"The Talisman Petersburg" is a novel written by Russian author Aleksandr Ivanovich Kuprin. Published in 1914, the story is set in the city of Saint Petersburg, offering a captivating portrayal of its unique atmosphere and its inhabitants. Through vivid descriptions and engaging characters, Kuprin provides a captivating exploration of various social issues prevalent in early 20th century Russia. The story revolves around the main character, Pavel Miheev, an orphan who grows up in the streets of Saint Petersburg. Pavel possesses a unique talisman, a stuffed monkey, which he reveres and believes brings him luck. The talisman becomes a symbol of courage and resilience throughout the novel, as Pavel faces numerous challenges and obstacles in his quest for a better life.

Talisman steamboat

A historical marker at an Interstate 55 rest area east of Springfield remembers the Talisman’s voyage.

The Talisman, a “splendid upper cabin steamer,” left Cincinnati on Feb. 2, 1832, bound for Springfield via the Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois and — most importantly to central Illinoisans — the Sangamon rivers. The venture raised hopes that the Sangamon could be a practical shipping route between Sangamon County and bigger markets to the south and east.

To the first settlers of Illinois (transportation) was of unusual importance, on account of the vast extent of undrained soil, so rich and soft as to be almost impassible, in its natural state, for half of every year. For the transportation of heavy articles long distances, no other mode was though of except by water. They could be conveyed three or four times the distance in that way, much cheaper than on a straight line by any known method.

The Talisman duly arrived at Portland Landing near Springfield in late March, prompting an outburst of optimism for the future of Sangamon River traffic.

“Springfield can no longer be considered an inland town,” the Sangamo Journal gushed on March 29. “… The result which must follow the successful termination of this enterprise to our county, and to those counties lying in its neighborhood, it would be impossible to calculate.”

The problem was that the Sangamon’s water level fell after the Talisman arrived. As a result, even after its cargo was unloaded, the Talisman — which was 136 feet long and had a beam of 48 feet — didn’t have enough room to turn around for the return trip. It had to steam backwards for much of the 100 miles downstream to Beardstown. (Abraham Lincoln, then a resident of New Salem, was hired as assistant pilot for the return trip; he was paid $40 for his efforts.)

“The only mention ever made of her afterwards,” Power wrote of the steamboat, “was a newspaper report that the Talisman was burned at the wharf in St. Louis. … No attempt was ever made after that to bring a boat up the river.*

“Thus ended the dream of navigating the Sangamo (sic), across which a man may walk almost dry shod for nearly half of every year.”

The site of Portland Landing and the story of the Talisman’s attempt to open the Sangamon to shipping are the subjects of a historical marker at the Interstate 55 northbound rest area northeast of Springfield. Portland Landing was three-quarters of a mile west of the rest area.

*Note: Despite Power’s statement, there apparently was one more attempt to bring large-scale freight traffic to the Sangamon. The steamboat Utility went upstream in 1836, but it got stuck at Petersburg and ultimately was dismantled. As it happened, work began two years later to build the Northern Cross Railroad between Springfield and the Illinois River. Once railroads reached Springfield– the first Northern Cross train arrived in 1842 — there no longer was any need to open the Sangamon to steamboats.

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By rail or by river

SPRINGFIELD - The construction of the Illinois Central Railroad in the mid-1800s and the replica riverboat Talisman that delighted thousands of Lincoln's New Salem visitors for nearly 40 years are featured in the latest issue of Historic Illinois, a publication of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA).

The 150 th anniversary of the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, which connected the northern and southern parts of the state, was observed during 2006. The 705-mile railroad set the stage for Illinois' tremendous growth in the 1800s and the Illinois Central, now with 11,500 miles of track, remains one of the five largest railroads in the United States. The Illinois Legislature in 1851 gave a charter to the Illinois Central Railroad Company to build the line stretching from Cairo to Galena, with a branch line from Centralia to Chicago. However, the charter demanded that the railroad be completed in six years, a daunting task at the time. Bonds were sold, mainly to investors in England, to raise the $10 million needed for construction. Ten thousand workers, many of them German and Irish immigrants, were hired for the job, many of whom ended up purchasing land along the railroad and settling there. When the Illinois Central was completed in 1856, a full year ahead of the deadline, it was the longest railroad in the world. The article was written by Stanley Changnon, a semi-retired professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana who has authored numerous books and articles about Illinois railroads.

The steamboat Talisman, a replica of the riverboat co-piloted in the 1830s on the Sangamon River by Abraham Lincoln, is the subject of another article. Brothers Dennis and Robert Trone, natives of Schuyler County along the Illinois River, grew up hearing the fascinating tales of Lincoln's river exploits. In 1958 Dennis got the idea to build a Talisman replica and enlisted his brother's help, and in 1962 the completed steamboat made its maiden voyage, a 530-mile trek from Dubuque, Iowa, where it was built, to Petersburg, Illinois. The journey was fraught with many of the perils Lincoln faced in his day, including obstacles, low water levels and emergency repairs. After its much-heralded arrival in Petersburg, the Trone family offered authentic steamboat rides for nearly 40 years on the Talisman for visitors to nearby Lincoln's New Salem, the reconstructed log village where Abraham Lincoln lived for six years. Permanent declines in the water level of the Sangamon River forced the operation to cease in 1998. The article was written by Keith A. Sculle, head of Research and Education for IHPA.

