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 of Kankakee-land people have learned what it means to know Volkmann's. It means satis- faction after you have made a purchase, be it 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. This modern 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 ... to earn and hold the CONFIDENCE of you, the people of our community. VOLKMANN'S lQ^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 anxious to get to my friends and associates a message of my gratitude for what you have done. I accepted the responsibiUtv as General Chairman of the Cen- tennial widi some trepidation, but from all walks of life, from all faidis, and from all nationalities has come a gracious response to the call 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 have demonstrated that Kankakee is a fine city of fine people who have an instinct for working together. To evervone who pla\ed a contributing part 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 historical pageant-spectacle, and we have faith that its echo will be a heightened and continuing connn unity lo\ alty and service as a new century dawns for Kankakee. ROY H. ROBINSON President I 1 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 . ^fm^^ufWi let'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 Journal 180 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 Small SECRETARY-Ron Henriken TREASURER-Fred Hefter EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE BOARD-Mrs. F. I. Still Burrell Small R. E. Francis E. P. Bergeron James Stupka Ed Madison Harold Simmons Percy Loisellc George Luehrs Joseph J. Tolson, Attorney CELEBRATION DI\ ISION CHAIRMEN Finance Division— Len Small Special Events Division — Co-Chairmen, Roy Wilcox— Ed Sale Advance Ticket Sale Division— Harold Cooley Hospitality Division— Co-Chairmen, Mrs. J. C. Bohmker— Mrs. William Volkmann Centurama Division— Miss Dorothy Jansen Publicity Division— Burrell Small FOR THE JOHN B. ROGERS PRODUCING CO. Co-ordinating Producer— Wayne Lemmon Associate Business Managers — Robert Rush. Chris Carter Centurama Director — Tom Chatham Associate Centurama Directors — Dick Spitler, Shirley Spitler Preparation of Dramatic Script— Helen Drynan Lemmon 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, Roy Robinson, 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 were Roy 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 COMPANY CHICAGO KANKAKEE -t ] 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 SOME EARLY KANKAKEE FIRSTS First settler ... in 1848. First ^m\ f^ i M ) ^GSS^^^^ ^BS^JuW iS.^C>E^=~:' dwelling ... in '52. First railroad the I. C. ... in '53. First newspaper . . . the Gazette in '53 . . . first went to press under =->?- a tree. First school in a private home ... in '53. First postmaster . . . appointed in '53. First retail store . . . Clark & Roberts ... in '53 . . ^ first sale, a 75c jackknife. First church . . . in '54 . . . the Presbyterian, north side of Court between Dearborn and Indiana. First became a city in '55 . . . by charter. First plow and first wagon appeared in '55. First carriage and buggy in '56. First county Fair ... '56 . held in the Kankakee Courthouse Square. First ^f ^^4"!^ river transporta- tion . . . in '73 . . . from '73-'83 two barges navigated the river from Handford's landing (10 miles below Kankakee) to Chicago. First electric company came to Kankakee in '85. First gas supplied in 1890. First centennial . . . .July, 1953. PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY 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. V THREE STEPS FOR YOUR 1. 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 protect REAL ESTATE yourself against loss due to defects in the title KANKAKEE COUNTY TITLE AND TRUST COMPANY [6] S 1 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5^ The task of writint; a history of Kankakocland would he a tremi'iulous one were it not for the Atlas of 1883. When that volume was compiled, the publishers were fortiuiate 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 of the 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 be considered an authentic stor\'. He was fortunate in being able to refer to early settlers for their tales of the early davs because many of them were still living in 1883. EARLY HISTORY Being in a prairie state, Kankakeelands early history is the same as that of similar communities. As far as we know, the Indians were the first inhabitants of this area, although there is some trace of an earlier civilization. Almost three centuries ago, or about 1680, the