Photo of the Week, 54: Ike Sander’s “Short Order House,” ca. 1903-1911

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1878, Isaac Joshua Beasley Sanders came to Bloomington sometime in the 1890s. “Ike" Sanders and his first wife Allie Headley opened what's believed to be the first restaurant in Bloomington owned and operated by African Americans. The restaurant, which also doubled as a rooming house, was located at 306 South Main Street. Ike and Allie served the needs of both white and black patrons. This one-of-a-kind business closed in 1911 when Lillian passed away. Seen here are Allie Headley Sanders (behind the bar); Ike Sanders (in the middle); and Ike's sister Lillian (on the right). Sanders moved away but came back to Bloomington around 1915, and soon returned to the restaurant / rooming house business. His last ongoing concern was known as the Workingman's Club, first located on South Main Street and later 1101 West Washington Street on the city's far west side. Ike's second wife Lou Anna Brown helped run the business, which closed in 1919. Ike Sanders was featured in the Museum's 2012 edition of the Evergreen Cemetery Walk. Visit this link for a detailed look into Sanders life as a pioneering Bloomington businessman.