100 years ago: O’Fallon voters OK whopping $100,000 to build a new high school

Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 100, 75, and 50 years ago:

100 years ago, March 27, 1924

By a decisive vote which carried by more than two to one, all the propositions for the erection of a new and modern township high school in O’Fallon to cost $100,000 carried at a special election held Saturday afternoon in the present high school building.

Four propositions entered into the project at the election, and they all carried by large majorities.

The vote is as follows: 1. For or against the proposition to purchase a new school house site—651 for, 308 against. 2. For or against the proposition to build and construct a school house—670 for, 307 against. 3. For the location of a schoolhouse site in and for said township high school district—573 for. 4. For or against the proposition to issue bonds to the amount of $100,000.00 to defray the cost of a site and the erection of a new building—635 for, 303 against.

Proposition No. 3, which seemed to cause the greatest objection in that only one site was offered to the voter, carried despite general opinion that this would be defeated at the polls.

On this ballot 573 voted for the Atkinson site while 172 placed a cross in the square designated for a site to be selected by the voter, but failed to give any description.

One voter, evidently humorously inclined, requested that the school be built in the Silver Creek near Lebanon. Another desired the institution placed in the Silver Creek bottoms.

Voting was spirited from the time the polls opened at 1 o’clock until the close at 6 o’clock.

Long lines of voters took their places in front of the polling place, more than 160 being in line at one time.

Quite a number of farmers, especially those from the outlying districts, came to the city early to register their vote. Many came in wagons and on horseback due to the almost impassable condition of the roads.

One farmer stated that his buggy became mired in the mud twice north of here before he reached the city limits.

A total of 997 votes were cast on the various propositions and this is far above the average vote in the school election, considering the bad roads and weather Saturday. Thirty-eight ballots were defective, the voters placing a cross for and against the proposition.

Several voters turned in blank ballots, failing to vote on any of the propositions. As soon as the vote is canvassed, which will be sometime this week, plans for the disposal of the bonds and the erection of the new building will be taken up by the township high school board.

According to the decision of the voters, the new structure will be built on a three-acre tract, a part of the Mary Atkinson farm, south of the present high school and grade buildings.

The building will in all probability face the Lincoln Trail, which is to be paved as soon as weather conditions warrant. The board has an option on this site with the privilege of purchase for $1,710.50, or $550 an acre.

The special election resulted after the state threatened to revoke the credits of the township high unless the crowded and unsanitary conditions which prevailed were eliminated due to inadequate quarters in the present building.

Members of the board are Dr. H. T. Bechtold, president; John Schneider, Secretary; Richard Schaefer; George Fischer; and B. Joseph. (The new high school was built facing Route 50 between Oak and Cherry on the site of the current Marie Schaefer School. It served as the home of O’Fallon Township High School until the Smiley Campus opened in the fall of 1958.

After that, the building was used by District 90, best known as Marie Schaefer Junior High. It was razed in 1992.)

75 years ago, March 31, 1949

O’Fallon’s new funeral home to open Sunday… the new and impressive funeral home of Wolfersberger-Meyer at the corner of Washington and Lincoln, opposite the City Hall.

Alterations and additions have been in progress for the past eight months on the building which is the late Joseph Porter property, one of O’Fallon’s imposing brick homesteads.

L. M. Wolfersberger and Othmar J. Meyer, operators of the Wolfersberger-Meyer funeral home which had been in the Schwarz building on West First Street (present-day site of VFW Post 805), announce that the formal opening in their new quarters will be Sunday, when the public is invited to inspect the new mortuary between the hours of 1 and 10 o’clock, p.m.

The new home indicates it was carefully planned, not only for beauty, but also for comfort, making it one of the most modern in this section.

This applies especially to the interior where the latest appointments, wall decorations, floor coverings, lighting, and other furnishings are in harmony with the dignity of the business.

Entering the home from the Washington Street side, an attractive office is to the right, separated from the main chapel by heavy drapes. A hallway divides the chapel from other quarters to the west where there is a family room, another parlor, and a ladies rest room. A smoking lounge and men’s rest rooms are provided in the basement.

Extending across the rear is a new building with a spacious display room and a preparation room, a wide hallway separates the chapel and other funeral quarters.

With the completion of this modern funeral home, is added another institution in the progress of the community to which O’Fallon may point with pride.

50 years ago, March 28, 1974

It may already start costing O’Fallon taxpayers for repairs at the new LaVerna Evans School even before the school doors are open next fall.

Vandals over the past three weekends have smashed glass doors and have thrown mud all over the newly carpeted rooms at the new school.

No total loss has yet been placed on the damage done.

There is also evidence of vandals trying to set fires near the doors of the school. However, metal doors will not burn. The vandalism has occurred on the east side of the building. This side does not face the residential area where the school is located.

A large field on the east side of the building separates the school from any homes.

Richard Virgin, principal of the school, doesn’t really know what can be done to stop the idiotic vandalism.

“We just hope that anyone with information about who may be doing the vandalism would contact either the school district or the police,” Virgin said.

Harold Landwehrmier, superintendent of schools for District 90, is hoping a remedy can be found soon.

“The district may offer a reward for anyone giving information on the vandalism. We hope people in that area will keep an eye out for the vandals,” Landwehrmier said.

Landwehrmier, quite upset about the whole incident, said a night watchman may have to be hired to insure the school from being destroyed further.

“It’s a helluva waste of taxpayers money to have to hire a watchman to protect the school. But we may need to do it,” he said.