The Early History of Clifton
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
In the extreme southwest corner of Godfrey Township, at
Clifton Terrace Road along the riverfront, was the town of
Clifton. It was laid out by Daniel Tolman and Hail Mason (a
pioneer Godfrey preacher) in 1836, and the plat recorded October
10, 1840. Clifton boasted a good, natural steamboat landing, a
steam sawmill (which had been in operation since 1833), an
extensive steam flour mill, excellent timber, limestone,
extensive bed of free stone, and a quarry. Stone from the quarry
was used to build the Eads bridge in St. Louis. Clifton also had
an abundant supply of excellent spring water.
In 1837, Clifton comprised of a store, schoolhouse, ten dwelling
houses, blacksmith shop, and a population of 67 people. Tolman
sold his sawmill in 1837 to Alton Lumber Company, which
continued operating the mill for some time. A cement mill was
established at Clifton, and quite extensive arrangements were
made for the manufacture of cement, but it was never operated
with much success.
In 1850, Louis Stiritz settled in
Clifton after traveling in an effort to find a place that
resembled his old home in Germany. Clifton was the
site
the
selected, and he had the grounds terraced like those of his
former home. It was from the terraced terrain that Clifton
earned its new name – Clifton Terrace. Stiritz planted his
vineyards, and his wine became famous among the patrons of his
Clifton Terrace Hotel, which he established in 1874. The hotel
became a favorite resort for many Altonians and St. Louisans. It
consisted of 300 rooms, a pavilion, pool and bowling alley. The
hotel offered swimming, boating, bowling and billiards. A wine
cellar was located in a cave behind the hotel. After the death
of Louis Stiritz in 1909, his daughters, Dora, Julie, and Molly,
continued to operate the hotel until 1934, when it was sold to
Mike Whitford.
Rev. Hail Mason died in 1840 at the age of
49, and Daniel Tolman died in 1844 at the age of 45.