Warsaw Sesquicentennial, 1812-1962
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, 977.343 W261 Warsaw Sesquicentennial 1812-1962. (1962) hi; ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY arsaui raqitimtfotttfel 1B12 1902 WARSAW, ILLINOIS * te^ I Interior of the bank 1905 The gentlemen are William Dodge on the left and J. B. Dodge on the right. The lady is unknown. Interior of the bank 1962 Left to right: Ellery Kyle, Francis David and Ardath Cox. Your Community Bank for 97 Years SAVINGS ACCOUNTS CAR LOANS CHECKING ACCOUNTS FARM LOANS REAL ESTATE LOANS PERSONAL LOANS TRUST DEPARTMENT HILL-DODGE BANKING COMPANY We/come Lowell Metternich General Chairman Committees This compilation is not meant to be a history, President nor yet a literary gem, but rather, a nostalgic Edwin McMurray Spangler review of the early days of Warsaw, and the Vice-President Wendell Treasurer Wulfing splendid pioneers who had the vision and forti- John Secretary Leon Lamet tude to make such a development possible. It is also a recognition of the responsibility which lies Division Chairmen ahead to make the next one hundred and fifty Revenue John Wulfing years creditable ones. Men's Participation Dick Murphy Ladies' Participation Marion Lamet Spectacle Tickets Carolyn Brackensick Spectacle Division Gene Gilbert We thank all who helped in any way to com- Sandra Gilbert pile this information and for the use of pictures. Publicity Edna Scott, George Sparrow Hospitality Division Floyd Roth Special Events Dr. F. L. Huett After the Celebration, let us accept the "good Insurance Ruth Zeigler old days" as only a beginning of great future Fireworks Bill Bowles developments, and work together to make it a Operating Capital . .... Leon Lamet realization. Decorations Frank Izard The Great River Road The overall project, "The Great River Road", con- sary to clear title. Notable among right-of-way re- ceived by A.T. Greensfelder of St. Louis in the 1930's, leases was that of Dr. Alice Kibbe, botanist, whereby is to provide two roadway systems the entire length a tract of unexcelled botanical interest was obtained of the Mississippi River. The Road was planned, not for the use of the Road. On March 20, 1960, the last as a mere highway, but rather, as a backbone to right-of-way was obtained. A change of plans invali- which would be attached many existing and pro- dated a deed previously obtained from Mr. and Mrs. posed parks, historic sites, magnificent and breath- Ralston Winnard of Los Angeles, California, and it taking lookouts and vistas, roadside parks and rest was therefore necessary for Mr. and Mrs. Winnard areas, public boat launching ramps, wild life pre- to donate additional land. Thus - thirteen months serves, fishing and hunting areas, thousands of lakes, after the first, the last deed was obtained, marking recreational areas, places where people can lose the end of a long period of tribulation and intensive themselves among natures gifts and away from the effort in the signing up of fifty parcels of real estate. tensions and problems of life. On June 13, 1960, a contract for the building of 4.82 States bordering the Mississippi have Scenic Park- miles of bituminous concrete surface, course of Fed- way Commissions to further the project "Great River eral Aid Secondary Route 421, in and between War- Road" and although it is presently hampered by lack saw and Hamilton, Hancock County, Illinois, was of appropriation of funds, Illinois is no exception. let for $1,247,437 to S. J. Groves and Sons, Spring- The 4.8 mile segment of "The Great River Road" field, Illinois. This amount did not include the var- which had been only a dotted line on the map for so ious bridges and culverts necessary for the road. This many years, became a possibility on April 17, 1955. segment, all important to the citizens of Warsaw and The occasion was a dinner stimulated by the enter- Hancock County, was a part of Governor William prising and successful mayor of Nauvoo, the late J. Stratton's six million dollar 1960 Road Program. Lowell Horton, in connection with the dedication On Wednesday, July 20, 1960, a bulldozer of the of the Nauvoo-Hamilton Scenic Parkway segment at S. J. Groves and Sons Company turned the first dirt, which Governor William Stratton was an honored and began the work that culminated in this happy guest. He assured more than 150 Warsaw citizens occasion. The re-grading of slopes, seeding, land- included among the guests, that he would do all in scaping and erection of guard rails was completed in his power to further the extension of the Parkway the spring of 1962. to include the segment of the road between Hamilton On Saturday, June 16, 