Cavalier De LaSalle, with the authority of the King of France, with the purpose of discovering the outlet of the great Mississippi, organized an expedition to come by way of the Great Lakes. He set sail from Ft. Niagara in the ship, the Griffin, and some time later reached Green Bay. Thirty sturdy ad\enturers were on board with him; two— Tonty and Fr. Hennepin— have become historic personages, 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 cargo of furs purchased from the Indians, he sent her on a return trip to Niagara. Providing himself with canoes, LaSalle and his men, skirted the western shores of Lake Michigan. At the mouth of the St. Joseph Ri\er they built a fort, and after a short rest proceeded up the St. Joseph to a point near where South Benil now stands. There they portaged overland until they reached flowing water and were thus the first 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 the frost-hardened groimd, thc\- would have had diffi- culty- in landing their canoes and in finding a camping place. It is supposed that while it is probably true no white man ever preceded LaSalle in the passing of this portage, >et it was perfectly well-known to him to exist, as his whole expedition seems to have been 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 the lake of the Illinois river, near where the city of Peoria now stands. There they built a fort and garri- soned it. LaSalle then returned by wa\- of the river to a point near where the Kankakee empties into the Illinois; there he left his canoes and returned over- land through what is now Will county, back to his fort on the St. Joseph. Then, for almost a century and a half we have no record that a white man ever saw the Kankakee Valley, although it is quite probable that some of the many fur traders who ventured into this area mav have been here. INDIANS LaSalle found the Pottawatomies in the Green Bay country, but by the time Charlevoix came in 1721 they had migrated to the south and were found in the Kankakee Valley. The Pottawatomies, Ottawas, Oji- bewas, and Algonquins were all members of the Algonquin family and were much alike in dress, customs and manners. They were great hunters and fishers and of warlike bearing. They cultivated Indian corn to a great extent; were idolaters of the strongest type; polygamous, yet revering their wives and daughters more than the other nations about them; and to the French the firmest of friends. In the massacre at Fort Dearborn at Chicago, in 1812, they were the principal actors; bands coming from the St. Joseph, Kankakee, and Illinois countries, composed of the wildest, most bloodthirsty and relentless savages. Pottawatomie villages in Kankakeeland were those of Minemaung or Yellowhead, so named on account of an Indian chief of that name, located near Sher- bournville; Waiskuks, near Waldron, now known as Aroma Park; She-mor-gar (the soldier) or Soldier's Village in Kankakee near the mouth of what we know as Soldier's Creek; the village of "The Little Rock " or Shaw-waw-nas-see at Rock Creek about nine miles northwest of Kankakee. The rights of the Pottawatomies were first given recognition by the United States in January, 1789, in a treaty concluded at Fort Harmer. Many rights were secured to the whites by this treaty; among the most important were provisions for the opening of trade, protection of life, the maintenance of friendly relations, and the right of unmolested travel of the whites in the Indian country. Because the whites violated 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 THE AMERICAN 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 the N'alley of the Kankakee is coneerned, however, the treaty was strictly kept, for not initil the Treaty of Camp Tippecanoe in lS;32-33 did white settlement commence, and except for a ver\' few traders, no white men were in the valle\-. .Vccording to Article 2 of the treat) of Camp Tippe- canoe, certain lands in the Kankakee V'alley were t;i\'en to members of the Pottawatomie tribe; Shaw- anassee received five sections, to include Little Rock village; for Miii-e-maimg, one section to include his village; for Monteno, daughter of Francois Bourbon- nais, Jr., one section at Soldier's \illage; for Catish, wife of Francois Hourbonnais, Sr., one section at Soldier's village; for Washington Hourbonnais, one section adjoining his mother's reser\ation (Catish Bourbonnais); others received grants of land in Kanka- kee Count\-. It will be seen that the ground upon which Kankakee now stands was mostly reservation lands. Article 2 concludes with the following, "the persons to whom the foregoing reser\atioiis are made are all Indians and of Indian descent. " .