1977.3631

K132k

977.363

K132l< 1S53 • KnntiniiES

^^o^n Z^f3^e^e4^ice Co4ml Qan^idei^xx.The EXPERIENCE gained from over 80

years in business means CONFIDENCE.Since 1872 when H. E. Volkmann first en-tered the jewelry business, thousands ofKankakee-land people have learned what itmeans to know Volkmann's. It means satis-faction after you have made a purchase, beit a diamond, a watch, silverware or jewelry;confidence that a reliable firm stands be-

hind its merchandise. This makes Volk-

mann's more than just a jewelry store.In keeping with these ideals, Walter C.

Volkmann and the late William H. Volk-mann erected the Volkmann Building. Thismodern building of concrete and steel is to-day an integral port of Kankakee life.A third generation now carries on the

some principles of its predecessors ... toearn and hold the CONFIDENCE of you,the people of our community.

VOLKMANN'SlQ^e\ers since 1872

Kankakee, Illinois

'«0ft, flfeV

As the culmination of tlie effort that has engaged our attention

during the past months, and as the chmax approaches, I am anxiousto get to my friends and associates a message of my gratitude for whatyou have done.

I accepted the responsibiUtv as General Chairman of the Cen-

tennial widi some trepidation, but from all walks of life, from allfaidis, and from all nationalities has come a gracious response to thecall to help in making this celebration truly significant. Several thou-sand persons from all parts of Kankakee Countv have shared in the

collective effort to give our citizens a rekindled pride in their heritage

of history—a new faith in their tomorrow.

Industry, labor, business, the professions, schools, churches, and

civic organizations have closed ranks in a common cause. They havedemonstrated that Kankakee is a fine city of fine people who have aninstinct for working together. To evervone who pla\ed a contributingpart whether large or small, I express my sincere gratitude.

Kankakee's celebration is the highlight of many months of plan-ning and hard work. It now has its climax in the great historicalpageant-spectacle, and we have faith that its echo will be a heightenedand continuing connn unity lo\ alty and service as a new century dawnsfor Kankakee.

ROY H. ROBINSONPresident

I 1

1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 .

^fm^^ufWilet's GET B£rTER>4CQU4lN1^J

Know your neighbors better-

through the columns of the

Kankakee Daily Journal.

Can you think of a better way

to become acquainted with

"what's what" and "who's who"

in this community than in the

Journal's news columns?

Folks who read the Journal get

all the news, particularly home-

town news. Here's where folks

find news of their friends—who's

going where, who's getting

married, who's passing out

cigars, and so on.

Read the Journal carefully, the

advertising as well as the news

columns. Because the Journal is

your key to neighborliness,

information, business and

service!

The Kankakee Daily Journal is a home-owned, locally-managed public service

institution, dedicated to better living and better business for its readers and

advertisers.

Kankakee Daily Journal180 South Dearborn Avenue Telephone 3-7711

[ 2]

s ->, KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

'^(t^t^a^ee (^e^tte^uUai ;4^4acCcitcaK

PRESIDENT-Roy Robinson\ICE PRESIDENT-Lcn SmallSECRETARY-Ron HenrikenTREASURER-Fred Hefter

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEEXECUTIVE BOARD-Mrs. F. I. Still

Burrell SmallR. E. FrancisE. P. BergeronJames Stupka

Ed MadisonHarold SimmonsPercy LoisellcGeorge LuehrsJoseph J. Tolson, Attorney

CELEBRATION DI\ ISION CHAIRMENFinance Division—Len SmallSpecial Events Division — Co-Chairmen, Roy

Wilcox—Ed SaleAdvance Ticket Sale Division—Harold CooleyHospitality Division—Co-Chairmen, Mrs. J. C.Bohmker—Mrs. William Volkmann

Centurama Division—Miss Dorothy JansenPublicity Division—Burrell Small

FOR THE JOHN B. ROGERSPRODUCING CO.

Co-ordinating Producer—Wayne LemmonAssociate Business Managers — Robert Rush.

Chris CarterCenturama Director — Tom ChathamAssociate Centurama Directors — Dick Spitler,

Shirley Spitler

Preparation of Dramatic Script—Helen DrynanLemmon

HEADQUARTERS (Permanent Staff)-Mrs. George O. Green, Mrs. Justin Henschel, Mrs. Albert T. Sellers

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND DIVISION CHAIRMEN OF KANKAKEE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.Standing, left lo righf — Ralph Francis, Harold Simmons, Ed P. Madison, Joe Tolson, Harold Cooley, F. R. Henrekin, RoyRobinson, Len Small, Fred Hefter, V/ayne Lemmon. Seated, Miss Dorothy Jansen, Mrs. Fanny Still, Mrs. W. H. Volk-monn, Mrs. J. C. Bohmker, Jim Stupka, Ed P. Bergeron, Burrell Small. Not present when the picture was token wereRoy Wilcox and Ed Sale.

Veil IflKOUNIY SMI

Mei

It • .j^-^Ti.iam>M. A

S 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 .

For A Growing City . .

.

AN EXPANDING COMPANY

Looking forward to progress

characteristic of Kankakee

SIMONIZ COMPANYCHICAGO KANKAKEE

-t]

1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953

SOME EARLY KANKAKEE FIRSTS

First settler ... in 1848. First

^m\

1 8 S -i KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5^

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

KANKAKEE!We are happy to join with our fellow townsmen in celebrating Kanka-

kee's 100th birthday anniversary during "Centennial Week".

One hundred years is a long time in the life of an American community.

In our case it has seen the progressive development of a frontier settle-

ment to a pleasant small town, nestled among vast cornfields, and then

to a thriving, prosperous modern city . . . humming with industrial

activity and with plans for a still greater future.

We are proud to have had a part in our community's growth . . . and to

have contributed, through our Title Guarantee activities, to the peace-of-

mind and security of so many of our property-owning fellow citizens.

No other title protection you con get has as strong financial bocking as that of

the century-old Chicago Title and Trust Company whose Title Guarantee Policies

ore issued by us in this community.

VTHREE STEPS

FOR YOUR1. Use a good real estate broker to save time and money

in locating just what you want.

„______,-^ 1,^ 2. Consult your lawyer who will protect your interests,PROTcCTION IN ^^^ ,(,g, ^n controcts are legally in order.BUYING 3 Qe, Q CHICAGO TITLE GUARANTEE POLICY to protectREAL ESTATE yourself against loss due to defects in the title

KANKAKEE COUNTYTITLE AND TRUST COMPANY

[6]

S 1 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5^

The task of writint; a history of Kankakocland wouldhe a tremi'iulous one were it not for the Atlas of 1883.When that volume was compiled, the publishers werefortiuiate in having as their historian Daniel H. Pad-dock, then States Attorne\' of Kankakee County. Mr.Paddock's father. Col. John W. Paddock, was one ofthe first settlers in Kankakee, arriving here in 1853.^^'ith liis background and with his legal training,Daniel H. Paddock was able to write what must beconsidered an authentic stor\'. He was fortunate inbeing able to refer to early settlers for their tales ofthe early davs because many of them were still livingin 1883.

EARLY HISTORY

Being in a prairie state, Kankakeelands early historyis the same as that of similar communities. As far aswe know, the Indians were the first inhabitants ofthis area, although there is some trace of an earliercivilization.

Almost three centuries ago, or about 1680, theCavalier De LaSalle, with the authority of the Kingof France, with the purpose of discovering the outletof the great Mississippi, organized an expedition tocome by way of the Great Lakes. He set sail fromFt. Niagara in the ship, the Griffin, and some timelater reached Green Bay.

Thirty sturdy ad\enturers were on board with him;two—Tonty and Fr. Hennepin—have become historicpersonages, but another, Francois Bourbonnais, Sr.,whose family name became that of the old French-Canadian settlement two miles north of Kankakee,was also in the band of hardy explorers.On reaching Green Bay, LaSalle landed his men

and unloaded his ship, and placing on board a cargoof furs purchased from the Indians, he sent her ona return trip to Niagara. Providing himself withcanoes, LaSalle and his men, skirted the westernshores of Lake Michigan. At the mouth of the St.Joseph Ri\er they built a fort, and after a short restproceeded up the St. Joseph to a point near whereSouth Benil now stands. There they portaged overlanduntil they reached flowing water and were thus thefirst white men to see the waters of the Kankakee.Hennepin describes the headwaters of the Kankakee

as being very marshy, and had it not been for thefrost-hardened groimd, thc\- would have had diffi-culty- in landing their canoes and in finding a campingplace. It is supposed that while it is probably trueno white man ever preceded LaSalle in the passingof this portage, >et it was perfectly well-known tohim to exist, as his whole expedition seems to havebeen planned with reference to it. and no chance

brought him to the St. Joseph and thence to the head-waters of the Kankakee by way of the portage.The explorers lingered in the Kankakee \'allcy to

fish and hunt and in January, 1680, they reached thelake of the Illinois river, near where the city ofPeoria now stands. There they built a fort and garri-soned it. LaSalle then returned by wa\- of the riverto a point near where the Kankakee empties into theIllinois; there he left his canoes and returned over-land through what is now Will county, back to hisfort on the St. Joseph. Then, for almost a centuryand a half we have no record that a white man eversaw the Kankakee Valley, although it is quite probablethat some of the many fur traders who ventured intothis area mav have been here.

INDIANS

LaSalle found the Pottawatomies in the Green Baycountry, but by the time Charlevoix came in 1721they had migrated to the south and were found in theKankakee Valley. The Pottawatomies, Ottawas, Oji-bewas, and Algonquins were all members of theAlgonquin family and were much alike in dress,customs and manners. They were great hunters andfishers and of warlike bearing. They cultivated Indiancorn to a great extent; were idolaters of the strongesttype; polygamous, yet revering their wives anddaughters more than the other nations about them;and to the French the firmest of friends. In themassacre at Fort Dearborn at Chicago, in 1812, theywere the principal actors; bands coming from theSt. Joseph, Kankakee, and Illinois countries, composedof the wildest, most bloodthirsty and relentlesssavages.

Pottawatomie villages in Kankakeeland were thoseof Minemaung or Yellowhead, so named on accountof an Indian chief of that name, located near Sher-bournville; Waiskuks, near Waldron, now known asAroma Park; She-mor-gar (the soldier) or Soldier'sVillage in Kankakee near the mouth of what weknow as Soldier's Creek; the village of "The LittleRock " or Shaw-waw-nas-see at Rock Creek about ninemiles northwest of Kankakee.

