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OHS Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 2, July 1997
In this issue: Officers and Directors, 1996-1997
Newsletter Editorial Staff
President's Message I am pleased to announce that at the June 2, 1997 City Council meeting, the Council voted to extend a lease to the O'Fallon Historical Society for the building on the corner of State and Lincoln (the old Library building). The term of the lease will be for five years with the amount of the lease to be one dollar per year. Other details of the lease will be finalized in the near future. Please thank Mayor Graham and the Council members for their support of the Society. After the lease is completed, the membership will be able to purchase equipment and supplies that will enhance the Museum and exhibits. Since this will be the last newsletter during my term as president, I want to express my appreciation to everyone who has volunteered his or her services to the Society. Volunteers are the backbone of an organization, and the Society has many to thank for the accomplishments achieved. Special thanks to Mary Helen Bevirt and her committee for the very successful "Silent Auction." The Society is short of its goal of having 125 members. It would be great if each member would introduce just one person to the benefits of joining the O'Fallon Historical Society. One can express pride in the knowledge that each member of the Society is helping to preserve the history of the O'Fallon area. I would like to end this message with this quote from former Illinois Governor Adlai E. Stevenson (September 20, 1952, Richmond, Virginia): "We can chart our future clearly and wisely only when we know the path which has led to the present."
Maurice A. Hesse
Ways and Means Thank you to all members and others who have made this a good year so far. The monthly 50/50 drawings have totaled $71.50 for these first six months. The traveling basket has brought in $45.00. The Silent Auction, on April 15, was a huge success thanks to our hard working committee, other committees, individual volunteers, and friends in the community. The Telephone Calling Committee, for instance, reached many members who responded generously with their time, cash gifts, and many items for the auction. A special thanks goes to Dolly Hesse and Jo Shaw, who canvassed O'Fallon businesses and received many "goodies" including cash, other gifts, and gift certificates. Thank-you notes have been sent to the businesses for their super gifts. Special thanks also go to the approximately twenty volunteers who set up tables and arranged the items for sale; to the kitchen help who served cake and drinks; and to Doris Johnson for her program on the history of the United Church of Christ, where the Auction was held.
Silent Auction profits as of May 19, 1997: Clearly the O'Fallon community supports the Historical Society and its museum. Submitted by Mary Helen Bevirt for the Ways and Means Committee: Charles and Mary Helen Bevirt, Martha Bode, and Jo Shaw.
Catalog Committee The Catalog Committee has catalogued over 1800 pieces of history. We want to thank each and every one who has donated to our museum. Come in when you can and see our collection.
Exhibit Committee There is always something new on exhibit at the museum. The committee regularly changes the displays and sees that you always find something new and interesting. Our doors are open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please visit.
Membership Committee Our membership as of May, 1997 is:
New members this year are: Bank of O'Fallon Life members are: Bank of O'Fallon We welcome new members! President Maurice Hesse has set a goal of 125 members by the time his term as President ends. Let's see that we accomplish that goal. A membership application is on the last page of this newsletter.
Special Saturday Public Programs In the Fall of 1996, the Historical Society formed a committee to present programs on historical topics. The first programs were presented in 1996 on the Fire Department, the Willard Stove Foundry, and the Taylor Opera House. Special programs presented to date in 1997 were as follows: On Saturday, February 1st, Brian Keller spoke on John Mason Peck. Mr. Peck was a pioneer, missionary, and educator. He settled in Rock Springs in 1822 and founded the Rock Springs Seminary in 1827. He was the first O'Fallon Postmaster. On Saturday, March 1st, Gary Fantini gave a talk on the B&O Railroad and the O'Fallon-Lebanon Electric Railroad (the streetcar line). In 1827, the B&O Railroad became the first common carrier between Baltimore, MD, and St. Louis. On September 15, 1903, the streetcar line between Lebanon and French Village opened for passenger service. On Saturday, April 5th, Ralph Keller informed us of the history of the O'Fallon cemeteries. In the 1860s, the Mace, Tiedemann, and Catholic cemeteries were developed. In 1945, the City of O'Fallon took over management of the Tiedemann and Catholic cemeteries. On Saturday, May 3rd, Ron Stein spoke on sports in the O'Fallon area. In the 1860s, Gun Clubs were formed. In the early 1900s, the first organized baseball team was formed, called the Comets. Girls' sports were beginning to form by 1904. The public is invited to attend the special Saturday programs at 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month. The O'Fallon Historical Society is located at the corner of Lincoln and State Streets and is open on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Submitted by Jo Shaw. Committee members: Jo Shaw, Ralph Keller, Gene Thomas, Fred Wiechert.