\mong the fur traders who ventured into the Kankakee \'alley were Francois Bourbonnais, Senior and Junior, who married Indian women and thus were mentioned in the Tippecanoe treaty. These two French-Canadians were descendants of the Francois Bourbonnais who made the historic \o\age of explo- ration with LaSalle in 1679-80. The treaty was signed by some 61 chiefs and headmen for the Indians and various Commissioners and Interpreters (among the latter Gurdon S. Hub- bard) for the United States government. Certain cash payments were made the Indians and to others, one of whom was a Noel LeVasseur who received the sum of $1800.00, which in 1832-33 was quite a size- able sum. GURDON S. HUBBARD AND NOEL LEVASSEUR As a boy of 16 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard had become an employee of the .\nierican Fur Company and made his first trip to the headquarters of the eonipiMiy at Mackinaw, .Michigan, in 1818. There as ;i clerk he entered into a five-year contract with an annual salar)' of $125. .\fter learning the rudiments of the fur trade he was assigned to units penetrating the Iroquois and Kankakee rivers eountrv. While in charge of the trading post at Bunkum, in what is now Iroquois count), Hubbard met and married the Indian maiden \\'atch-e-kee (Watseka), whom he de- scribes as being a handsome, intelligent, and superior Indian woman. The decline of the fur trade must have been foreseen b) Hubbard, because he left the service of the fur company and moved to Chicago. The post at Bunkum in 1832 was turned over to Hubbard's assistant, Xoel LeVasseur, and as Hubbard and Watch-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 a distinct ad\antagc over other buyers. He numbered KANKAKEE To 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 this progress. We have tried to keep pace with the ever-increasing demands made upon us by Kankakee residents. We progressed and expanded here because Kankakee 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 AND PACIFIC 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 Indian sqnaws, Francois Bourbonnais, Jacque Jonveau, Francis Leville and others. W'hen the; Pottawatomies were moved to their new homes west of the Missis- sippi following the Black Hawk War, their lands in llHnois were sold to \\hite settlers. Noel Le\'asseiir naturally was in a position to take ad\antage of this opportunity 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 trips there to induce them to come to Illinois, and settle in the neighborhood of the village of Bourbonnais. .\t about the same time many other settlers were pouring into Kankakeeland. For the most part the\- chose lands on or near the river, 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 these early days it was an object to be as near to them as possible. 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 near Shobar Crossing, now Aroma Park. In LS.34, Enoch Sargent, Asher Sargent, Robert Hill, Col. Wooseter. the \\'orcesters, the Perrys, Orson Beebe, A. S. \'ail and others located on the river near where Momeiice now stands. Following closeK- or shortly prior thereto were William Nichols, the Beebes, Oliver, Marshall, John, Samuel and Daniel, Samuel Johnson, Thomas Hatton, Henry Boucher, John Flagole, William Rantz, David Bloom, A. M. Wylie, John and William Hayhurst, Paul Hathawa\-, Egbert Ostrander, S\lvester Wadley, James and Thomas \anMeter, H. S. Bloom, Lorenzo D. and William Legg, L. P. Farley, A. Marcott, A. L. Miner, Nathaniel and Alphonse Mullen, Mrs. Ellen Dutcher Miner, Andrew Daxton. John and William Smith, 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 to obtain a new start in the newly a\ailable land. New arrivals 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, William Bishop, 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, Leoni Powell, W. W. Todd, H. O. VanMeter and the doctors Henry A. Russell, and J. F. Mazuzon. Of course there were 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'S KANKAKEE'S OLDEST CLEANERS Since 1886 379 SOUTH SCHUYLER AVENUE TELEPHONE 3-8422 C. C. ENGEL P. H. ENGEL THIS YEAR 1953 KANKAKEE 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'S Store For Men 1 1 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 CONGRATULATIONS TO KANKAKEE ON ITS 100 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. INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER 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 CO KANKAKEE, 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 