The rights of the Pottawatomies were first givenrecognition by the United States in January, 1789,in a treaty concluded at Fort Harmer. Many rightswere secured to the whites by this treaty; among themost important were provisions for the opening oftrade, protection of life, the maintenance of friendlyrelations, and the right of unmolested travel of thewhites in the Indian country. Because the whitesviolated the treatv, it became necessary in a treaty

18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

KANKAKEE POST NO. 85— AMERICAN LEGION

AIMS AND PURPOSE OF THEAMERICAN LEGION

For God and Country

Uphold the Constitution

Maintain Law and Order

100 Percent Americanism

Preserve World War Memories

Inculcate Individual Obligation

Promote Peace and Goodv\/ill

Safeguard Justice and Freedom

Sanctify Our Comradeship

Devotion to Mutual Helpfulness

Service to Community, Siate and Nation

Chartered August 15, 1919

Membership 1919-113 Membership 1 953 - 2000

Post Home, 435 East Oak Street Peter Zinkann, Commander

Kankakee, Illinois Martin L. Sheehan, Adjutant

8 S ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

ci)ii(_Iiided ill 1795, to intliide a clause prohibitiiii; the

settlement by the whites of Indian land. So far as theN'alley of the Kankakee is coneerned, however, thetreaty was strictly kept, for not initil the Treaty ofCamp Tippecanoe in lS;32-33 did white settlementcommence, and except for a ver\' few traders, nowhite men were in the valle\-.

.Vccording to Article 2 of the treat) of Camp Tippe-canoe, certain lands in the Kankakee V'alley weret;i\'en to members of the Pottawatomie tribe; Shaw-anassee received five sections, to include Little Rockvillage; for Miii-e-maimg, one section to include hisvillage; for Monteno, daughter of Francois Bourbon-nais, Jr., one section at Soldier's \illage; for Catish,wife of Francois Hourbonnais, Sr., one section atSoldier's village; for Washington Hourbonnais, onesection adjoining his mother's reser\ation (CatishBourbonnais); others received grants of land in Kanka-kee Count\-. It will be seen that the ground uponwhich Kankakee now stands was mostly reservationlands. Article 2 concludes with the following, "thepersons to whom the foregoing reser\atioiis are madeare all Indians and of Indian descent.

"

.\mong the fur traders who ventured into theKankakee \'alley were Francois Bourbonnais, Seniorand Junior, who married Indian women and thus werementioned in the Tippecanoe treaty. These twoFrench-Canadians were descendants of the FrancoisBourbonnais who made the historic \o\age of explo-ration with LaSalle in 1679-80.

The treaty was signed by some 61 chiefs andheadmen for the Indians and various Commissionersand Interpreters (among the latter Gurdon S. Hub-bard) for the United States government. Certain cashpayments were made the Indians and to others, oneof whom was a Noel LeVasseur who received thesum of $1800.00, which in 1832-33 was quite a size-able sum.

GURDON S. HUBBARD AND NOEL LEVASSEURAs a boy of 16 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard had

become an employee of the .\nierican Fur Companyand made his first trip to the headquarters of theeonipiMiy at Mackinaw, .Michigan, in 1818. There as;i clerk he entered into a five-year contract with anannual salar)' of $125. .\fter learning the rudiments ofthe fur trade he was assigned to units penetratingthe Iroquois and Kankakee rivers eountrv. While incharge of the trading post at Bunkum, in what isnow Iroquois count), Hubbard met and married theIndian maiden \\'atch-e-kee (Watseka), whom he de-scribes as being a handsome, intelligent, and superiorIndian woman. The decline of the fur trade must havebeen foreseen b) Hubbard, because he left the serviceof the fur company and moved to Chicago. The postat Bunkum in 1832 was turned over to Hubbard'sassistant, Xoel LeVasseur, and as Hubbard andWatch-e-kee had divorced in all friendliness, Le-X'assuer married her.

In purchasing the lands grantid tiie Imlians b)the Treaty of C'amp Tippecanoe, LeVasseur had adistinct ad\antagc over other buyers. He numbered

KANKAKEETo survive 100 years is an accomplishment.

But to live, grow and prosper for a century

is a feat of which anyone may well be proud.

Kankakee reached that ten-decade milestone

this year.

As Kankakee grew, so did its people, its

schools, its businesses and all the rest that go to

make up what we affectionately call "our city".

Today Kankakee stands high on the list of

leading Illinois cities — because its founding

fathers and the men and women that succeeded

them have made it so.

A&P is proud to have contributed to thisprogress. We have tried to keep pace with theever-increasing demands made upon us by

Kankakee residents.

We progressed and expanded here becauseKankakee families realized we helped bring them

quality foods at low prices. In return, they

passed through our stores in greater numbers

each year.

Today .\&P looks forward to the birth of

Kankakee's second century of progress, deter-

mined to serve the next generation of Kankakee

residents, with the same efficiency, that made

their mothers and fathers, their grandmothers

and grandfathers, our friends.

THE GREAT\TLANTIC ANDPACIFIC

TEA CO.

I

">

185^ . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953

CONGRATULATIONS

to

the people of Kankakee through 100 years of con-

tinuous progress. We are proud to be a part of

your community and thank you for the oppor-

tunity of serving the many families of this area

with high quality bakery products for more than

a quarter of the century.

THE H. W. CONRAD BAKERY, INC

MOMENCE • ILLINOIS

10]

1 8 S ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

as his intimate friends who hat! married Indiansqnaws, Francois Bourbonnais, Jacque Jonveau,Francis Leville and others. W'hen the; Pottawatomieswere moved to their new homes west of the Missis-sippi following the Black Hawk War, their lands inllHnois were sold to \\hite settlers. Noel Le\'asseiirnaturally was in a position to take ad\antage of thisopportunity and he became an extensive land owner.He was interested. howe\er, in ha\"ing as his neigh-bors his friends in Canada and made several tripsthere to induce them to come to Illinois, and settlein the neighborhood of the village of Bourbonnais..\t about the same time many other settlers werepouring into Kankakeeland.

For the most part the\- chose lands on or near theriver, not generally extending into the back-country,except along the creeks that flowed into the Kanka-kee. As water and wood were tvvo necessaries in theseearly days it was an object to be as near to them aspossible.

EARLY SETTLERS

In 1832, William Baker, and a year or so after that.Dr. Todd, the Beebes, the Mellens, Byrns, Lowes,and others formed the nucleus of a settlement nearShobar Crossing, now Aroma Park.

In LS.34, Enoch Sargent, Asher Sargent, Robert Hill,Col. Wooseter. the \\'orcesters, the Perrys, OrsonBeebe, A. S. \'ail and others located on the rivernear where Momeiice now stands.

Following closeK- or shortly prior thereto wereWilliam Nichols, the Beebes, Oliver, Marshall, John,Samuel and Daniel, Samuel Johnson, Thomas Hatton,Henry Boucher, John Flagole, William Rantz, DavidBloom, A. M. Wylie, John and William Hayhurst,Paul Hathawa\-, Egbert Ostrander, S\lvester Wadley,James and Thomas \anMeter, H. S. Bloom, LorenzoD. and William Legg, L. P. Farley, A. Marcott, A. L.Miner, Nathaniel and Alphonse Mullen, Mrs. EllenDutcher Miner, Andrew Daxton. John and WilliamSmith, Mrs. Johnson Mann (with her father's family),Abram Beedle, Ichabod Stoddard, George Exliiie,Jonathan Uran, W. B. Hess, James Mi.x. Caleb Wells,Ansel Britton. William Richardson, R. C. Kile, Archi-bald Morrison, Nathaniel Coffinbury, H. Church Todd,Cornelius and John Cane, James and Volney Dickev.They came from New England, from the southern

states, and from the eastern states, all anxious toobtain a new start in the newly a\ailable land. Newarrivals were A. Burchim, N. W. Stetson, F. S. Camp-bell, R. H. Hawker. P. H. Segar, Samuel Vining,H.Goodwin, W. P. Chipman, John and Fred Mami,Abram True, C. O. and Joseph Savoie, W. O. Clark,W. G. and Frederick Swannell, R. H. Enos, WilliamBishop, John Stirling, Mrs. C. W. Warner, John In-graham, Mrs. Mary Dole Smith, Joseph Ringuette,H. C. Konklin, F. B. Mason, J. H. Worrell, Mary Lamb,A. Hess. Mary R. Vining. \\illiam Haslett, Ben Legg,Mr. and Mrs. Charles \loore, M. D. Hunter, LeoniPowell, W. W. Todd, H. O. VanMeter and the doctorsHenry A. Russell, and J. F. Mazuzon. Of course therewere many, many others \\'ho came to brave the

1904 I-Cy/inder Cadillac. One of (he first

automobile delivery trucks in Kankakee.

Charles Engel (with derby) and H. Romien.

TOLSON'SKANKAKEE'S OLDEST CLEANERS

Since 1886

379 SOUTH SCHUYLER AVENUETELEPHONE 3-8422

C. C. ENGEL P. H. ENGEL

THIS YEAR 1953KANKAKEE CELEBRATES

irS CENTENNIAL

We're Very Proud and Thankful

To Be Celebrating Our 59th Year

in Catering To The Apparel Needs Of

The Men Of Kankakeeland

VANDERWATER'SStore For Men

1

1

18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

CONGRATULATIONS TO KANKAKEE ON ITS100 YEARS OF PROGRESS

For over 100 years we have been

continually serving you with quality

products. We are proud, indeed that

these products have contributed to the

development and progress of the Kanka-

kee area.

INTERNATIONALHARVESTER COMPANY

480 North Schuyler Ave.

Kankakee, Illinois

FARM EQUIPMENT MOTOR TRUCKS REFRIGERATION

Earliest picture of Court Street, at Schuyler Avenue,

looking northeast, in 1860's.

North side of East Court Street, early 1900's.

12 1

1 8 S ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIA 19 5 3

Liming 2 Million Actes

Nearly a half century ago, the first carload of

limestone to be used in Illinois was shipped from

Lehigh to Dr. Hopkins' famous "Poor Land Farm"

down in Marion County.

Since then, Lehigh has shipped over 6,000,000 tons

of limestone, equal to 1 1 1,000 carloads, to sweeten

sour soil on Illinois farms.

LEHIGH SOIL SUGAR GETS RESULTS!

LEHIGH STONE COKANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

Since J 906

1 n 1

18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

Best Wishes From . . .

SCHIERENBECK'S

DELICATESSEN

Kankakee's leading cheese and saus-

age house. Serve your family and

guests the best. Serve some of our

delicious tasty appetizing luncheon

meats, home-baked ham and cheese

on Sichling Rye Bread. Tasty v^/ieners,

potato salad, appetizers. Imported and

domestic food specialties.

Kankakee's Unique Food ShopBROOKMONT SUBDIVISION PHONE 3-8340

WEST WILLIAM STREET

FREE PLATTER SERVICE

FREE PARKING

FREE DELIVERY

J. C. PENNEY CO.

T T

Serving The Greater

Kankakee Area

For Over 33 Years

and the

Nation For 51 Years

Congratulations

To Kankakee—

100 Years of Progress

For more than 30 years we've beenmodernizing the business district of

Kankakee with the finest of modernstore fronts.

We're proud of Kankakee's record inits first 100 years and will continueto grow and progress with this com-munity in future years.

Modern Store FrontsPlate Glass & Mirrors

Auto Safety Glass

Colorful Structural Glass

For Bath or Kitchen

Thermopane and T window

KANKAKEE GLASS CO.r/ie Glass Company That's Growing With Kankakee

250-256 W. COURT ST. PHONE 2-1423

Compliments

of

HARRY MANGKankakee's Oldest

Car Dealer

DE SOTO-PLYMOUTH

\

i\

I

[ 14 ]

KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL

hardships of pioneering in Kankakeeland. The priva-tions and hardships they endured . . . ague, prairiefires, sub-zero weather and blistering heat, droughtand floods, primiti\e dwellings, and lack of roadsand means of transportation made it a life for onlythe most hard\'.

