100 years ago: Stellar safety record survives despite an explosive Fourth
100 years ago, July 8, 1926
O’Fallon again scored 100 per cent with a “no-accident” record during the celebration of the Fourth, although there was considerable more noise and a display of pyrotechnic this year than in former years. This bespeaks well for the citizens of O’Fallon who for the past few years have followed the teachings of a “safe and sane fourth.”
The Progress man, in making a canvas of various places, learned that not a single O’Fallon man, woman or child was burned or otherwise injured by fireworks or the premature explosion of shooting devices.
With a population of more than 2,300 and an unusual amount of celebrating this is a remarkable record, signifying that our citizens, especially those who insist on “shooting in” the fourth exercise more than usual care in protecting life and limb. A similar report comes from the fire department which also enjoyed the two-day holiday, not a single alarm for a fire being recorded over the week-end.
As in previous years, the glorious fourth was ushered in on Saturday night with the discharge of firecrackers and other smaller noise-producers, but the old-time anvil noise was conspicuous by its absence.
Spasmodic shooting continued over Sunday with pretty pyrotechnic illumination in various parts of the city in the evening. Shooting was again evident on Monday but before evening this lost its force and aside from a few belated skyrockets at night the day designated for observance was unusually quiet.
Practically all business houses were closed on Monday, nearly one-half of the populace taking advantage of the two-day holiday with fishing trips and outings to distant streams and timbers, not much entertaining of outside visitors being evident.
July 4th that year marked the sesquicentennial or 150th anniversary of the United States.
75 years ago, July 5, 1951
The grand opening of the Yaeger Plumbing and Heating Co. new store at 114 East State street will be Saturday, July 7.
L.W. Yaeger, owner of the business, said his new establishment will handle a full line of Hotpoint appliances. Yaeger built a new structure for the business and will continue to operate as a plumbing contractor as well as appliance store.
The building is now home to Hero Roofing and Exteriors in Downtown O’Fallon.
50 years ago, July 8, 1976
The Our World Day Care Center is in search of a permanent location for its facilities after moving out of the West building at Marie Schaefer Junior High School last Friday.
At the present time, the facilities are being located at the Enterprise Grange Hut for temporary housing.
Art Erb, voluntary director of the day care center, said the center is exploring a possible housing agreement with the Shiloh School District to use their gymnasium for six weeks. Leasing a building on a long term basis or possibly purchasing a site is also being considered by the central board at Our World, Erb said.
The day care center was forced to vacate the West Building when the O’Fallon Grade School District 90 Board of Education voted to raze the building since renovation costs were considered too expensive. The center moved its equipment from the building Friday evening.
“Our people were obviously very sad to leave ’home’,” Erb said.
At the time, the Grange Hut, a log cabin, was still located at the northwest corner of Vine and Washington Streets. Later that year, in November, it was moved to Community Park, where it still stands today at Fifth and Apple Streets.