Shop BROOKMONT 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 been modernizing the business district of Kankakee with the finest of modern store fronts. We're proud of Kankakee's record in its first 100 years and will continue to grow and progress with this com- munity in future years. Modern Store Fronts Plate 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 MANG Kankakee'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, prairie fires, sub-zero weather and blistering heat, drought and floods, primiti\e dwellings, and lack of roads and means of transportation made it a life for only the most hard\'. In the very early days most travel was along the old Indian trails, one of which passed through what is now the City of Kankakee. It passed through Bunk- um (now Iroquois) crossed the Kankakee River at Aroma Park, followed what is now the Waldron Road, entered what is now Kankakee on Maple street, passed through the Bonfield Hemstreet property just north of Station street, thence in a northwesterly di- rection through the northeast corner of the court- house square, then crossing the middle of the block between Dearborn and Indiana avenues just north of Court street, thence in a northwesterly direction to north Fifth avenue, crossing Soldier Creek about at the bridge; it then veered in a northerly direction on what is now Fifth avenue and 113 N to Rock Creek, the site of Shaw-waw-nas-see's village. THE FIRST RAILROAD Agitation for a railroad to run the length of Illinois was started in the lS40's, and continued with varied success until finalK in 1850 all of the legislative and legal difficulties were overcome, and in 1851 survey- ors set out to establish the best route. What the coming of the railroad meant to the sparsely settled communit\' is best told b\' the reminiscences of Samuel L. Knight' published in ' the "Gazette" in 18&3. "I was a resident and citizen of Bourbonnais (Grove) at the time the Illinois Central Railroad was located and built, and it may interest the reader to see a record of some of the events of the early settle- ment of our town. During the session of the Illinois Legislature in the winter of 1850-51 the charter of the railroad was granted. In the summer of 1851 the road was located. In June 1852, a man with a four-horse team with a load of lumber, drove up to the "Ameri- can House" which I was keeping, and called for a dinner and horses' feed. After satisfying himself with a dinner of ham and eggs, with a few trimmings added, he ordered out his team and inquired the road to the river, as he wished to cross over to the south side of the Kankakee, to the I.C.R.R. survey. He drove over and deposited his lumber on the prairie one-half mile south of the river (about at Jeffery street). Two or three days after, another stranger came, with a square, scratch-awl, and other tools, and called at the American House, took lodgings for the night, and in the morning inquired the wav to where the first man had left the lumber, and took his departure. The next heard of him was that he had a building up— a blacksmith shop, and had named the place Sacramento. The first man was Milo June and the second was L. W. Walker, and in the employ of Linsley & Co., railroad contractors. In quick suc- cession after June and Walker, came many teams and men, carts, barrows, shovels and spades, and in one year the road was graded from Chicago to Spring The COFFEE CUP We Are HAPPY and PROUD To Be Part Of KANKAKEE IN 1953 686 E. COURT 236 NO. SCHUYLER South Side ROYAL BLUE STORE 899 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 finest 79 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 a compass, chain, etc., called at the American House, took some refreshments and inquired the way to the place where the I.C.R.R. struck the river. The next heard of him was that he had a town platted, but not named. "In the winter of 1852-53, a petition was sent to the Legislature asking for a new county to be taken in part from Will and a part from Iroquois County, and a bill was passed allowing the voters of the two counties to vote on the question. The election was held and the question decided in the affirmative. At that election, Limestone Precinct called out all her voters and decided the contest (which was close) and gave to the name of the county, Kankakee. Immedi- ately after the result of the election for a new county was known, an election was called to determine the location of the county seat. The citizens of Bourbon- nais, Momence, Aroma, and the new town without a name asked for this seat. Friends of the