In the very early days most travel was along theold Indian trails, one of which passed through whatis now the City of Kankakee. It passed through Bunk-um (now Iroquois) crossed the Kankakee River atAroma Park, followed what is now the Waldron Road,entered what is now Kankakee on Maple street,passed through the Bonfield Hemstreet property justnorth of Station street, thence in a northwesterly di-rection through the northeast corner of the court-house square, then crossing the middle of the blockbetween Dearborn and Indiana avenues just northof Court street, thence in a northwesterly directionto north Fifth avenue, crossing Soldier Creek aboutat the bridge; it then veered in a northerly directionon what is now Fifth avenue and 113 N to RockCreek, the site of Shaw-waw-nas-see's village.

THE FIRST RAILROADAgitation for a railroad to run the length of Illinois

was started in the lS40's, and continued with variedsuccess until finalK in 1850 all of the legislative andlegal difficulties were overcome, and in 1851 survey-ors set out to establish the best route. What thecoming of the railroad meant to the sparsely settledcommunit\' is best told b\' the reminiscences of SamuelL. Knight' published in ' the "Gazette" in 18&3.

"I was a resident and citizen of Bourbonnais(Grove) at the time the Illinois Central Railroad waslocated and built, and it may interest the reader tosee a record of some of the events of the early settle-ment of our town. During the session of the IllinoisLegislature in the winter of 1850-51 the charter of the

railroad was granted. In the summer of 1851 the roadwas located. In June 1852, a man with a four-horseteam with a load of lumber, drove up to the "Ameri-can House" which I was keeping, and called for adinner and horses' feed. After satisfying himself witha dinner of ham and eggs, with a few trimmingsadded, he ordered out his team and inquired theroad to the river, as he wished to cross over to thesouth side of the Kankakee, to the I.C.R.R. survey.He drove over and deposited his lumber on the prairieone-half mile south of the river (about at Jefferystreet). Two or three days after, another strangercame, with a square, scratch-awl, and other tools,and called at the American House, took lodgings forthe night, and in the morning inquired the wav towhere the first man had left the lumber, and tookhis departure. The next heard of him was that hehad a building up—a blacksmith shop, and had namedthe place Sacramento. The first man was Milo Juneand the second was L. W. Walker, and in the employof Linsley & Co., railroad contractors. In quick suc-cession after June and Walker, came many teamsand men, carts, barrows, shovels and spades, and inone year the road was graded from Chicago to Spring

The

COFFEE CUPWe Are HAPPY and

PROUD To Be Part Of

KANKAKEEIN

1953

686 E. COURT 236 NO. SCHUYLER

South Side

ROYAL BLUE STORE899 South Washington Avenue

Kankakee, Illinois

Phone 3-7133

PAUL AND VERA BETOURNE

Quality Foods and Meat

Congratulations for this

Centennial year and years

to conne.

[ 15 ]

1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

THE HOTEl KANKAKEE

LJne LJf J^llinolA finest79

WELCOMES YOU

fo the

AIR CONDITIONED "EMERALD ROOM'

* • •

QUALITY AT POPULAR PRICES

Private Air Conditioned Facilities for

BANQUETS • RECEPTIONS • WEEK-END CONVENTIONS

AIR CONDITIONED

TAP ROOM

For Your Enjoyment

16

18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

Creek, Iroquois County. Later another man with acompass, chain, etc., called at the American House,took some refreshments and inquired the way to theplace where the I.C.R.R. struck the river. The nextheard of him was that he had a town platted, but notnamed.

"In the winter of 1852-53, a petition was sent to theLegislature asking for a new county to be taken inpart from Will and a part from Iroquois County, anda bill was passed allowing the voters of the twocounties to vote on the question. The election washeld and the question decided in the affirmative. Atthat election, Limestone Precinct called out all hervoters and decided the contest (which was close) andgave to the name of the county, Kankakee. Immedi-ately after the result of the election for a new countywas known, an election was called to determine thelocation of the county seat. The citizens of Bourbon-nais, Momence, Aroma, and the new town withouta name asked for this seat. Friends of the new town,when they got their ticket out, called it KankakeeDepot, and gave the new town a name which is now(1863) the postoffice name.

"The election came off, the votes were canvassed,and Kankakee Depot and Momence had the highernumber of votes, neither having a majority, and an-other election was called to settle the matter. On theday before the election, a gentleman from Chicagocame into the county, and was very inquisitive aboutthe new town, and its prospect for the county seat,and when he found there was a chance for KankakeeDepot to be defeated, he announced himself as theFinancial Agent of the new town association, andthat he was authorized to say to the people of thecounty, that if they would make Kankakee Depot thecounty seat, the town association would deed to thecount>' the most prominent and valuable block theyhad, for a court house square, and, in addition to that,would give the county $5,000.00 toward building acourt house. Kankakee Depot got a majority of thevotes cast at the election. On July 20, 1853, the firsttrain of cars crossed Soldier's Creek culvert on theIllinois Central Railroad, consisting of two car-loads oflumber for Solon Knight, which were unloaded at theend of the track where the stone and cattle yards noware, among stumps, logs, bushes and laborers cabins,and here was opened the first lumber yard in the city."On the 10th of August, Solon Knight was the first

to receive freight brought to the freight house, thenbuilding, which was a number of car-loads of lumber.In the month of September, 1853, I was appointedthe first postmaster for the town of Kankakee Depot;the name of the postoffice was Clarksville."

Listed as early comers to the new town of Kanka-kee Depot were: G. V. Huling, A. B. and Abram True,Asa Bartlett, C. R. Starr, James M. Perrv, PhillipWorcester, John W. Paddock, H. C. Paddock, SamuelL. and Solon Knight, William, John and PleasantDurham, C. A. Lake, \. Chester, Cyrus B. Ingham,Charles M. Vaughn, Edw. Chappell, P. Flannigan,Jeptha Ripley, L. Ripley, Dr. J. M. Mack, Dr. C. W.Knott, Alonzo and Truman Huling, Peter Wilbur,George M. Stowell, Orson Rice, Thomas H. Albert

Established 1887

F. W. Gohike and Son Coal1 1 West Water Street

Kankakee, Illinois

Phone 2-3031

66 Years of Service

ROCK PHOSPHATE

ITS EASY

TO BORROW FROM US$20

$50 -$100

$200 - $300 - $500or more — or less — to suit your needs

No Delay

No Red Tape

HOME LOAN& FINANCE SERVICE

Room 328 Arcade BIdg.

Roy Strasma, Manager

i'A Friendly Personal Loan Service

I 1? I

s ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 1

For A Real Centennial Treat

STEAK-N-SHAKE

DRIVE INN

INVITES YOU TO DINE WITH US

Delicious

SANDWICHES • TRU FLAV SHAKE • CHILI

Specializing In Selected Foods

Professionally Prepared, And

Quickly Served To Save You Time

SPECIAL ATTENTION

TO CARRY-OUT SERVICE

206 N. SCHUYLER AVE.

Complinnents

of

KANKAKEESUPERWAY

'The Friendliest Store In Town'

OPEN 9:00 TO 9:00

SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

558 EAST COURT STREET

1AMERICAN-MARIETTA COMPANT"ilVINTS

hGenera) Olfiee* Americon-Morferta Building, 101 Eo»t Ontario Street, Chicogo 1 1, lllinoii

CHEMICALS • ADHISIViS • RiSlNS • MiTAL POWDERSBUILDING MATIRIALS • HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

Divisions AND SUBSIDIARIES_RICAN-MARIETTA COMPANY

ADHESIVE, RESIN AND CHEMICALPLANT

Seattle, Washington

KEYSTONE ASPHALT PRODUCTSCOMPANY

Chicago Helghti, Illinois

FERBERT-SCHORNDOftfERCOMPANY

Cleveland, Ohio

MARIEHA PAINT & COLOR CO.Marietta, Ohio • High Point, North Carolina

SEWALL PAINT & VARNISHCOMPANY

Kansas Gty, Missouri • Dallas, Texas

UNITED BRICK & TILE COMPANYKansas City, Missouri

AMERICAN-MARIETTA COMPANYOF CANADA LTD.

New Westminster, Brtlish Columbia

THE ARCO COMPANYCleveland, Ohio • Los Angeles, California

AMERICAN-MARIETTA COMPANYKANKAKEE RESEARCH &

OPERATING PLANTKankolcee, Illinois

BERRY BROTHERS, INC.Detroit, MichigoR • Wolkerviile, Ontario

CHAS. R. LONG, JR. COMPANYLeuisviHe, Kentucky

1

1

M

INDIA PAINT & LACQUER CLos Angeles, California

METALS DISINTEGRATINGCOMPANY, INC.Elizabeth, New Jersey

O-CEDAR CORP'NChicago, Illinois

THE MASTER BUILDERS COMPANYCleveland, Ohio • Buffalo N. Y.

Toronto, Ontario

OTTAWA PAINT WORKS, ITD^Ottawa, Ontario jHj

AMERICAN-MARIETTA COMPANYOF CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles, Colifornia

s Ed 13 '''^' Ip ft ^m

18 1

1 8 "5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

ami lliui) 1). I'tiry. A. E. DianK)iicl, A. W. Mack.C C Wilcox, William G. and Frederick Swaiinell,Thomas P. Boiifield. Hiram Whittemore, John B. andWilliam W. Dusinhiir\', A. G. Hobbie, Clark R. Strong,James, William, and William A. Sible\', James Mc-Grew, Daniel C. Taxlor, R. D. Sherman' M. D. Butts,

Hoyt, Worden, C. P. Townsend, J. F. Donovan,T. and A. Kerr. Benjamin Leas, Thomas Beede, M.Greenwaldt. Augustus M. Wylie, James Clark Perry,George \'ail, Rodney Ashle\', Washington Selvy, L A.Ward, Mrs. Henrv Koon, Patrick Rilev, Louis Gou-tlreau. S. R. Moore, W. D. Butler, S. P. Smith, JohnTunnison, William Whitcomb, John B. Atkinson,Nathan Chester, Daniel S. Parker, J. G. Knecht, AdamFunk, xMessers. Linslevs, Henrv Bacon, Jacob Fluke,

J. C. Mateer, R. O. Scbville, W. F. Kenaga, S. C. andDaniel Kcnega, Sherman and Newton Kenaga, DanielH. and James H. Paddock, L. A. and W. H. Bristol,N. G. Halse\-. James W. Williams, D. Ehrich, P. N.Pallisard, \'incent Stamm, Dr. A. Ames and Capt.Crandall, Joseph LeCour and Dr. A. L. Small.

OLD LANDMARKSThe first stone building was built by a Mr. Hall and

stood on Court street on the lot on which the westhalf of the Cit\- Banks building now stands. It wasused as the oflfices of George M. Stowell, CountyClerk, Mr. Gutterson, Circuit Clerk, and A. Chester,as the "Gazette " office. The stone building was burneddown in the fire of 1869 or 1870.The second stone building was erected on the

southeast corner of East a\enue and Hickorv street.It was first occupied as a dwelling by John W. Pad-dock, and offices of the law firm of Paddock and Bart-lett, and was the third building built in town.

