100 years ago: Homecoming Association lays the groundwork for O’Fallon’s Community Park
Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 100, 75, and 50 years ago:
100 years ago, June 5, 1924
“A public park and play grounds in O’Fallon will be a reality within the near future, according to action taken by the O’Fallon Home-coming Association at a meeting held in the City Hall last night and attended by a representative body of citizens, business men, labor and fraternal organizations.
“The meeting, which was called to order by President James Taylor, Sr., went on record as favoring the purchase of a site for a public park after a number of tracts had been proposed.
“With one exception a motion carried unanimously to purchase a parcel of the Atkinson land, near the southeastern city limits.
“The tract comprises 20 acres and is situated on the Lincoln Trail, east of Lincoln Avenue and south of East Park Place. The trustees have an option on the 20 acres with a privilege of purchasing 15 acres and the remainder at a later date. The 15 acres will be bought at once.
“The Home-coming Association originated two years ago, the object being to acquire a public park. Home-comings and fall festivals were given two years. These attracted large crowds and neat sums were realized for the park fund with the result that it was decided to make these annual affairs, this year’s festival to take place August 23rd.
“Plans for the park include baseball grounds, tennis courts, swimming pool and dance pavilion, which are to be added from time to time.
“At last night’s meeting of the association a program committee was appointed by President Taylor, as follows: Herman Hemmenn, Wm. Sanspeur, G. B. Gieser, Ernie Evans, Geo. Mantle, H. L. Siekmann, Mrs. Phillip Poser and Mrs. Ned Crosby.
“The association will meet again on June 18 to further plans for the home-coming.”
(This was the beginning of Community Park in O’Fallon. The oldest western part, bordering Parkview, was purchased in 1924. The eastern part, bordering South Hilgard, was purchased in 1950.)
75 years ago, June 9, 1949
“Upon the request of many citizens your city administration was fortunate in securing a site for dumping purposes on the George Weil farm.
“Much time and effort was necessary before the city was enabled to procure a suitable place for the convenience of our citizens in disposing of their rubbish. Certain restrictions had to be met before a satisfactory lease was available through the generosity and interest of Mr. Weil.
“One of these restrictions was that the refuse be dumped only in the ravine designated for that purpose, and not scattered on the roadway and cultivated land adjoining. Some dumpers, more careless than others, are violating the provision without regard to the land owner by reckless scattering of rubbish on the road and growing crops alike.
“The majority of citizens appreciate the convenience but should the more careless continue dumping in the reckless manner now prevailing, the lease is to be terminated by the owner, your city having already been notified to that effect.
“O’Fallon does not want this as Mr. Weil assured the city of lease renewals annually. So the next time you have occasion to use the site, consider the man who made this convenience possible and dump the rubbish where it is intended. By so doing O’Fallon will have a suitable dumping place for years to come.”
(The city dump, located in north O’Fallon Township, operated from 1948 until it was closed by state health officials in 1967 because of unsanitary conditions. This notice, published in the Progress, was issued by the City of O’Fallon.)
50 years ago, June 6, 1974
“A discussion of a city building program was scheduled to begin this week when the O’Fallon City Property and Purchasing Committee meets with other aldermen for a preliminary planning session.
“The discussion has been carried out in a casual manner but specifics were to be discussed at a Wednesday night meeting.
“Ralph Thomas, chairman of the committee, called the meeting after mention of the city’s building needs was made at Monday’s meeting of the City Council. The city is now engaged in providing space for the city engineer and the zoning administrator on the second floor of the library building at State and Lincoln.
“Alderman Glenn Loyet said he had attended the library board meeting and heard from that group that the city’s library was being cramped for space. The library occupies the first floor of the building.
“City Clerk Robert Bode said his office is crowded and there was no room for any more employees or files. The clerk’s office processes and collects water bills and sewer charges. All other city charges such as auto wheel tax stickers are collected through his office.
“There has also been an expansion of police department activities in the past few years with a 24-hour dispatcher service and teletype communication system. The second floor of the City Hall is used as a branch of the Circuit Court. It is one of several courts established in regions of the county and an associate judge is stationed there most of the week.
“Thomas said he will listen to all suggestions for city building expansion at the meeting.
“Among suggestions made were construction of a community building at the park, largely for recreational purposes. This program has been advocated by Supervisor John L. Anheuser who suggested a joint venture with the city and township.”
(The police department moved out of the City Hall, then at the corner of Washington and Lincoln, in 1978 to a new building just up the block at Vine and Washington, now home to District 90 school administration offices. A new library wouldn’t be built until 1995, and a new city hall wouldn’t be built until 1997.)