new town, when they got their ticket out, called it Kankakee Depot, 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 higher number of votes, neither having a majority, and an- other election was called to settle the matter. On the day before the election, a gentleman from Chicago came into the county, and was very inquisitive about the new town, and its prospect for the county seat, and when he found there was a chance for Kankakee Depot to be defeated, he announced himself as the Financial Agent of the new town association, and that he was authorized to say to the people of the county, that if they would make Kankakee Depot the county seat, the town association would deed to the count>' the most prominent and valuable block they had, for a court house square, and, in addition to that, would give the county $5,000.00 toward building a court house. Kankakee Depot got a majority of the votes cast at the election. On July 20, 1853, the first train of cars crossed Soldier's Creek culvert on the Illinois Central Railroad, consisting of two car-loads of lumber for Solon Knight, which were unloaded at the end of the track where the stone and cattle yards now are, 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, then building, which was a number of car-loads of lumber. In the month of September, 1853, I was appointed the 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, Phillip Worcester, John W. Paddock, H. C. Paddock, Samuel L. and Solon Knight, William, John and Pleasant Durham, 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 Coal 1 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 - $500 or 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 KANKAKEE SUPERWAY 'The Friendliest Store In Town' OPEN 9:00 TO 9:00 SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 558 EAST COURT STREET 1 AMERICAN-MARIETTA COMPANT" ilVINTS h Genera) Olfiee* Americon-Morferta Building, 101 Eo»t Ontario Street, Chicogo 1 1, lllinoii CHEMICALS • ADHISIViS • RiSlNS • MiTAL POWDERS BUILDING MATIRIALS • HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS Divisions AND SUBSIDIARIES _RICAN-MARIETTA COMPANY ADHESIVE, RESIN AND CHEMICAL PLANT Seattle, Washington KEYSTONE ASPHALT PRODUCTS COMPANY Chicago Helghti, Illinois FERBERT-SCHORNDOftfER COMPANY Cleveland, Ohio MARIEHA PAINT & COLOR CO. Marietta, Ohio • High Point, North Carolina SEWALL PAINT & VARNISH COMPANY Kansas Gty, Missouri • Dallas, Texas UNITED BRICK & TILE COMPANY Kansas City, Missouri AMERICAN-MARIETTA COMPANY OF CANADA LTD. New Westminster, Brtlish Columbia THE ARCO COMPANY Cleveland, Ohio • Los Angeles, California AMERICAN-MARIETTA COMPANY KANKAKEE RESEARCH & OPERATING PLANT Kankolcee, Illinois BERRY BROTHERS, INC. Detroit, MichigoR • Wolkerviile, Ontario CHAS. R. LONG, JR. COMPANY LeuisviHe, Kentucky 1 1 M INDIA PAINT & LACQUER C Los Angeles, California METALS DISINTEGRATING COMPANY, INC. Elizabeth, New Jersey O-CEDAR CORP'N Chicago, Illinois THE MASTER BUILDERS COMPANY Cleveland, Ohio • Buffalo N. Y. Toronto, Ontario OTTAWA PAINT WORKS, ITD^ Ottawa, Ontario jHj AMERICAN-MARIETTA COMPANY OF 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. and William 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, John Tunnison, William Whitcomb, John B. Atkinson, Nathan Chester, Daniel S. Parker, J. G. Knecht, Adam Funk, xMessers. Linslevs, Henrv Bacon, Jacob Fluke, J. C. Mateer, R. O. Scbville, W. F. Kenaga, S. C. and Daniel Kcnega, Sherman and Newton Kenaga, Daniel H. 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 LANDMARKS The first stone building was built by a Mr. Hall and stood on Court street on the lot on which the west half of the Cit\- Banks building now stands. It was used as the oflfices of George M. Stowell, County Clerk, Mr. Gutterson, Circuit Clerk, and A. Chester, as the "Gazette " office. The stone building was burned down 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 Walgreen Drugstore now stands. The frame to that building was raised on June 1, 18.53, and it is related that there was just a road cut through the brush where Court street is, and the place for the store could be seen through a little opening in the trees, which served as a "shoot" for the lumber for the building to be passed through the brush to its destination. The first warehouse was erected by Hiram Good- win on West avenue opposite the Illinois Central freight house. It was occupied b\- Holliday & Reed in the fall of 1854, and was later moved just north of the Court street viaduct. It was destroyed by fire in the 186()"s, and at that time was occupied by Cougar & Ilirsch. NanMeter's