died suddenly of typhoid fever on February 16, 1860. His obituary described him as one of the “most prominent and energetic businessmen,” and his store was hailed as a “leading firm in the town and county.” After his death, Charles closed the dry goods store.

Cartoon depicting Angles Block by James F. Zumwalt. Zumwalt had a weekly feature in the Urbana Courier from 1951-1968 in which his pen and ink drawings depicted scenes from yesteryear. Please note that the date in the cartoon incorrectly states John H. Angle’s death as 1858 instead of 1860.