The Talisman

The Talisman is a coffee shop and bakery featuring locally roasted coffee from Redbud City Coffee Roasters and offers from scratch baked goods that change daily. Talisman lunch is offered from 11am to 2pm and features unique sandwiches made with from scratch bread and house roasted meats. We will offer counter service and will not require reservations for service.

Contact Info

• (217) 386-5671
• [email protected]
• Facebook

Products

• Americano
• Baked Goods
• Breads
• Brownies
• Cakes
• Cappuccino
• Cheesecake
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Coffee
• Cold Brew
• Cookies
• Croissants
• Danishes
• Desserts
• Espresso
• Latte
• Macchiato
• Muffins
• Multigrain Bread
• Pastries
• Scones
• Sour Dough Bread
• Tea
• Comfort Food
• Gift Cards

Services

• Catering
• Counter Service
• Curbside Pickup
• Call Ahead Orders
• Handicap Accessible
• Indoor Dining
• Quick Visit
• Takeout
• Family-Friendly
• Air Conditioning

Brands

• Redbud City Coffee

Languages

• English
• German

Payment Methods

• American Express
• Android Pay
• Apple Pay
• Cash
• Personal Checks
• Debit Cards
• Discover
• MasterCard
• Visa

Questions & Answers

Q What is the phone number for The Talisman?

A The phone number for The Talisman is: (217) 386-5671.

Q Where is The Talisman located?

A The Talisman is located at 101 N 7th St, Petersburg, IL 62675

Q What is the internet address for The Talisman?

A The website (URL) for The Talisman is: https://www.broadgauge.com/talisman

Q What days are The Talisman open?

A The Talisman is open:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Q How is The Talisman rated?

A The Talisman has a 4.6 Star Rating from 13 reviewers.

The talisman becomes a symbol of courage and resilience throughout the novel, as Pavel faces numerous challenges and obstacles in his quest for a better life. Kuprin portrays the harsh realities of life in Saint Petersburg, particularly for the lower classes. He sheds light on the poverty, crime, and social inequality prevalent in the city, highlighting the struggles faced by many individuals like Pavel.

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Ratings and Reviews
The Talisman

Overall Rating

Overall Rating

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Overall Rating

Rodney Yoswig _{on Google}

We stopped in yesterday for a coffee and tea . I also had a Chai Tea Molasses cookie. Cookie was really good. Tea was hot.. Coffee was warm not close to hot. I went back to the counter and I mentioned it to the girl at the counter. She offered to microwave it to heat it, seriously at the price you charge you want to microwave the coffee. Definitely not! She never even offered to make a fresh one. If this is your way of doing business I really don't see the need to support your business.

Blanca Reyes _{on Google}

They are great! Love the vibe and their new hours! The people there are friendly and provide great customer service.

Heather Freeman _{on Google}

Love coffee and food here, it's always great. Atmosphere is wonderful and decor a perfect mix of classic and modern. Live music is always nice as well!

Mikayln Bouvet _{on Google}

Ive been coming here for months now usually about once-twice a week and unfortunately I feel as if the quality has declined over time. The espresso has become more bitter, milk too foamy for a standard latte, and the hot chocolate I ordered today tasted like warm milk. Id say 1/5th of the time recently Ive been disappointed, when before the quality was superb. Hopefully the Talisman can work on their consistency. I will say I appreciate the house made syrups and milk alternative options.

Through his writing, Kuprin exposes the corruption and hypocrisy of the upper classes, juxtaposing it with the resilience and determination of the working class. The novel also delves into the themes of love, betrayal, and personal growth. Pavel's encounters with various characters, such as the prostitute Natasha and the wealthy Baroness Aksinya, provide contrasting perspectives on love and relationships. These interactions challenge Pavel's values and beliefs, forcing him to confront his own desires and motivations. Throughout the narrative, Kuprin's storytelling prowess shines as he paints a vivid picture of the city of Saint Petersburg. His descriptions of the streets, buildings, and various locations within the city create a sense of place that immerses the reader in the story. Additionally, Kuprin's characterization breathes life into his characters, making them relatable and complex. "The Talisman Petersburg" stands as a timeless work of Russian literature, showcasing Kuprin's ability to tackle social issues with compassion and insight. It is a powerful exploration of human nature, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams in a challenging environment. The novel continues to resonate with readers, providing a thought-provoking glimpse into the complexities of society and the human spirit..

Reviews for "The Talisman Petersburg: A Powerful Amulet with Unseen Powers"

1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Talisman Petersburg". The storyline seemed promising at first, but I found it to be incredibly slow-paced and confusing. The characters lacked depth, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style also felt disjointed and at times, it was hard to follow the progression of the plot. Overall, I didn't find this book engaging or enjoyable to read.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - "The Talisman Petersburg" was a complete letdown for me. The narrative was convoluted, and I couldn't make sense of what was happening most of the time. The author failed to establish a clear atmosphere or setting, which made it difficult for me to envision the story. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, further pushing me away from the book. I had high hopes for this novel, but unfortunately, it fell short in every aspect.

3. Mark - 2/5 - I struggled to finish "The Talisman Petersburg". The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot lacked direction. The constant shifts in perspective and time made it challenging to keep up with the story. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I couldn't invest in their journeys. Although there were a few intriguing moments, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster nature of the book. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting or engaging read.

The Talisman Petersburg: A Guide to Harnessing its Energy