Hote'I, slill standing on the southeast corner of Oak street and North Fourth avenue, was erected in the fall of 1853, with a wooden addition to the east built in 1854. The second term of court was held in the hotel. The first lumber yard was openeil by Solon Knight in 1853 on Washington a\enue just south of Hickory street. In 1859 Maj. Albert G. Hobbie erected on the north- east corner of Court and Schuvler a three-storv stone Compliments of PAYNE-STOTLER GRAIN 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 AVENUE KANKAKEE, 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 of Southwest Avenue. Emory Cobb Home. Situated on southeast corner of River Street and South Chicago Avenue. Erected 1866. Illinois Ceniial K'a;liuad iiassenger depot, located at East Avenue and Station Street, 1894 p i p F. Swannell & Son, Dry Goods, 1875 MANCO MFG. CO BRADLEY - ILLINOIS Established J9J9 Congratulations to Kankakee On Its 100th Anniversary [ ^1 1 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, while occupied 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 a ri'iide/.vous on Sunday for the townspeople. In the niitidle of the block between Schuyler anil Dearborn axi'iiues and Court and Oak streets was a small pond. The slope towards the north made it necessary to place on piling the rear ends of the buildings facing Court street. The first brick building was erected on the south- east corner of Dearborn and Court by James Laiub. It was a three-story structure housing the "Morrow House", later the "Murray House", early hotels of that day. On the northeast corner of South East avenue and Station 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 the second floor were the offices of A. W. Mack, and Pad- dock & Moore, attorne>s. The third story became the Masonic Hall. In 1S62, the whole building was con- verted into a hotel by a man named Husted who called the hostelry tlie "Exchange Hotel". Later it was re-named the "Commercial", and was the leading hotel until well after the turn of the century. Peter Makautz erected in 1859 a stone building which stood for many years on the northeast corner of Court street and East avenue. This building housed the 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 of Maple street and Orchard a\enue. This was a rooming and 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 the southwest 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 deaths occurred in the family, they were buried at the rear of 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 where the present church now stands. This structure was built in 1S55. The old Methodist Church on the east side of the 100 block south Dearborn avenue was built in 1855, and later became the City Hall when the present church was erected in 1S6S-69. With but few exceptions almost all of the business buildings erected during the first years of the city's growth were of wood. They presented much the same appearance as do the buildings in any new frontier town, built of all sizes and shapes, painted and unpaiuted. .\s a result of the t\pe of building material used, Kankakee had man\- destructive fires in its earl\- da\s. On Februar\ 27, 1869, all of the buildings burned from the corner of East avenue and Court street south to the middle of the next block. Between 1870 and 1880 frefjuent fires occurred, often destroving as much as a half block at a time. MONEY WHEN 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 KANKAKEE ON 700 Years of Progress Triangle Construction Co. Percy F. Loiselle, Pres. L L Shidler, Sec. [ 24 ] 5 ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 7<& ^' the University of Illinois. Collier's job was to instruct farmers and landowners in soil 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 organization that would get the latest agricultural practices and information to the farmers of Kankakee Countv. The need for such an organization was reflected in the way it was accepted. There was such a demand to join that the leaders restricted membership in each township according to its population. .