100 years ago: U.S. government picks metro-east highway for transcontinental route

100 years ago, July 2, 1925

The Midland Trail, also known as the Lincoln Trail and passing through O’Fallon, has been selected for marking as a trans-continental highway by the United States government. This news of the most important development for the Midland Trail cities comes through various sources and is confirmed.

The Midland Trail, starting from Washington City and Newport News, Va., goes through Richmond, Va., Charlottesville, Va., Lexington, Va., the home and shrine of Gen. Lee and seat of the Virginia Military Academy, by Natural Bridge, Va., White Sulphur Springs, famous West Virginia health resort, Charleston, W. Va., Ashland, Lexington, Frankfort and Louisville, Ky., French Lick and West Baden Springs, Vincennes, Ind., the early capital of the Northwest Territory and the oldest and in many ways the most historically interesting spot in the middle states, thence across Illinois through Lawrenceville, Olney, Flora, Salem, O’Fallon to St. Louis. West of St. Louis the Midland Trail takes in Kansas City, Denver, Colo., Salt Lake City, Utah, thence to San Francisco. It is termed the Main Street of America.

Conferences of the Joint Board of Federal Engineers with state highway departments have been held in all parts of the nation. Recently one was held at Chicago for the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. At this meeting routes were selected which should be given markings as federal roads.

The Midland Trail was selected by the conference as far as its jurisdiction went — from East St. Louis to Ashland, Ky. Other portions of the Midland Trail will undoubtedly be similarly acted upon. It is understood there will be no great delay in the assignment of numbers to the roads marked as United States routes and that it will not be long until the Midland Trail will have along it the federal marking as a continuous guide to tourists.

(The new federal highway was called United States Route 50, also known as Highway 50.)

75 years ago, June 29, 1950

Leonhard E. Schwarz, who was associated in the operation of Schwarz Furniture for the past 31 years, announced this week that he is retiring from the business, having sold the entire stock, equipment and good will to his son-in-laws, Clarence J. Lurtz and Clyde W. Glenn.

The new owners will take over Saturday, July 1 under the present name, Schwarz Furniture. Mr. Schwarz will remain with the new owners in a supervisory capacity for a limited time.

The business was founded by his father, Mathias Schwarz back in 1894, making it O’Fallon’s oldest establishment in continuous operation in the same family. In 1919 the founder transferred it to his three sons, M. K., L. E., and George N. Schwarz. Two years later the latter sold his interests to the two brothers to enter the dairy business and in 1946 M. K. Schwarz sold his interests to Leonhard who now in turn transferred it to the son-in-laws.

50 years ago, July 3, 1975

(Advertisement.) American Legion Picnic at O’Fallon Community Park on U.S. Route 50 on July 4 and 5. Fireworks, rides, concessions, and games. Chicken dinners, chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, fish, hot dogs, cold beer, and soda. Festivities start at noon both days.

(The fireworks display was on July 4th in Community Park. They recommended coming early to get a good seat.)