100 years ago: Residents press state to bring IL 50 through O’Fallon instead of around it
Looking back in the pages of the O’Fallon Progress:
100 years ago, Feb. 7, 1924
A petition was circulated Tuesday among property owners along Depot (present day South Lincoln Avenue) and State Streets in an effort to induce the State Highway Department to change its present plans and bring the Lincoln Trail (Route 50) through O’Fallon instead of bordering the city on the south side.
John Streck, alderman of the third ward, circulated the petition.
It is contended that the Trail should remain in its present location, coming in from the south over Depot Street and to State and west to the western city limits.
This would save considerable expense on the part of the State as numerous changes will have to be made in routing the Trail west from its present terminus on Depot Street passing in the rear of the Township High school (present location of Marie Schaefer School) and touching the extreme southwestern city limits, according to those who saw the plan.
It is also contended that with the Trail routed through the city it would serve as a business stimulant. The state is to open bids on the Lincoln Trail paving February 15th.
The highway department has practically made all preparations for the paving of this highway from the unfinished portion west of this city to a point east of Lebanon. The concrete slab is to be laid this spring.
(The State did not change its plans.)
75 years ago, Feb. 10, 1949
John J. Quinn, Sr., 79, probably O’Fallon’s oldest official in point of years in city affairs, tendered his resignation as alderman for the second ward at Monday night’s council meeting.
Mr. Quinn, also a veteran coal miner, retired from work two years ago due to failing health which also caused him to resign from the city post.
Quinn became interested in municipal affairs back in April, 1895 before O’Fallon was incorporated (as a city) when he was named village clerk for a one-year term.
Then in 1900 he was elected a village trustee, serving four years in that capacity.
In 1907 he was elected city treasurer, serving for two consecutive terms. Then in 1909 he was elected as alderman for the second ward, continuing in that capacity until 1913 when he retired from municipal life.
However, in 1925 he again made the race for alderman and was elected, continuing as such until 1935.
Then after a lapse of two years he was again back in city affairs when he was named as an alderman in the April, 1937 election, serving until his retirement this week.
According to available city records, Quinn’s municipal career was over a span of more than a half century, during which he was in public office for 33 years.
50 years ago, Feb. 7, 1974
The year-end report by the O’Fallon Police Department made at Monday night’s City Council meeting shows a definite increase in the crime rate for the area.
The biggest increase came in two areas – burglary (non-vehicle) and theft.
A total of 63 burglaries were reported in 1973 to the O’Fallon police compared to 30 in 1972.
Thefts increased from 140 in 1972 to 173 last year.
Police Sergeant Vic Logan agrees the crime rate is going up but said it is “nothing on a major level. There are many more petty crimes but none of the larger more serious crimes are really on the increase,” Logan said.
Burglaries from vehicles also increased over 1972’s figures.
In 1973, 46 burglaries from vehicles took place. In 1972, 19 burglaries took place.
There were 398 drivers who were charged with speeding by use of the city’s new radar gun in 1973.
The gun was purchased in the spring. Related with the speed radar gun, Logan thinks the intensified traffic control has helped in cutting down in the number of accidents last year compared to those occurring in 1972.
Deaths caused from accidents dropped drastically last year. Only one person died in an automobile accident in 1973 compared to six who died in 1972.
In other items of information made available in the report, a total of 10,439 hours were spent last year by officers on patrol.