\ few years after the association got its start, membership was opened to every interested Kankakee County farmer. Surrounding counties began taking an interest in Kankakee's group and formed organizations of their own. Collier remained until his death in 1933 when George Swaim took over as farm adviser. In that vear, just after Swaim took charge, the Soil and Crop .Association joined the Illinois .Agricultural .Association and became the Kankakee Count)' Farm Bureau, which t()da\ has a count\- membership of more than 2,200. Llovd Graham, the present farm adviser, came here in 1946. S^(^^CCltC The horny fists that whipped the raw prairies of Kankakee Count)- were not accustomed to holding pen or pencil. Onl\- a few had any skill in figurin', readin' and writin". But the hard)' pioneers who 100 years ago faced the struggle for a better life seemed to have known instinctively that education held the key to progress. Thus, they approved heartily when the first pro- vision for public support of free schools was made in 1818. That was when Illinois joined the Union, and Congress enacted a law donating a section of land in each congressional township of six miles square. The proceeds from the sale of this land were required to be held by the township school trustees as a permanent fund out on interest. The annual income was to be apportioned annually bv the trustees to the various school districts. However, the first schools of the Cit\- and County were subscription schools, supported by assessment against the parents of pupils. The first school was taught in 1836 b\- Stella .Ann Johnson, in .Aroma Township, and the second in 1837 at Momence by Lorraine Beebe, for whom the settlement there was first named Lorraine. Histor\- hints that the \cr\- first school of an\' kind in the Cit\' of Kankakee was a pri\ate establishment set 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 Company NORTH WEST AVENUE AND CENTRE STREET P. O. Box 307 — Tel. 2-2732 G. 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 at Fourth and Oak Streets. Still standing Court Street about 1879. K^omplimentA of DANIEL F. RICE AND COMPANY STOCKS BONDS GRAINS COMMODITIES 187 S. SCHUYLER KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS PHONE 3-3387 ?2 I UXUJ, DEFABOdbir. 1^ b II *■!«*> fc -^ gl)^ laiAakfe fe^ttt vouw-wxit. KAJtmif E, ILL, THlRSn J, |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 in ill every way woriliy of hearly encouruge- 111 ent CD the part uf c^ipitahsts aiiJ pour men alike. The former, who are needed to give ilie thiug a Hulid backing, will make a good iuierest on iheir money, and the Inner will be enabled lo borr.iiv money for building pur- poses on the iuHlallineul plan at a slight ad Viinoe on what they are paying for rent; or in ihc event ibey do not wish to biiil I and have a little ready money lo invest they will liiid the associaiioii a means of profit. These issociatioos L^ve proved very successful and proSlable in Danville, Cliampr.i^n, lloope- stun, I'axton, Waiseka and oilier towns, where hundreds of clerks, mechanics and laboring rnen owe their ability to obtain their own 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 !»«• U t*«H»tMknik>tal* K L Wnai u roiMAII k OOOIt-1. HU U PwuBm n* ntr lM-«lia OMt twi t"* r»-n •» "Mik tu M liuCI »*A*r \. tCta h«.>.^ I* I E Bn»'«. Mn Tk< l>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 rarvMiip MkK.I iDiV OMBlCH. ■ Ikr ■■ r UfAflt. ft J H.iai. P I nanAoAee /^ ****** v */^* * * ^0l W. A. (CHNSIOEB, PruulMrf SO. SCHUYLEK AVE. ASSCDCOATOCDN CLIFFORD W. MANN. &«creiarr mtm ■«« »aw>a< « Mb iaH IIhM ■ ^ ^ Ik* M^« tMnrf It J»A T>^ •a ba Mv* *H « Mm»^' ill 1853. The school's location was vaguely described as being "near the depot." As the city developed and grew, other arrangements were necessary. A classroom was established in 1855 in a room of the old Van Meter hotel, still standing. Action to secure a city charter and administrative bod)' for tlie schools of Kankakee came in 1861. County Schools Superintendent Thomas P. Bonfield drafted a charter and it was adopted at a mass meet- ing in the courthouse. The charter became the fifth to be authorized by the State Legislature. At that time there e.xisted five schools within the corporate limits of Kankakee. Each of these was on the basis of a district school and each was under the authority of three directors. There was a frame schoolhouse on the west side of the city where the Jefferson school stands today. Several blocks north, close to Soldier Creek, was a small brick building used as a school, later employed b\' the Kankakee Stone & Lime Company as a stable. To the northeast on North Indiana Avenue was a small brick school building. The well-known "Flat school" was located on South Dearborn Avenue, midway between Hickory and Bourboiiiuiis Streets. Another small frame schoolhouse stood near the present side of Washington school. Kankakee County has had a commissioner or county superintendent of schools since 1853. The first was James Gay, succeeded in 1856 by C. R. Starr. It was in that year that steps were taken for holding the