The first store building was that of Clark & Roberts,on the back of the east lot on which the WalgreenDrugstore now stands. The frame to that buildingwas raised on June 1, 18.53, and it is related that therewas just a road cut through the brush where Courtstreet is, and the place for the store could be seenthrough a little opening in the trees, which servedas a "shoot" for the lumber for the building to bepassed through the brush to its destination.

The first warehouse was erected by Hiram Good-win on West avenue opposite the Illinois Centralfreight house. It was occupied b\- Holliday & Reed inthe fall of 1854, and was later moved just north of theCourt street viaduct. It was destroyed by fire in the186()"s, and at that time was occupied by Cougar &Ilirsch.

NanMeter's Hote'I, slill standing on the southeastcorner of Oak street and North Fourth avenue, waserected in the fall of 1853, with a wooden addition tothe east built in 1854. The second term of court washeld in the hotel.

The first lumber yard was openeil by Solon Knightin 1853 on Washington a\enue just south of Hickorystreet.

In 1859 Maj. Albert G. Hobbie erected on the north-east corner of Court and Schuvler a three-storv stone

Compliments of

PAYNE-STOTLERGRAIN COMPANY

ARCADE BUILDING

KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

CONGRATULATIONS

100 Years of Progress

FIBRE DRUM CO.KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

1 19 1

1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

^sannakee Centennial 1853-1953

Compliments of

BeaUke Tcois Co.

Always ask for

Ice Cream Division

139 N. WEST AVENUEKANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

DIAL 3-6601

Milk Division

396 So. SCHUYLER AVE.

KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

DIAL 3-6603

FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY THE FINEST IN DAIRY PRODUCTS

20

S 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

McGrew Mill fire at foot ofSouthwest Avenue.

Emory Cobb Home. Situated on southeast corner ofRiver Street and South Chicago Avenue. Erected 1866.

Illinois Ceniial K'a;liuad iiassenger depot, located at

East Avenue and Station Street, 1894

p

18S^ • KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

Congratulations to Kankakee

= On J 00 Years of Progress =

We appreciate the opportunity

of having served you for over

thirty-five of those years—

Plant-Tiimereo.NATIONALLY KNOWN (^MEN'S WEAR

l/l/e are proud . . .r. . . yes, both proud and happy to be a part of Greater Kankakee on this

memorable occasion. We wish to extend our best wishes to the

Centennial Association and to everyone in the community for a successful

celebration of Kankakee's 100th Birthday.

Joseph Turk Manufacturing Co.BRADLEY, ILLINOIS

1 22 ]

£

I

8 5 ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5^

building which was destroNt'd h\- firo in 1925, whileoccupied by D. M. Norris 6c Son as a hardware store.Near this corner, before the building was put up,was a gigantic oak tree, and its shade provided ari'iide/.vous on Sunday for the townspeople. In theniitidle of the block between Schuyler anil Dearbornaxi'iiues and Court and Oak streets was a small pond.The slope towards the north made it necessary toplace on piling the rear ends of the buildings facingCourt street.

The first brick building was erected on the south-east corner of Dearborn and Court by JamesLaiub. It was a three-story structure housing the"Morrow House", later the "Murray House", earlyhotels of that day.

On the northeast corner of South East avenue andStation street still stands a building erected in 1S58.The first floor was occupied by A. S. Perrv & Co.,hankers and Thomas H. and H. B. Perry, land agents,and Minchrod and Epstein, clothing dealers. On thesecond floor were the offices of A. W. Mack, and Pad-dock & Moore, attorne>s. The third story became theMasonic Hall. In 1S62, the whole building was con-verted into a hotel by a man named Husted whocalled the hostelry tlie "Exchange Hotel". Later itwas re-named the "Commercial", and was the leadinghotel until well after the turn of the century.

Peter Makautz erected in 1859 a stone buildingwhich stood for many years on the northeast corner ofCourt street and East avenue. This building housedthe postoffice in Kankakee for quite a number of vears.The first wooden dwelling was erected bv A. B.

True in the early lS5()'s on the northeast corner ofMaple street and Orchard a\enue. This was a roomingand boarding house called the "Half-mile" house be-cause it was about a half-mile from the courthouse.The second wooden dwelling was erected on thesouthwest corner of Court and Dearborn by Clark R.Strong in ISS'l, and was used as the family dwelling.There being no cemeter\- at that time, when deathsoccurred in the family, they were buried at the rearof the lots, the present site of the Volkmann Building.The first church building was the Presbx-terian.

This was erected on the west end of the lots wherethe present church now stands. This structure wasbuilt in 1S55.

The old Methodist Church on the east side of the100 block south Dearborn avenue was built in 1855,and later became the City Hall when the presentchurch was erected in 1S6S-69.With but few exceptions almost all of the business

buildings erected during the first years of the city'sgrowth were of wood. They presented much thesame appearance as do the buildings in any newfrontier town, built of all sizes and shapes, paintedand unpaiuted. .\s a result of the t\pe of buildingmaterial used, Kankakee had man\- destructive firesin its earl\- da\s. On Februar\ 27, 1869, all of thebuildings burned from the corner of East avenue andCourt street south to the middle of the next block.Between 1870 and 1880 frefjuent fires occurred, oftendestroving as much as a half block at a time.

MONEYWHEN YOU NEED IT!

$20 to $500

'On your Signature Only"

MODEL FINANCE"VETERAN OPERATED"

310 East Court St.

2nd Floor

Phone 3-4474 Established 27 Years

LA GESSE & MERCER

TEXACO SERVICE

OAK

and

INDIANA

DIAL

3-4611

Frank Lagesse — Frank Mercer

WHEEL BALANCING

LUBRICATION • WASHING

TIRES • BATTERIES

BATTERY CHARGE

BRAKE SERVICE

I -'M

• 185^ • KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL, • 1953

Congratulations

TO

KANKAKEEON

700 Years of Progress

Triangle Construction Co.

Percy F. Loiselle, Pres.

L L Shidler, Sec.

[ 24 ]

5 ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

7

18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

For The Past 71 Years-From the first buildings of The Kankakee State Hospital to the completion

of the Armour Pharmaceutical Center, we have met Kankakee's growing

needs in roofing, heating, ventilating and sheet metal work.

And For Kankakee's Next 100 Years—We promise to continue to bring to our community the best work

possible to meet every building problem whether for a small home or a

large factory.

Henry Renter & SonsROOFING HEATING VENTILATING AIR CONDITIONING

Original Arcade Building

built by Emory Cobb

Cyclists, Kankakee, 1889.

Corner South Dearborn

Avenue

and East Court Street

I 26 ]

1853 • KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

We welcome you to the

Kankakee Centennial Celebration

The Funeral Directors of the City of Kankakee

Clancy Funeral Home

Hertz Funeral Service

Hickey Funeral Home

Phillips, Friday & Schreffler Funeral Home

Rehr & Kaiser Funeral Home

Senesac Funeral Home

Yates Funeral Home

I

-^1

^^ . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Kanka-

kee was organized December 9, 1859.

First services were held on the second

floor of "Ehrich's Store" at the corner

of Court and Schuyler (City Banks'

Building). The first church was erected

at Chestnut and East Ave. After fire

had destroyed that, the present church

was built in 1888 at Merchant and

Dearborn. Pastors of the church are

the Rev. Carl F. Haller and Herbert F.

Bohlmann. Since 1874 the parish

school has flourished, and is fully ac-

credited. Fred Nohl is principal. Among

the various organizations THE LADIES

AID has rendered noble services.

DURING CENTENNIAL WEEK MEALS

WILL BE SERVED (11:00 a.m. to 7:00

p.m.) When hungry, stop at the church

hall for a delectable meal. Visit the

place. You are cordially Invited and

most welcome.

KENNY GIROUXFine Used Cars

ROUTE 54, NORTH

KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

PHONE 3-3135

Censon HardwareFARM SUPPLIES - PAINT

134 N. EAST AVENUE

Thani

18 5^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 •

At the 1911 Fair the first aeroplane was flown in theKankakee area by R. E. and E. Simon. On August 20.1920. all records were broken for attendance at theFair, which was by this time known as the KankakeeInter-State Fair. Before noon on that clay every seatin the grandstand had been sold and several thousandsof people had to be turned away. The infield wasblack with spectators, and people lined the rail aroundthe race track.

On July 21. 1921, the entire grandstand was de-stroyed by fire which spelled disaster to the Fair forthat year since it occurred onl\- a few days before theFair was scheduled to open.When the Fair was re-opened in 1922, its secretary,

Len Small, was Governor of Illinois. Throughout the20's the Kankakee Inter-State Fair was considered oneof the major fair attractions in the county, e.xceededonly by State fairs. Old timers will remember thesociety horse shows with the $1,000 in stakes eachevening, the live stock parades, the midway with itsdancing marathons, flag pole sitting contests, theautomrihile pole, world's craziest Ford, and thebeloved Billy Lorette—the clown policeman whocalled liiniself the "Cheese of Poluce", who was afavoritf of Kankakee audiences.During many of these years C. R. Miller was Presi-

ilent of the Kankakee Inter-State Fair; E. A. Jeffers,X'ice President; Len Small, Secretary and Treasurer;Werner W. Schroeder, Assistant Secretary; L. H.Becker, Assistant Treasurer; with Mina F. Baker,Superintendent over the horse show.

The last Kankakee Inter-State Fair was held in 1932and was suspended the following year when theCentury of Progress opened in Chicago. In 1937 anew Kankakee Fair association was formed with B. F.Hertz as its president, which conducted a Fair withthe assistance of the Kankakee Chamber of Commerceat Waterman park and other locations until 1948. Inthat year the present Fair ground (the site of theKankakee Centennial) consisting of 162 acres waspurchased by the Fair Association with the help of$16,000 donated by various individuals and groups inthe county.

Present officers are Percy Loiselle, President; Mrs.Walter Ranz, \'ice President; Merle Thorne, Treas-urer; Roy Robinson, Secretary. With the cooperationand help of man\' public spirited citizens the presentKankakee Fair has been successfully launched and isbecoming an institution worthy of its illustriouspredecessors.

In 1912 a group of interested Kankakee County mensaw the need for agricultural improvements within thecounty and decided to form an organization for thatpurpose.

Seven men were appointed to a committee to per-fect a permanent organization. The men were LenSmall, H. E. Taylor, A. C. Radeke, H. A. Magruder,D. E. Styles, C. E. Robinson, and C. H. Rumlev.

During the Centennial

VISIT

SALKELD SPORTING GOODS

'Your Favorite Sport Store"

251 So. Schuyler Kankakee

Telephone 2-1422

Cosmetics For The Centennial

Furnished By

MERLE NORMANCOSMETIC STUDIOS

VELDA RUTH DOROTHY

167 No. Schuyler Ave.

KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

29I

• 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

Congtatulations to the Community

of Kankakee

in their

Centennial Year

Compliments

of

Sears Roebuck &l Co

30

18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 •

These men formed the executive hoard of theKankakee County Soil and Crop Improxement Associ-ation, the first such organization of its t\'pe in Illinois.

