In the winter of 1832 Col. Matthew Rogers completed contruction on a two-story, frame building in the new town of Athens, Illinois. Into this structure he moved the Rogers Post Office from his home (changing it's names to Athens Post Office) and opened a general store. The upper story was a large community hall.
During his tenure as postmaster at nearby New Salem Abraham Lincoln would often stop at the Rogers building to pick up any mail going to New Salem. In 1837 the famous "Long Nine", led by Lincoln, (the nine Sangamon County legislators whose collective height was 54') successfully lobbied to relocate Illinois' capital from Vandalia to Springfield. On August 3, 1837 they were honored for their efforts at a banquet held in the hall above the Rogers store.
