50 years ago: Mayor orders early end to New Year’s Eve parties due to disturbance

100 years ago, Dec. 31, 1925

At the last meeting of Boy Scouts Troop No. 1, they decided to divert part of their savings in spreading the yuletide cheer among the needy in this city. As a result, they delivered well-filled baskets to the homes of a number of families early Christmas morning.

The work was under the direction of Rev. F. E. Harris, acting Scoutmaster of the local troop. This work is worthy of comment considering that the Scouts in this city is an apparently new organization, being comprised of boys between the ages of 12 and 16 years. With not a too healthy treasury, they made a sacrifice that speaks well for the members of the troop.

75 years ago, Dec. 28, 1950

The City Council announced that A. Ohlendorf & Son Plumbing and Heating Co. has been awarded the contract for installing a new steam heating plant in the City Hall and that the furnace has arrived. Installation work is expected to begin this week.

The council accepted the Ohlendorf bid of $1,628 for the furnace to heat the clerk’s office and council room, the jail cell and the fire engine room. Previously the building was heated with coal stoves.

With the addition in the past year of valuable fire fighting equipment, the council decided the furnace was a necessity. A second bid of $1,475 was received for a hot air plant, but the council agreed the steam furnace would be more practical.

50 years ago, Jan. 1, 1976

Taverns and nightclubs in O’Fallon will close their New Year’s Eve celebrations by 3 a.m. this year according to Mayor Gary Mackey.

Last year, a disturbance at a local tavern on New Year’s Eve raised some criticism over the lengthy hours on New Year’s.

Mackey said tavern operators will lock the doors at 2 a.m. and all customers will be required to leave the tavern by 3 a.m.