1962, all traffic will be and Warsaw. stopped for a short period of time in preparation for In May of 1958, there was a public announcement the official opening of this segment of the "Great of the possibility of the road and preliminary survey- River Road." A small ceremony will be held honor- ing of the road was started. ing dignitaries and officials. This will be followed by On July 29, 1958, a meeting of the citizens of War- a ribbon cutting ceremony by the officials at Hamil- saw and Hamilton was held to determine, if possible, ton with participation by the City of Hamilton—then the best routes for the road to enter Hamilton and a caravan will proceed to Warsaw where another Warsaw. On September 28, 1958, a citizens meeting ribbon cutting ceremony will take place and will was held in Warsaw for the setting up of committees officially open the Great River Road. for the acquisition of rights-of-way, raising of money After these ceremonies, the Mammoth Parade will for that purpose and other incidental aspects of the begin at 3:30 p.m. proposed road. On December 12, 1958, Governor William G. Strat- ton, at a meeting at the Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria, outlined his next year's Road Program, and this program definitely included the Warsaw-Hamil- ton "Great River Road" segment. On February 23, 1959, Fred and Mardelle DeYoung became the first, and Edwin and Elda Mae Beeler, the second, signers of deeds conveying rights-of-way for the "Road" project. Thursday evening, May 21, 1959, porch lights were "lighted for Warsaw" in a complete house-to-house canvass for funds with which to purchase the neces- sary land for "The Great River Road". A tremen- dous, heart-warming expression of community action and community giving was the result. Everyone was proud of Warsaw when the results were tallied. Between contributions of citizens on this night and contributions of Warsaw groups, the corporate City of Warsaw, and the Hancock County board of Super- visors, $16,000 was raised for the reimbursement of landowners on the right-of-way. In addition, many public spirited landowners donated their land. The entire operation was an example of community ac- tion and enthusiasm. Everyone cooperated; the only condemnation pro- ceedings necessary being in cases of "owner or View from the new river road - mouth of owners unknown", or where court action was neces- Des Moines River Do you remember? April 19, 1907 The sprinkler got out Tues- day, greatly to the relief of those doing business on Main Street who have been suffering from dust, more or less, for the past month. DRYGOODS - _ READY-TO-WEAR - _ SHOES T 1I E PEOPLE'S STORE — ©ur Iberitage Situated on the east bank of the Mississippi, op- of Warsaw. In 1831, Wilcox was authorized to estab- posite the lower and earlier mouth of the Des Moines, lish a ferry near Fort Edwards which made neigh- is the beautiful little city of Warsaw. It was platted boring and exchange of mail, wood and farm com- by Major John R. Wilcox, Mark Aldrich, John Mon- modities possible across the Mississippi to Alexand- tague and John W. Vineyard in 1834. Prior to the ria, Mo. In 1834, he became one of the proprietors establishment of the town there were two forts who platted the town. He took part of the land near Fort Johnson and Fort Edwards. The former was his original log cabin and erected a stone house situated on the south hill and was established be- where he lived until his death in 1839. Wilcox Town- tween 1812 and 1814. The latter, situated at the ex- ship which surrounds Warsaw on three sides is treme point of the north hill, was more advantage- named for him. ously located, having a clear command of the river Another name which stands out in the early de- for miles in each direction. It was established in velopment of the town is that of Mark Aldrich. Born 1814 and was named for Governor Ninian Edwards, in Warren County, New York in 1801, he came to the last territorial governor of Illinois, and its first Fort Edwards in 1832. In 1833 he built a two-story after admission as a state. log house on the site now occupied by the High School, the second house built in the town. He, like Fort Edwards was built entirely of logs. It was Major Wilcox, was one of the proprietors laid enclosed on three sides by a high stockade of logs who out the town in 1834, took a leading and active part set perpendicularly and close together; at each cor- in the early affairs of Hancock County, the ner of the stockade was a blockhouse, the upper por- was town's first Postmaster and was elected to the Legis- tion of which extended out over the lower walls, and lature in 1836 and re-elected in 1838.