Our Town: Corner at O’Fallon’s First and Lincoln has long, rich history. (The flagpole too)
With the City of O’Fallon seeking ideas from the public about a design for a monument sign at the northeast corner of First and Lincoln, you might ask what is so special about that corner anyway.
Its history goes back to 1915 when the area between First Street and the railroad, unlike today, wasn’t exactly a garden spot in Downtown. It was much the opposite.
That spring, the O’Fallon Woman’s Club stepped up to the plate and got permission from the railroad to clean it up and create what would be known as Woman’s Club Park. It would become the focal point for many Downtown events over the years, functioning as something close to a public square.
The flagpole at the corner also has a long history, in this case going back 90 years.
On Memorial Day 1933, a 60-foot flagpole made of cast iron was dedicated at roughly the location of the current one. It was donated by the Pioneer Club of the Forty-Niners in “memory of the Civil War veterans and the Grand Army of the Republic.”
It was appropriate that it be Downtown.
In mid-1862, Company I of the 117th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry organized in O’Fallon and drilled Downtown, in the area of the present O’Fallon Station building, before they traveled to Camp Butler, near Springfield, to enroll in the Union Army.
Who were the Forty-Niners? Headed by O’Fallon Police Chief John E. Tiley, they organized to put on an outdoor play at the August 1932 Homecoming about settlers moving out west.
Tiley wrote and staged the production, and Sam Taylor and John Sapp directed it.
About 200 “characters dressed in historical accuracy” took part and “re-enacted the tribulations of a wagon train in the west in 1849 when attacked by a large band of Indians, the capture of the attackers and rescue by the army and cavalry after a fierce battle and hand-to-hand fighting.”
It included the burning of a covered wagon and rifle flashes for effect. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln even made an appearance.
On Memorial Day 1968, the flagpole area was rededicated as Memorial Corner by the O’Fallon Woman’s Club with a flag being flown daily from the flagpole “in memory of those from this community who gave their lives for our country.”
Fast forward to the present, the Woman’s Club holds a flag-raising ceremony there, performed by local Scouts, on the first Saturday of each month honoring different members of the armed forces from the area who lost their lives while in service.
To echo the words of the sign at the flagpole’s base, Memorial Corner remains today a reminder of those who gave their lives that we might live free.
75 years ago, Sept. 23, 1948
The family of John F. Miller, superintendent of O’Fallon’s schools, had to resort to extremes as a newcomer to the city to find a place to live—and of all places—an abandoned schoolhouse.
After house-hunting for several weeks and resorting to nearly every conceivable offer, the search was futile.
Schools opened with Mr. Miller in charge but his family remained at Valier, Ill.
Somewhat disappointed but not discouraged at the turn of events, the hustling school head conceived the idea of making one more try and was successful by locating a place of abode—not what was desired—but a temporary shelter so he could live with his family and send his children to our schools.
Miller learned that the Enterprise school, located 2.5 miles north of the city, like so many other rural schools, would not reopen this season, so he got busy and found a place (in the Enterprise school house) for the family where they are now domiciled—for the present until more commodious quarters are available in the city.
50 years ago, Sept. 20, 1973
The O’Fallon Jaycee Wives’ Club will hold its annual Pet Show at 1 p.m. Sunday at O’Fallon Community Park.
All children living in the O’Fallon-Shiloh school districts, between the ages of 4 and 11, are eligible. Entry blanks are available at all schools, and the park the day of the event. No admission fee will be charged.
Judges will include Mayor Gary Mackey, Mrs. Helen Taylor, owner of Wayside Kennels, and Wilbur Knewitz, President of O’Fallon Grade School District 90.
The categories are largest, smallest, largest prettiest, smallest prettiest, largest most unusual, smallest most unusual, and cats.
There will also be a special judge’s award, “Best of Show.” Prizes of ribbons and trophies will be awarded to first, second, and third-place winners.
A gift will be given to each child that registers.
All animals must be on a leash or caged. No horses or reptiles are allowed in the park.
A child can only enter his pet in one category. However, if there is more than one child in the family, the pet may be used by each child, but in different categories.