It \\as a non-profit organization to foster hetterfarming methods within the county. The associationthen hired a trained agriculturist, John S. Collier, whowas recommended b>' the University of Illinois.Collier's job was to instruct farmers and landowners insoil building and tiie raising of larger and better crops.The association leaders had no precedent to follow.

But they knew and saw the need for an organizationthat would get the latest agricultural practices andinformation to the farmers of Kankakee Countv.The need for such an organization was reflected in

the way it was accepted. There was such a demandto join that the leaders restricted membership in eachtownship according to its population.

.\ few years after the association got its start,membership was opened to every interested KankakeeCounty farmer. Surrounding counties began taking aninterest in Kankakee's group and formed organizationsof their own.

Collier remained until his death in 1933 whenGeorge Swaim took over as farm adviser. In that vear,just after Swaim took charge, the Soil and Crop.Association joined the Illinois .Agricultural .Associationand became the Kankakee Count)' Farm Bureau,which t()da\ has a count\- membership of more than2,200. Llovd Graham, the present farm adviser, camehere in 1946.

S^(^^CCltC

The horny fists that whipped the raw prairies ofKankakee Count)- were not accustomed to holding penor pencil. Onl\- a few had any skill in figurin', readin'and writin".

But the hard)' pioneers who 100 years ago faced thestruggle for a better life seemed to have knowninstinctively that education held the key to progress.

Thus, they approved heartily when the first pro-vision for public support of free schools was made in1818. That was when Illinois joined the Union, andCongress enacted a law donating a section of land ineach congressional township of six miles square.The proceeds from the sale of this land were

required to be held by the township school trusteesas a permanent fund out on interest. The annualincome was to be apportioned annually bv the trusteesto the various school districts.However, the first schools of the Cit\- and County

were subscription schools, supported by assessmentagainst the parents of pupils. The first school wastaught in 1836 b\- Stella .Ann Johnson, in .AromaTownship, and the second in 1837 at Momence byLorraine Beebe, for whom the settlement there wasfirst named Lorraine.

Histor\- hints that the \cr\- first school of an\' kindin the Cit\' of Kankakee was a pri\ate establishmentset up during the winter of 1853 b\- Frances Houk.who later became Mrs. Koon. .Artemus Ward, accord-ing to tradition, was teacher of the first district school

i^omtfiiinentA

of

SAM'S SHIRT SHOP

Belt Route Warehouse CompanyNORTH WEST AVENUE AND CENTRE STREET

P. O. Box 307 — Tel. 2-2732G. E. Anderson, Pres.

W. C. Babst, Secy.-Treas.

R. J. Carstens, Asst. Secy.

Railroad Siding N. Y. C.

Chicago Freight Rate

Storage Area 66,000 Sq. Feet

One-Story Warehouse

Unlimited Floor Load

Mechanized and Palletized Storage

Storage in Transit Privileges

on Most Commodities

Member American Warehouse Assn.

Associated Warehouse, Inc.

I 31 ]

18 5^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953

Cornersone laying, First Methodist Church, 1867

Clifton House, formerly the Grove City House,East Station Street.

Van Meter Hotel, first Kankakee hostelry. Built in 1853 atFourth and Oak Streets. Still standing Court Street about 1879.

K^omplimentA of

DANIEL F. RICE AND COMPANYSTOCKS

BONDSGRAINS

COMMODITIES

187 S. SCHUYLER KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS PHONE 3-3387

?2 I

UXUJ, DEFABOdbir.

1^ b II *!«*> fc -^ gl)^ laiAakfe fe^tttvouw-wxit. KAJtmif E, ILL, THlRSnJ, |1RCH 26. 18M.

I Im N •. Ut-ltf

fci^O taliwrf •Hiwr TV* auk-

(III" a(iijjn'Ht ni;^~k Mifi

ft8 (0 (be cousequeDcet}

WHOLK NO. 1626

fw« IW U> tl| fHt H 4*/ rM4—

»

Mh. iM ba I ~ J "*» ****

r* (•• k; ika nr«

1 it uui < III inly easy

Own Your Home.A nieetiag will be held neil SalurJay even-

ing at Lalf pasl ueven at Squire Ilipley'g

utKce fur the purpose of discustiing tbe aJ-

visibiiilj of orgituixing a Loan and Home-

stead assocmliun in Kankakee. The effort inill every way woriliy of hearly encouruge-111 ent CD the part uf c^ipitahsts aiiJ pour menalike. The former, who are needed to giveilie thiug a Hulid backing, will make a goodiuierest on iheir money, and the Inner willbe enabled lo borr.iiv money for building pur-poses on the iuHlallineul plan at a slight adViinoe on what they are paying for rent; orin ihc event ibey do not wish to biiil I andhave a little ready money lo invest they willliiid the associaiioii a means of profit. Theseissociatioos L^ve proved very successful andproSlable in Danville, Cliampr.i^n, lloope-stun, I'axton, Waiseka and oilier towns,where hundreds of clerks, mechanics andlaboring rnen owe their ability to obtain theirown homes to such organ izalions.

Nrriuuvly injured.I'eter IVtersua, u S.vode, living in Ibis

cily, jurapel fi-p^^l.b", „,iJl'jiout^n.assenee r

• > •II ftftn la tW !»«• t> kn

tf »ai*t Ckll H* • k «

w4 tkM* »— llf ••»< M J«M*M u .k>. 11 (•I MM* n•m *hu> >k«n I Bl'i kMMllM «rrT •hn iiH .r kHu mJ U*^- Rwmm. h«-*baH4 Nm rarvMiipMkK.I iDiV OMBlCH.

Ikr r UfAflt.

ft J H.iai. P I

nanAoAee /^ ****** v */^* * *

^0lW. A. (CHNSIOEB, PruulMrf

SO. SCHUYLEK AVE. ASSCDCOATOCDNCLIFFORD W. MANN. &«creiarr

mtm «« »aw>a< « Mb iaH IIhM ^ ^ Ik* M^«tMnrf It J»A T>^•a ba Mv* *H «

Mm»^

1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 •

We are proud to be a

part of Kankakeeland

;f-:-^ -r:^: '* "-.••".• t •.: ---r'-.^-if'-

Compliments of

RUDOLF EXPRESS CO395 SOUTH FOREST AVENUE PHONE 3-4466 BRADLEY, ILLINOIS

I^4 ]

5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

ill the cit>' ill 1853. The school's location was vaguelydescribed as being "near the depot."As the city developed and grew, other arrangements

were necessary. A classroom was established in 1855in a room of the old Van Meter hotel, still standing.

Action to secure a city charter and administrativebod)' for tlie schools of Kankakee came in 1861.County Schools Superintendent Thomas P. Bonfielddrafted a charter and it was adopted at a mass meet-ing in the courthouse. The charter became the fifthto be authorized by the State Legislature.At that time there e.xisted five schools within the

corporate limits of Kankakee. Each of these was onthe basis of a district school and each was under theauthority of three directors.

There was a frame schoolhouse on the west side ofthe city where the Jefferson school stands today.Several blocks north, close to Soldier Creek, was asmall brick building used as a school, later employedb\' the Kankakee Stone & Lime Company as a stable.To the northeast on North Indiana Avenue was a smallbrick school building.

The well-known "Flat school" was located on SouthDearborn Avenue, midway between Hickory andBourboiiiuiis Streets. Another small frame schoolhousestood near the present side of Washington school.Kankakee County has had a commissioner or county

superintendent of schools since 1853. The first wasJames Gay, succeeded in 1856 by C. R. Starr. It wasin that year that steps were taken for holding the firstcounty teachers' institute, and such events have beenheld annually since.

Parochial schools were established by local religiousgroups as they grew large enough to support them,and there have been such schools operated by RomanCatholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and United Evan-gelical congregations. There are numerous RomanCatholic and one Lutheran school now serving thechildren of their respective flocks.

The first parochial school was established in 1859in Bourbonnais, this school having been the forerunnerof toda\'s Notre Dame academy. The first institutionof higher learning was St. Viator college, establishedin Bourbonnais in 1869. This institution contributedtremendously to the educational, cultural, and reli-gious life of the community, and from its halls havecome many \oung men who were to achieve promi-nence in national affairs.

St. Viator college was succeeded by Olivet NazareneCollege, which purchased the property 13 years ago,being the onl\' institution of higher learning in thispart of the state, south of Chicago.

As the community developed as an industrial, busi-ness, and agricultural center, it is also a collegecommunity as Olivet exerts its cultural, educational,and religicnis influence, through its classrooms, associ-ated churches, and the talents of teachers and students.

In recent years, there have been vast buildingprograms for public schools throughout the county,and practically every village can point with pride tonew or remodeled buildings with excellent classroom,laboratorv, and stud\' facilities.

Best Wishes for A Successful

Centennial

EBY-CULLEN CO.242 S. EAST AVE.

PHONE 38117 KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

King Edward Cigars

LaPalina Cigars

Robert Burns Cigars

White Owl Cigars

Van Dyke Cigars

LaFendrick Cigars

Schrafft's Fancy Chocolates

Brach's Fancy Candies

Fountain Supplies

Congratulations

Kankakee

FERLISFood Market

307 West Court Street

Kankakee, Illinois

PHONE 3-6426

3 5

18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

R. J. Hanna's Grocery Store253 East Court Street

A.H.PIKE^sthefair

Pike Jewelry Store, East CourtStreet, 1877

Brzinger grocery store. South East Avenue.

LAWRENCE F. RAICHELocksmith

Over a

quarter-century

of service

to the people

of Kankakeeland

326 SOUTH SCHUYLER AVENUE

PHONE 3-4732

KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

56

• 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 •

1 1 2 E. Washington St. 116 w. Walnut St.MORRIS, ILLINOIS WATSEKA, ILLINOIS

LASSERSFURNITURE COMPANY

160-166 South Schuyler Avenue Kankakee, Illinois

FOR 40 YEARS LASSERS

HAVE FURNISHED LOVELY HOMES WITH

Kroehler Living Room Furniture

Bigelow-Sanford Rugs and Carpet

Simmons Mattresses and Box Springs

Zenith Radio and Television

Speed Queen Washers and Ironers

General Electric Stoves and Refrigerators

Rembrandt Floor and Table Lamps

Daystrom Chrome Dinette Furniture

Lane Cedar Hope Chests

Kroehler Bedroom Furniture

Lullabye Juvenile Furniture

Armstrong Linoleum and Tile

and many other nationally advertised brands

I37

1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

KANKAKEE

TOOL & DIE WORKS, INC

• MANUFACTURERS OF STAINLESS STEEL PEN & PENCIL CAPS

• BUILDERS OF SPECIAL TOOLS, DIES, JIGS AND FIXTURES

W. F. HINDERER, President

R. G. HINDERER, Sec'y-Treasurer

462 So. Schuyler Avenue BRADLEY, ILLINOIS

38]

i

5 ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

Miicli of till' improvomciit in facilities has beenmade possible by \'ast programs of school consoli-dation thronghout the county. The day of the one-room rural schoolhouse, remembered with nostalgicaffection by okler residents of the county, has passed.The dream of the hardy pioneer, that his children

and his children's children would ha\e educationalad\ antages that were not his, has become reality.