Cemetery Project Restoration of Rock Springs Cemetery, east of O'Fallon, was continued with volunteer help from a large number of Society and community members. Many local businesses contributed to the effort by donating money, food, or materials. The work for the summer is focused on managing the foliage and restoring as many headstones as possible. The principal projects for this coming fall will be use of ground penetrating radar to attempt to locate unmarked graves in the cemetery, so that they can be marked, and grass planting. Special thanks to Tom and Rose Brennan for their skill and dedication to headstone restoration. Special thanks also to Bill Peach, who saved many people many hours of work by providing his equipment and skill for removal of heavy tree trunks and stumps.
O'Fallon Business History I hope that the next time you come to the museum, you will look at my History of O'Fallon Businesses, Book 1. I have taken pictures of most of the businesses in O'Fallon. The book is divided according to streets. Book I covers State Street through Sixth Street. Each business has a picture and a page telling about that business. The date at the front of each item is the date that the item appeared in The Progress or other paper, as noted. I also have included an older picture if I found one. If you find an error or an omission, please note it on the paper at the front of the book so that I can check it and make the necessary correction. We invite you, as a member, as well as the general public, to come to see our displays and also learn more about O'Fallon by looking in some of our books. We have notebooks covering O'Fallon Mayors, Fires, Churches, Schools, Veterans, Mines, Independent Engineering, Streetcar and Trains, and others. At our June meeting, we had "Trivia" questions. Come - learn about O'Fallon - and maybe the next time you will know some of the answers!
Looking Back According to the 1954 Centennial book, the population of O'Fallon soon discovered they had no hall adequate to meet the needs for entertainment, public meetings, and the like. There was considerable opposition to the proposed new Town Hall, but it finally carried and the present Town Hall was constructed at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Washington Street in the fall of 1890. It was dedicated on December 31, 1890. In 1898, the wooden porch was removed, the front filled in with red cinders, and a large stone was placed in front of the door. The Progress reported that "it helped the looks of the place." In 1917, carpenters razed the stage and the Southern Illinois Light and Power Company installed new lighting fixtures. In 1957, the City Hall was remodeled. Walls were paneled, ceilings were lowered, new lighting was installed, and a new floor and tiling were put in. A new counter was built and new office furniture was purchased. In 1958, the second floor of City Hall was remodeled. In 1960, the back end of the City Hall, which had housed the fire truck, was made into police headquarters and a place for water department equipment. In 1962, Bel-O-Heating and Cooling installed a central air conditioner. The Fire Station was built in 1954, and the Police Station was built in 1977-78. The new City Hall was dedicated on June 25, 1997. Items of Interest Visitors On February 3, 1997, the museum was visited by a Cub Scout Troop of 8. On March 25, 1997, the St. Clare School Brownie Troop #1255 and leaders visited the museum. On May 30, 1997, the 4th grade of Hinchcliffe School (55) and their teacher Dixie Keck, a member of the Society, visited the museum. Doris Johnson took pictures of the children and helped them tour the museum. A special display is at the museum of the pictures and thank-you letters received from the children. Trivia At the regular meeting on June 17, 1997, Doris Johnson gave a fun program by having trivia questions for the group. Samples: What years did the street car run in O'Fallon? (1903-1925) What year was the first land bought for the Community Park? (September 24, 1924) Cemetery The Cemetery Restoration project will be entered in Midwest Living magazine's contest for Hometown Projects. Other News Items Two display shelves have been donated by Thomas Hardware -- many thanks. An American Flag was purchased by the Society. Meetings will now be opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Ronald E. Meyer of Sign Effects Inc. has offered to paint lettering on the widows and doors of the Historical Society building. This generous gift is much appreciated. President Maurice Hesse has asked that members please sign the sheet posted on the wall of the Historical Society building to take their turn keeping the museum open for visitors. May 18th was the 9th anniversary of the O'Fallon Historical Society. The O'Fallon Public Library is sponsoring a window painting contest for the children of O'Fallon. The children entering the contest are to paint pictures depicting the books they have read. O'Fallon businesses were asked to allow the children to use their windows. The Historical Society will allow them to use a front window. In Memory
We are saddened by the recent deaths of our members: Memorials In Memory of:
For Memorials to the O'Fallon Historical Society, call 632-6773 or write Mrs. Maurice A. Hesse, 935 Pohlman Road, O'Fallon IL 62269. Special Notice DUES: If you have not yet paid, your 1997 dues are past due. Please mail dues checks to: Treasurer, O'Fallon Historical Society, Inc. Following is a copy of the Society's Membership Application, which may be used for sending in dues, or for applying for membership. Please note the dues increase for 1997. Dues must be paid on time to enable the Society to set realistic goals each year. Increased membership also makes higher goals possible. All members, old and new, can strengthen the Society by recruiting others. Members, the life of the Society, are vital to its achievements and, by extension, to its standing in the community. Membership Application |
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