Streator Goes Nuclear, Demolishes Gautschy's Corner After Several Failed Exorcisms

                 A Streator landmark now lays in ruins after years of unsuccessful attempts to remove the spirits that reside inside. Despite several exorcisms over years, city officials have been unable to cleanse the abandoned Gautchy’s Corner and finally choose what officials are calling the “Nuclear Option”. Even though the building is of great historical significance, time marches on, and in this case over the ruins of the once prominent business.  

                The Gautschys were a Swiss-German immigrant family who settled in Streator in the late 19th century. In 1904, Emil Gautschy opened his own grocery store at the corner of East Main Street and Illinois Route 18, which soon became a thriving business. The store was known for its high-quality products, fair prices, and friendly service. It quickly became a staple in the community, attracting both local residents and visitors passing through Streator.

Gautschy's grocery store was not only a place to buy provisions but also served as a gathering spot for people to catch up on local gossip and news. Over the years, Gautschy's Corner became a landmark in the city, and the Gautschy family played an active role in the Streator community. Beyond their business success, the Gautschys were known for their philanthropy, supporting various local charities and organizations. Despite facing the challenges imposed by the Great Depression and economic fluctuations, Gautschy's Corner managed to stay in business until the mid-1970s. However, with changing times and the rise of larger grocery chains, the store eventually closed its doors.

The problems for the location would not end here however, as the location soon became popular with a different, less lively clientele. Spirits of past customers and locals took a liking the abandoned building and set up shop causing concern among the neighboring businesses. Since the early 1980’s, Streator Police have responded to weekly calls of complaints of loud music coming from inside. Despite the heavy police presence in the area, city officials have not been able to get the location under control in the decades since the spirits took over the building.

After several failed attempts from local exorcist, an the city’s inability to raise enough funds to hire the Ghostbusters, The mayor of Streator ordered the so-called nuclear option. In a statement to Streator Mysteries she said: “Ghosts only want to live there because it’s a swanky club house for the recently deceased. If we take away the building, they will just move on, hopefully toward the light and not the nearby Dollar Tree.” It is important to note there is a rumor that an even more horrifying experience awaits the town of Streator at this location, an Arby’s restaurant.

In seemingly unrelated news, a local church St. Stephen’s Church in Streator, has been deemed an unholy place (or at least no longer a holy place) by upper management in Peoria. Rumors swirling around suggest this may be related to the failed attempts by the church to remove the spirits from Gautchy’s corner, but this has yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned for updates about this developing situation.

As for now, it seems this is the end for the long standing Gautschy’s Corner. Despite surviving the great depression, it seems it was unable to survive the ever changing landscape that is the 2020s. It is a stark reminder not to take life for granted, because you never know when the spirits will take up residence inside our vacant hearts, much like they did with the heart of Streator, Gautschy’s Corner.

                Streator Mysteries is a nonprofit paranormal journalist organization. Our stories are based on independent investigations, anonymous sources, and eye witness accounts, thus should be taken with a grain (or shaker) of salt. For legal reasons we consider ourselves a “parody” news source, but the truth is out there if you are willing to look for it. Streator Mysteries, answering the questions nobody is asking.