Journalism began in the Kankakee community when,on .\ugust 29, 1853, the first newspaper was printed ona small hand press under the shelter of an ancient oaktree.

Augustin Chester was the first editor. About him asthe first newspaper sheet was printed were the early-day merchants of Kankakee City, a few women ofpioneer families, and a few curious Indians who stillremained in this area.There was no building to house that first newspaper,

and the tree under \\hich the press was set upprobabK' stood near where the Illinois Central railwaynow crosses the river. The heritage of today's Kanka-kee Daily Journal extends in an unbroken successiondirecth' back to that pioneer newspaper. Two yearslater Editor Chester sold the Gazette to Daniel S.Parker.

In 1S69 Editor Parker—to quote his own writing—"laid down the quill" and sold the Gazette to CharlesHolt, a journalist of experience. He had, in IS48,established the first daily newspaper in Janesville,Wisconsin, the Gazette, and later was part owner andeditor of the Quinc)', Illinois Whig.

Mr. Holt's first announcement of editorial policywas terse and explicit. "Hereafter," he wrote, "theGazette will advocate the principles of the Republicanparty and support the Republican organization."

The Gazette continued under the direction of EditorHolt for nearly half a century, extending down intocomparatively recent times. This has established oneof the major branches of succession by which today'sKankakee Daily Journal is directly linked to thepioneer newspaper.

An abbreviated summary of the development ofjournalism in Kankakee, since the establishment of theC^azette, follows:

Kankakee Joiimal-Estabiished in 1866 by N. H.Taylor, discontinued in 1868.

Kankakee Herald-Started in 186.5 b>- T. M. Kelly,sold about 1869 to N. H. Taylor, who sold it in thesame year to W. F. Keady.Kankakee Times—The name of the Herald was

changed to the Times in 1869 by Publisher Keady. TheTimes was sold in 1881 to Charles P. Livingston andErnest Shaw.

Kankakee Daily Times—The Times became a dailyin 1887 when Hiram J. Dunlop, former Kankakee post-master, purchased the share of Ernest Shaw in thenewspaper.

LOUIS E.

BECKMAN & CO

REALTORS

INSURANCE

FIRST TRUST BANK BLDG.

KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

(^onaratuiati'f

LonA

/rom

BRICE DRUG CO.104 E. COURT ST.

KANKAKEE

I

'^"1

1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953

H. H.TROUP €l CO• LUMBER

. MILLWORK

. HAND & POWER TOOLS • GARDEN SUPPLIES

• KITCHEN CABINETS

• HARDWARE

202 N. EAST AVE. PHONE 3-6619

SINCE 1858

"Kankakee's Building Center"

We invite you to come in during the centennial and see our newly remodeledshowroom. Free gifts!

Ik « > vl^sf. Iflwv;'.

rf

Laying paving on South Schuyler Avenue. About 1896.

Frank Hatch grocery. East CourtStreet, 1880's.

Civil War Cannon, Court House yard. Old Powell Studio, South Dearborn Avenue

[40]

18 5^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

Congratulations

• 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3

ear VamtHOSIERY

Kankakee's progress may be

measured by the

steadfastness of its industries

Bear Brand Hosiery Co. has shared

6 years of Kankakee's

100 YEARS of GROWTH

42 ]

18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 •

(The establishment ot a daily publication was con-sidered a "daring ad\enture," about which HistorianBurt Burroughs later wrote:"Newspaper competitors stood aghast at the news.

There were ail sorts of dire predictions indulged inprivately, while publicK- people patted Charley Liv-ingston on the back and called him 'bullv fellow' ").Kankakee Daily Repv.blican-On March 16, 1903, a

new publishing corporation was formed, called theKankakee Republican Company. The corporation wasorganized b\' 50 stockholders, the principals beingLen Small, who later was twice elected to the Illinoisgovernorship. Sen. Edward C. Curtis, Col. C. R. Miller,Ed Jeffers, and Charles Robinson. The new companybought the Times, and changed the name to theRepublican.

(The event which placed the Daily Republican onits feet, financially, in circulation and editorially,occurred in 191'3 when Leslie C. Small was mademanager on a "temporary" basis. Six managing editorshad failed in that job in 10 years.

That temporary job, however, has continued with-out interruption for 40 \ears. Mr. Small is now presi-dent of the Kankakee Dail\- Journal Company, andeditor and publisher of the' Journal.)

Kankakee Democrat—Begim in 1856 as a weekly byC\rus B. Ingham and Henry Austin, discontinued in1862 after several publishers failed to keep it going.

Kankakee County Union—C\rus B. Ingham startedthis newspaper. Democratic in politics, in 1862. It waspublished three years.

Evening Democrat—Begun in 1885 by R. H. Ballin-ger as publisher and E. H. Bintliff as editor. In 1887the plant was sold to .\lfred Doolittle, who changedthe name to the Kankakee County Democrat. Thepaper was bought in 1SS9 b\- the partnership of JohnBenton (J.B.) Smith and Thomas B. Collins. Theychanged the name back to the Evening Democrat, andwere Kankakee publishers for many years.Kankakee Daily News—Established in 1920 as a

merger of two of the main branches of local news-paper histor}-; the Gazette and the Evening Democrat.The News was published b\ the Kankakee PublishingCompany for 11 years.Kankakee Republican-News— In 1931 there was a

consolidation of the Kankakee Daily Republican andthe Kankakee Daily News. Leslie C. Small continuedin charge of the combineil newspaper as managingeditor. Herman Schmidt, who had been editor of theNews, became city editor of *vhe combined paper.Directors of the newly-formed publishing corporationwere Len Small, H. M. Stone, E. A. Jeffers, S. E.Moisant, and Leslie Small.

In September of 19! 5 the name of the newspaperwas changed from the Kankakee Republican-News tothe Kankakee Daily News.The Journal today is published by a corporation

whose officers and directors are Leslie C. Small,president of the company, editor and publisher of theJournal; .\rthur L. Beckman, secretar\- and treasurer;Burrell L. Small, \ice president and managing editor;Len H. Small. \iee uresident and associate editor.

Serving Kankakeeland

FOR A

Quarter of A Century

T T

COOLEY & SONREALTORS • BUILDER • INSURANCE

Congratulations 100 Years

COURTESYLAUNDRYETTE

• 20 WASHERS

• 2 EXTRACTORS

• 5 DRYERS

3 Attendants to Serve You — You Can Have a

Complete Wash and Dry in Less Than 45 Minutes

221 WEST COURT PHONE 3-3517

1 43 ]

S3 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1QS3

/ff'ifSsJu

K

Stfamer Maigaiit, 1898-1916.

Old Dam Aroma Park, early 1900's. Shekey's boat landing foot of Schuyler Avenue about 1890's.

Compliments of

SOCONY-VACUUM OIL COMPANYINCORPORATED

MobilgasSOCONV VACUUM

AND YOUR

FRIENDLY

MOBILGAS -MOBILOIL DEALERS

441

5 ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5^

CONGRATULATIONSIn extending our best wishes on this

centennial occasion, we of Kroehler want

the people of Kankakee to know how

much we appreciate the fine spirit of

cooperation and the friendly relation-

ships which have always existed be-

tween the community and our company.

PRODUCTS• KROEHLER LIVING ROOM FURNiTJRE

• KROEHLER BED ROOM FURNITURE

• KROEHLER "PUSH BACK"

THEATRE CHAIRS

WORLD'S LARGEST FURNITURE MANUFACTURER

SINCE 1893

PLANTSNoperville . . .

Binghomton . .Konkokee . . .Bradley ....Montreal . . . .

. . Illinois

New York. . Illinois

. . Illinois

. . Canada

DoMas TexasInglewood Californio

Cleveland Ohio

Stratford Canada

SHOWROOMSChicago Illinois

New York City New YorkLos Angeles California

Son Francisco California

I

I

1853 . KANKAKEE

• 1853 • KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 •

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH(Disciples of Christ)

752 East Oak Street

Kankakee, Illinois

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH IS HAPPY TO

HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE CHURCH LIFE

OF THE KANKAKEE COMMUNITY SINCE 1893.

Courtesy of a Member

47]

18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 •^ ^^^ ^y

^^

.t

^^

xs-Js;;^;^-N*^.^;i^is,^^.Xv,^xj5,N5^^,,^5^g^^^^jj^^

lift^

City National Bank

KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

^lo^'UUK a^ Svc*tt4'

SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Morniug — Fair Fantasy—Centennial Flower Show, sponsoredby the Kankakee Kultivators.

Afternoon—Huge Sbriners Parade, featuring spectacular floatsand units from the entire area.

SUNDAY, JUNE 21

CENTENNIAL RELIGIOUS DEDICATION DAY

Morning— Centennial Observance in all Churches. Theme:One Hundred Years of Religion in Kankakee.

Afternoon—12:00—Catholic Open-Air Mass, Marycrest.Fair Fantasy—Centennial Flower Show, sponsoredby the Kankakee Kultivators.

Evening — 8:00—Kankakee Century of Sabbaths Program atFairgrounds. Music by massed Church Choirs.

Brief remarks by leaders of major religious faiths.

MONDAY, JUNE 22—YOUNG AMERICA TODAYMorning— Viewing of Historical displays in retail stores.

10:30—Kiddies Centennial Parade. Awards forbest Old Fashioned Costumes, best decorated ve-hicle, most novel pet.

Afternoon—Fair Fantasy — Centennial Flower Show. Open12:00 noon till 9:00 p. m.

Games and events for small fry and teen agers atCity Parks, sponsored by City Recreation Depart-ment.

Opening of Centennial — "Gay Way," Carnivalrides, fun for all

!

Evening — 9:00—Centennial Costume Ball. Presentation ofCentennial Queen and Court of Houor. Modern andSquare Dancing.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23—DISTINGUISHED GUESTS DAYMorning— Viewing of Historical Displays in retail stores.

Tour of Historical Landmarks, sponsored by Kan-kakee Historical Society.

Fair Fantasy—12:00 noon till 9:00 p. m.

Afternoon—Preliminary judging of "Brothers of the Brush."Honorary Citizenship Award.

Evening — 7:30—Coronation Ceremony, Crowning of Kanka-kee Centennial Queen.

Award to Princesses of the Court of Honor.

8:00 — Premier performance of "KANKAKEECENTURAMA." A mammoth historical Pageantspectacle featuring a cast of over 750 local partici-pants In a 90minute dramatization of Kankakee'shistor.v; all presented on a 2n0foot stage with his-torically authentic costumes and with spectacularlighting effects, followed b.v an exciting fireworksfinale.

10:00—Street Dance—Square Dancing.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24—LADIES' DAYMorning — Viewing of Hi8toric;il Displays in retail stores and

tour of Historical landmarks.

Afternoon—3:00—Ladies' Centennial Tea; Old Fashioned StyleShow; Old Fashioned refreshments and music,sponsored by Kankakee Woi '.iin's Club.

Evening — 8:00—Judging of Ladies' Old Fashioned Costumesat Fairgrounds by the Sisters of the Swish.8:30— Second performance of "KANKAKEECENTURAMA," Historical Pageant-Spectacle, atfairgrounds, with Fireworks Finale.

