The mansion built by Virgil Hickox in 1839 at 518 E. Capitol Ave. has been vacant since Anchors Away, the most recent restaurant to occupy the space, closed in 2023, but it is now under contract to a buyer who wants to renovate the historic building. It once housed the Sangamo Club, as well as the famous legislators’ hangout, Norb Andy’s Tabarin, known for its horseshoes, and later Anchors Away restaurant.
David Ridenour has owned the property since 2010 and oversaw the restaurant off and on in between other operators. In 2023, shortly after Anchors Away closed, he announced plans to bring back the name Norb Andy’s and the traditional menu, but that did not materialize.
Crystal Commean, a Realtor with Re/Max Professionals, had the home and adjacent restaurant space listed for sale for $295,000 until a fire the morning of Feb. 28 that damaged the third level rear area. It was taken off the market temporarily, then relisted at $95,000. Commean confirmed to Illinois Times that the property is now under contract, scheduled to close at the end of this month.
Randi Maxfield is the daughter of the late Norbert Anderson, who operated Norb
Andy’s Tabarin for over four decades. When Maxfield heard that Anthony Beltramea is
interested in purchasing the historic building, she said, “I am so happy someone is
willing to renovate the building. My parents put their hearts and souls into Andy’s for
almost 50 years, and they loved their customers and what the business meant to so
many in this community.”
Beltramea lives in Florida and is president of Home Plus in Lutz, Florida.
The property includes the original home of Virgil Hickox (1806-1880), built soon after Hickox came to Springfield in 1834. Additions were often made to the building, now on the National Register of Historic Places. It once housed the Sangamo Club, and then Norb Andy’s, starting in 1938, which catered to politicians and locals. Many claimed Norb Andy’s had the best horseshoes in town.
Hickox operated a mercantile business in downtown Springfield for over 19
years. He was a friend of Stephen Douglas and often hosted Douglas when he came to
Springfield. Hickox also knew Lincoln and signed a note with him for $16,666.67 in
1838. Hickox joined with other businessmen in 1851 to develop railroad service from
Alton to Springfield and worked until 1874 to secure rail extension to Chicago. He
served as director of the Old State Bank (1839-1841) and president of Springfield
Savings Bank (formerly at Sixth and Capitol) from 1874 until his death in 1880. In 1869,
Gov. John McAuley Palmer appointed him commissioner in the Office of the Canal, a position that put him in charge of contracts with the Chicago Michigan Canal. Hickox was also one of three men who laid out the city of Lincoln, Illinois.
“I only hope that the new buyer can bring back the amazing charm, history and personality that this beautiful old building so deserves,” Maxfield said.
Cinda Ackerman Klickna is a frequent contributor to Illinois Times and has written previously about the Hickox house.