10:00 — Old Fashioned Square Dance— downtownlocation.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25

PIONEER AND HOMECOMING DAYMorning — Viewing of Historical Displays in retail stores.

Tour of Historical Landmarks, sponsored by Kan-kakee Historical Society.

Afternoon—2:00—Pioneer Recognition Ceremony. Awards foroldest living pioneers of continuous and brokenresidence. Awards to former residents returningfrom furthest points for Centennial.3:00—Preriew presentation of Kankakee Centen-nial Historical and Patriotic Parade. Awards tofloats, marching units and musical groups.

Evening — 7:00—"Brothers of the Brush" semi-finals judgingdowntown reviewing stand.8:00—Drill Exhibition by Kankakee American Le-gion Color Guard—National Champs, 1951.8 : 15—Presentation of Oldest Pioneers at Fair-grounds.

8:30—Third performance of "KANKAKEE CEN-TURAMA," Historical Pageant-Spectacle, withFireworks Finale.

10:00—Old Fashioned Square Dance— downtownlocation.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26—NEIGHBORS' DAYAfternoon—1:00 — TIME CAPSULE CEREMONY— Placing

the names of all Centennial participants; commit-tees, "Brothers of the Brush" and Sisters of theSwish" members. Pageant Cast members, PioneerRegistration list and other records into a perma-nent steel capsule. This capsule will be sealed, bur-ied and marked permanently for opening 100 yearsfrom now in 2053.

Dedication of Historical Building, CentennialRoom, Governor Small Memorial Park.

2:00 to 4:00—Amateur Vaudeville Contest. Opento talent in Kankakee County. Prizes and awards.

Evening — 8:00—Presentation of winners in afternoon eventsat Fairground.

8 : 30—Fourth presentation of "KANKAKEE CEN-TURAMA," Historical Pageant-Spectacle, withFireworks Finale.

10:00—Old Fashioned Square Dancing—downtownlocation.

ffATURDAY, JUNE 27—AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY

Afternoon—3:00—Second presentation of Kankakee Centen-nial Historical and Patriotic Parade. Awards tofloats, marching units, and musical groups.

Evening — 8:00—Final judging of "Brothers of the Brush"Beards contest at the Fairgrounds. Music by the

Barbershoppers.

8.30—Fiiial performance of "KANKAKEE CEN-TTJRAMA," Historical Pageant-Spectacle, withFireworks Finale.

lOiOO^Old Fashioned Square Danc«-location.

downtown

EVEEY AFTERNOON AND EVENING OP THE EN-TIRE WEEK—THE CENTENNIAL "GAY WAY," Carnivalrides, games, concessions and fun for everyone. Plan now toattend the Centennial "Gay Way" often during the celebration

!

NOTE: If unfavorable weather causes postponement of anyperformance of KANKAKEE CENTURAMA, same will begiven on the first night following regxilarly scheduled perform-

ances that weather permits.

Red Cross Bloodmobile available on June 23-24; hours

12:00 to 6:00, Masonic Temple, 124 South Harrison.

/4c&ftoiu'ied^(He«tt^

The Centennial Committee wishes to express their most sincere thanks to every citizen of the county who hasc^ontnb-

uted in any wav to the Centennial effort. They also wish to express deep regret that due to Program Publication dateof

June 1st, it was impossible to include the complete list of so many people who helped in so many ways.

Particular appreciation is expressed to the following:

Painters Union Local No. 467Carpenters Union Local No. 496Stage Hand Union Local No. 435Musicians Union Local No. 288Electrician Union Local No. 963Teamsters Union I^ocal No. 438Contractors Don Trost and James JonesKankakee Symphony and ChorusIllinois Central Railroad CompanyCustodians of Kankakee High SchoolKankakee Historical Society (for loan of pictures)Blatz BreweryMillers BreweryOlivet Nazarene CollegeA. O. Smith Corporation—Time CapsuleSquare Dance Callers—Frank Sullivan, Art Ber:Bcoter, Buss Bone

SUPPLIERS OF HEADQUARTEKSLouis E. Beckman and CompanyJoseph Turk Manufacturing CompanyGucrtin Sign ShopMarcotte Electrical CompanySears, Roebuck and CompanyAmerican Marietta CompanySwannell Hardware CompanyMiner Business Machine CompanyKankakee Water CompanyLassers Furniture CompanyH. J. Porabert and SonsKnights of ColumbusKankakee Lumber & Supply CompanyLawrence RaicheKankakee Valley Advertising CompanyByron Johnson Office SuppliesNational Cash RegisterPark Garage

VOLUNTEER STAFFMrs. ButterfieldMrs. Walter RanzMrs. Earl SkeldonMrs. William CoyMrs. Charlotte SiroisRachael MartinoMarlene BlandMrs. Alma TrahTri-Y Girls Club of the Y. M.

Carol GrumisbJoAnn JensonMadeline WieliczkoBeverly BowmanMarilyn BeaumontMargo TwissMrs. NordmyreMrs. W. L. Marcotte

.A.

SUPPLIERS OF QUEEN CONTESTTransportation

Albert Schneider and Sons—Insurance and Travel BureauHotel

Hotel Kankakee. Kankakee, UlinoisThe Town House. Los Angeles, California

Prizes

Aldens Kankakee, IncorporatedSamuel'sLecoursSwannel Hardware, IncorporatedMontgomery Ward and CompanyW. D. Gousset Sales Company, IncorporatedEdwards Credit Jewelers. IncorporatedKankakee Book StoreTurk I^miture Company

Sears, Roebuck and CompanyHuff and WolfWatland BrothersBlankenberg Photographers, IncorporatedRyan and Ebeling PharmacyKoehler Drug Company. Number OneKoehler Drug Company. Number TwoWalgreen Drug StoresJ. C. Penney CompanyLassers Furniture CompanySalkeld Sporting GoodsCharlie's StoreJaffes Uptown PharmacyVolkmann's

Transportation

LTptown Sales, Incorporated

Beauty Care

Merle NormanAlden's Beauty ShopBeauty MartCentral Beauty ShopThe Fair StorePersonality Beauty SalonSamuel'sParamount Beauty ShoppeKarma Lee's Beauty ShoppeModerne Beauty SalonJust Beauty ShopMilly's Beauty ShoppeZelma's Beauty ShopVogue Beauty ServiceJennie's Beauty Shop

SUPPLIERS OF PARADE PLATFORMCampbell Block CompanyKankakee Shrine Club

SUPPLIERS OF ICE CREAM AND TREATS FOR MONDAYBorden'sMeadow Gold Ice Cream CompanySchnell's Dairy

SUPPLIERS OF SISTERS OF SWISH PRIZESRogers Beautiful ClothesSinger Sewing Machine CompanyWomen of the Moose

SUPPLIERS OF CENTENNIAL CARSClose Motor SalesUptown Sales, Incorporated

SUPPLIERS OF BUS TRANSPORTATIONKankakee County Truck and Bus Owners AssociationKankakee Auto Leasing

WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPRed Cross Service

SUPPLIERS OF KANGAROO COURTAizarelli Trucking CompanyKerr Construction CompanyJoe H. ConleyKankakee Coca-Cola Bottling CompanyRichard D. Ferris Landscape Service

m CENHII !][[

• • •

S(f*tafi4i4^ 0^ Sce*te^

CHORAL OVERTURECentennial Chorus—Dr. Walter B. Larsen, Director

PROLOGUESalute to Our Centennial Queen — The MountedGuard of Honor, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, DrillTeams, Drum Corps, the Township Ladies-iu-\Vait-infj; the ladies of the forty-eiy:ht states all pay theirrespects to Our Centennial Queen and the Prin-cesses of her Court of Honor.

SCENE ONE-LEATHERS OF THE BLACK ROBE"

LaSalle with French missionaries—the first whiteman to visit this area.

SCENE TWO—"COUREURS DE BOIS"Down from Canada came the traders in search offurs. The Indian council with the traders in a ges-ture of peace.

SCENE THREE—"WATCH-E-KEE"The Indian Princess of royal heritage and royalmanner.

SCENE FOUR—"FAREWELL TO KANKAKEE"The Indian trek to the west, making' way for prog-ress—the settling of the white man.

SCENE FIVE—"HAIL, PIONEERS"And come they did—from the east and north. Cour-ageous pioneers, carving a life out of the wildernessand the land.

SCENE SIX—"STRENGTH OF OUR FATHERS"Pioneers, rough and hardy, manifested their faithin God—the beginning of religion in the area.

SCENE SEVEN—"GOOD OLD GOLDEN RULE DAYS"

Readin', 'Ritin', 'Rithmetic, and an un-sparedRod!

SCENE EIGHT—"DOUBLE, DOUBLE HARNESS"

A "Twin Hitehin' "—Had to catch the circuit rid-ing preacher when he came around

!

SCENE NINE—"BOGUS ISLAND"Horse thief gangs troubled the pioneers consider-ably. Captain Seguin settled with them in his ownway.

SCENE TEN—"THE IRON HORSE"The first train arrives— two ribbons of steel nowbound Kankakee with the world.

SCENE ELEVEN—"THE COUNTY SEAT"How it came to Kankakee (and who voted for it!)

SCENE TWELVE—"MEN IN BLUE"Dark clouds of strife fall over the nation and Kan-kakee paid her share of lives to the eau.se of theUnion.

SCENE THIRTEEN—"THE COURT HOUSE FIRE"

The loss of one of the count}' 's finest early buildingsin a disastrous fire in 1872.

SCENE FOURTEEN—"THE GAY NINETIES"The tandem bike — trips up the river — and, ofcourse, the "Belles" of the 1890 's.

SCENE FIFTEEN—"IN FLANDERS FIELD"A World War I memorial.

SCENE SIXTEEN—"THE WORLD'S GREATEST ENTER-TAINMENT"

A flash-back through the highlights of a greatcounty institution—the old Inter-State Fair.

SCENE SEVENTEEN—"IWO JIMA"A World War II memorial.

SCENE EIGHTEEN—"KANKAKEE'S HALL OF FAME"

Kankakee men and women of note, who have madetheir mark in the national scope of affairs.

SCENE NINETEEN—"PARADE OF INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS"

From an agricultural beginning, Kankakee movesforward to take her proper place in the fields of

industry and commerce with pride in her past and

a great faith in her future.

SCENE TWENTY—"CITIZENS OF TOMORROW"

Salute to those who follow—may they inherit pio-neer courage and vision!

SCENE TWENTY-ONE—"A SALUTE TO THE FUTURE"

A spectacular finale picture featuring the entireCenturama east—climaxed by fireworks.

Please remain in your seats until the conclusion of the fireworks.

^e9ttun/^9KCi ^^ut ^*td Sfr

Bonita HeineKaren DorisPatricia MenseAlice AdamaMarilyn BassPeggy KingCarol MindockPatricia Ann Nally

Dolores CornegaySandra AzzarelliMarjorie GiffordCarol Pru«Janice GulczynskiSue NolteMarilyn ToplifE

Drill Team—Women of the MooseMarguerite CryerLucille HendricksButh OttoOline StrawnGoldie CryerLillian CryerHarriett GullettConnie BoudreauMyrtle Haj-hurst

Nellie ReimersEdith NeveauMildred SmithMyrna KavaneyEnth PetersonBarbara JutziTyyne HanesLeoua FrancoeurBernice Poskins

Drill Team—The Gleaners Life Insurance Company

W. H. Maitland, Drill MasterPauline MUoneRuth WrightSue DuboisNellie GoodknechtAlice SchepplerLorrine HernsMargaret McBroomMarie Williams

Drum and Bugle Corp

—

American Legion Post No. 85

Laurine GustinHelen DabnMabel SippelEUa ButzElvira KathmanAnnette TunksMargaret AsherGloris Schoth

Indians for Scene One, Scene Two, Scene Three andScene Four, sponsored by the Wi-IIok-Sila Tribe

101 and Girl Scouts of America

Mrs. H. L. LaugblinHeidi JobansonJuanita SchothSusan JacksonMrs. Harley BaldwinBilly BochViva Lee McCartyDavid SwainMrs. Ed. SnyderMrs. A. J. EicchiMrs. C. G. KendaULynette KendallBetty HuggansCarol Ann McCartyJoseph GuistiDarrell MartinClaude LemnaEugene TinneyConnie GensonCynthia SchothJoyce CarpenterMrs. Harold NallyVirginia EicchiJulia CotsonesNellie KahntEdna StutzPat KahntMrs. Cletus McCartyMrs. Franklin StutzMrs. Clarence JacksonMrs. John W. SmithMrs. Euth Fenner

Linda LauglilinEichard AllenLloyd WilkinsonLorraine BaldwinLeta PenceMrs. Ralph JohansonMr. Roy KlemaMary KlemaLee FredricksonMrs. C. G. CoykendallLynette CoykendallMrs. Edward SnyderMarian TaylorFlorence BurnsConnie BurnsTerry Ann SnyderMary EobeyTeddy KahntMarion DandurandMrs. Olive FarmanBonita DelbertEobert NicholsDenzle PainterEonald EuchnerRichard PetryJohn CoyThomas NallyDavid EichardEichard EolfeEoger WilsonGeorge EdwardsGeorge Ingalls

Ladies Representing the Forty-eight States

—

Sponsored by the Kankakee Business and Profes-

sional Women's Club

Eunice EogersEdith BakerEuby OdleEula ManauElma BedellVida KirkLiUian YonkeGertrude G. ShineMildred DuvalJennie WebbGrace NourieCecil MeentsMabel GriceKatie ChapmanMarjorie DavyHortense KusinskiLeona H. RingeringEvelj-n M. PorterViolette ShimminAva CassidyMary MellMargaret EewertsDorothea CaseyIrene DevineOlga Hodgson

Antonia FritzMarie CarsonLouise MercierMildred MenardLola McMullenLula McMullenWerlyne KeelerMargaret McBroomThelma MillerHelen PalmerBeverly DevineClara TaylorVelma ShimminDoris PrattEuth PrattPearl McCorkleDelia AudetteDarlene HultsLillian GingerVinnie ColemanFrances DePatisGladys ThompsonNina MinerGeraldine McCuenEsther Tripp

Kankakee Townships Ladies-in-Waiting

—

Sponsored by the Ja3'cee WivesCredit Women's Breakfast Club

Wilma RenterRosemary WadleyMarion StouderMarcella Downs

Vivian HarveyBarbara AzzarelliLois Shaunnessy

SCENE ONE—"FATHERS OF THE BLACK ROBE"

Principals sponsored by Holy Name Society,St. Patrick's Church

Cavalier de LaSalle..

Father Ilennepin

.Lloyd Williamson

John C. Brown

Gerard L. DandurandLouis R. DandurandEobert SterrJerry BertrandAdrian RivardGeorge LaEocqueEoland CaronJohn LaneThomas LafifeyE. HoachL. DonovanT. MulcahyHubert OchsHoward GormanEonald McCannTerry DwyerDonald GundAlfred M. OlivettiDallas D. Miller

Indian Dancers

Ken DouglasRobert StonerJerry HessDennis DessRobert Buhrmester

Oscar PapineauDonald FrakeEalph EichardMarvin CnuddeWilliam YatesEdw. KilbrideAnthony L. KillipsJack BattagliaMose ArseneauPaul CardosiDon DandurandLarry SkelleyTim MeyerWilliam YonkeDominick CiaccioEon MarcotteTom KeigherGerald KilbrideJohn Yonke

Harry BuhrmesterBilly DankersEddy ChipmanG. W. Bedell

SCENES TWO, THREE, AND FOUR—"COUREURS DE BOIS"

Principals sponsored by Men's Club,St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Princess Watch-e-kee Mrs. Ruth Fenner

Medicine Man Jerry MessierGuerdon Hubbard Pete Azzarelli

Noel LeVasseur Bud Rivard

Traders

—

Stanley Kohan, Bruce Brown, Herbert Meyer,Lyle Harshbarger

Indian Chief Paul Burkhalter

Bergeron Edgar Donar

SCENE FIVE—"HAIL, PIONEERS"

Principals sponsored by Kankakee Chapterof the American Red Cross

Eloi Marcotte Frank Sullivan

Samuel Davis Ralph Josephson

Violinists

—

William Custer, Paul Wieliczko, J. Russell Harp,

C. C. DummerSquare dancers and townspeople in Scene Five,

Scene Eight, Scene Nine, Scene Ten, Scene Eleven,

sponsored by Kankakee Squares—Mr. Frank Sulli-van, Director

Square Dancers

Mr. and Mrs. Guy BlanchetteMr. and Mrs. Clarence BlakeMr. and Mrs. Ed. BushMr. and Mrs. Art Deneau, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Don DandurandMr. and Mrs. Al FournierMr. and Mrs. Ed. HamljiiMr. and Mrs. Paul LeggMr. and Mrs. Kenneth KraftMr. and Mrs. Woodrow BloomquistMr. and Mrs. Clj'de EahideanMr. and Mrs. James HorchemMr. and Mrs. Paul BisaillonMr. and Mrs. Leopold ZulloMr. and Mrs. George SarakineMr. and Mrs. Floyd AndersonMr. and Mrs. Ray AndersonMr. and Mrs. George Sar.akineMr. and Mrs. Earl MayesMr. and Mrs. R. M. KayMr. and Mrs. J. P. HudsonMr. and Mrs. Wm. B. BrownMr. and Mrs. Carl DummerMr. and Mrs. John EriksenMr. and Mrs. Dave PhillipsMr. and Mrs. Martin CaiseMr. and Mrs. Ralph EkstromMr. and Mrs. Lawrence MetzMr. and Mrs. F. R. BevanMr. and Mrs. G. WilsonMr. and Mrs. R. B. KronMr. and Mrs. J. A. KonrathMr. and Mrs. J. R. BakerMr. and Mrs. Carl HughesMr. and Mrs. G. A. RobertsonMr. and Mrs. Clyde HartMr. and Mrs. John RossMr. and Mrs. C. L. DrummMr. and Mrs. Robert WUhoytMr. and Mrs. Howard Thompson

Mr. and Mrs. Merwin ShearMr. and Mrs. Richard BalgemanMr. and Mrs. A. J. SuprenantMr. and Mrs. Ray JepsenMr. and Mrs. Glen ChristianMr. and Mrs. Anthony SuprenantJosephine Bliss and Arnold W. CookMr. and Mrs. Vin BowersMr. and Mrs. Leonard DemersMr. and Mrs. Lloyd GrangerMr. and Mrs. Harold JensenMr. and Mrs. Roland E. Kehr, Sr.Mr. and Mrs. Walter PrayMr. and Mrs. Wilbur SmallMr. and Mrs. Wilmont TremoreMr. and Mrs. Earl WitthoftCarol Legg and Gene GreeneMr. and Mrs. Emery BaronMr. and Mrs. Jamjes BlakeMr. and Mrs. Glen KingMr. and Mrs. Robert WismaMr. and Mrs. Bill HesterMr. and Mrs. Robert WilhoytMr. and Mrs. Paul GrinsteadPaul Herms and Delores GrinsteadMr. and Mrs. Niel EskildsenMr. and Mrs. Robert WhiteMr. and Mrs. Rusa BehrendsMr. and Mrs. Novval DurandMr. and Mrs. Eddie SnodgrassMr. and Mrs. Rene RaymondMr. and Mrs. Melvin SwaimMr. and Mrs. Ed PoitrasMr. and Mrs. Herb MorseMr. and Mrs. Hallie AllenMr. and Mrs. Don SiefertMr. and Mrs. Noel MartellMr. and Mrs. Lester SiroisMr. and Mrs. Everett MeyersMr. and Mrs. Wilfred ArseneauMr. and Mrs. Ralph EkstromMr. and Mrs. C. DrummMr. and Mrs. Wendell MarrMr. and Mrs. Dewey DutourMr. and Mrs. Frank BarbieriMr. and Mrs. Ed HebertMr. and Mrs. Harry BowersMr. and Mrs. George BazeMr. and Mrs. Perry NoelMr. and Mrs. Raymond CoashMr. and Mrs. Frank MeredithMr. and Mrs. Lesley HulseMr. and Mrs. Earl LockwoodMr. and Mrs. Arnold GebhardtMr. and Mrs. Gene RaymondMr. and Mrs. Orville DamboldtMr. and Mrs. Ernie ZeimerMr. and Mrs. Joe LardiMr. and Mrs. Donald R. SmithMr. and Mrs. Donald JeffersonMr. and Mrs. Leslie StyekMr. and Mrs. Julius Dal CantonMr. and Mrs. Boniface Grey

Children

Celeste WieliczkoMarsha WieliczkoJanet RubyJon CusterTom RivardBobbie KurthSusie KurthDavid KissackKaren EicchieNorman Palow

Townspeople

Mrs. Paula WieliczkoPhylliss GruverLane LongJohn LaGesse

Roylene GruverYolanda GrangerMarilyn NelsonDean WingfieldJudy WingfieldBub WingfieldDonnie AndersonSusie DrazyBilly ByrnesJimmy Haigh

Melvin NelsonJerald GruverTheodore BaU

A. S. Vail John LaGesse

Judge Orson Beebe Lane LongVail's Assistants....Willard Drazy, Clifford Kissack

Clark Earl RubyRoberts Carl Winfield

Philip Bacon Joseph Larde

SCENE SIX—"STRENGTH OF OUR FATHERS"

Sponsored by Holy Name and St. Anne Society,St. Rose of Lima Church

Priest Adelore J. LaPlante

Couples

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas BalthazorMr. and Mrs. Gilbert Breault

Mr. and Mrs. Albert D. Brosseau

Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Coash

Mr. and Mrs. Herman ChefferMr. and Mrs. Paul LeCuyer

Mrs. Lawrence Raiche

Mr. Alexis Boisvert

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lockwood

Children

Nancy LockwoodJoLn LaPlante

Linda LeCuyer

Celesta Raiche

"STRENGTH OF OUR FATHERS"

Sponsored by Women's Society of the FirstMethodist Church

and Trinity Methodist Church

Minister William C. Bohne

The Congregation

Harry Cole

Melvin Nelson

Ellis Tobey

W. B. MalloryM