first county teachers' institute, and such events have been held annually since. Parochial schools were established by local religious groups as they grew large enough to support them, and there have been such schools operated by Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and United Evan- gelical congregations. There are numerous Roman Catholic and one Lutheran school now serving the children of their respective flocks. The first parochial school was established in 1859 in Bourbonnais, this school having been the forerunner of toda\'s Notre Dame academy. The first institution of higher learning was St. Viator college, established in Bourbonnais in 1869. This institution contributed tremendously to the educational, cultural, and reli- gious life of the community, and from its halls have come many \oung men who were to achieve promi- nence in national affairs. St. Viator college was succeeded by Olivet Nazarene College, which purchased the property 13 years ago, being the onl\' institution of higher learning in this part of the state, south of Chicago. As the community developed as an industrial, busi- ness, and agricultural center, it is also a college community 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 building programs for public schools throughout the county, and practically every village can point with pride to new 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 FERLIS Food Market 307 West Court Street Kankakee, Illinois PHONE 3-6426 3 5 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 R. J. Hanna's Grocery Store 253 East Court Street A.H.PIKE^ sthefair Pike Jewelry Store, East Court Street, 1877 Brzinger grocery store. South East Avenue. LAWRENCE F. RAICHE Locksmith 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 LASSERS FURNITURE 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 I 37 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 been made possible by \'ast programs of school consoli- dation thronghout the county. The day of the one- room rural schoolhouse, remembered with nostalgic affection 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 educational ad\ antages that were not his, has become reality. Journalism began in the Kankakee community when, on .\ugust 29, 1853, the first newspaper was printed on a small hand press under the shelter of an ancient oak tree. Augustin Chester was the first editor. About him as the first newspaper sheet was printed were the early- day merchants of Kankakee City, a few women of pioneer families, and a few curious Indians who still remained in this area. There was no building to house that first newspaper, and the tree under \\hich the press was set up probabK' stood near where the Illinois Central railway now crosses the river. The heritage of today's Kanka- kee Daily Journal extends in an unbroken succession directh' back to that pioneer newspaper. Two years later 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 Charles Holt, a journalist of experience. He had, in IS48, established the first daily newspaper in Janesville, Wisconsin, the Gazette, and later was part owner and editor of the Quinc)', Illinois Whig. Mr. Holt's first announcement of editorial policy was terse and explicit. "Hereafter," he wrote, "the Gazette will advocate the principles of the Republican party and support the Republican organization." The Gazette continued under the direction of Editor Holt for nearly half a century, extending down into comparatively recent times. This has established one of the major branches of succession by which today's Kankakee Daily Journal is directly linked to the pioneer newspaper. An abbreviated summary of the development of journalism in Kankakee, since the establishment of the C^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 the same year to W. F. Keady. Kankakee Times— The name of the Herald was changed to the Times in 1869 by Publisher Keady. The Times was sold in 1881 to Charles P. Livingston and Ernest Shaw. Kankakee Daily Times— The Times became a daily in 1887 when Hiram J. Dunlop, former Kankakee post- master, purchased the share of Ernest Shaw in the newspaper. 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 remodeled showroom. Free gifts! Ik « > vl^sf. Iflwv;'. rf Laying paving on South Schuyler Avenue. About 1896. Frank Hatch grocery. East Court Street, 1880's. Civil War Cannon, Court House yard. Old Powell Studio, South Dearborn Avenue [40] 18 5^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 Congratulations INTEGRITY KNOWLEDGE To the Kankakee Area and everyone who EXPERIENCE has contributed to the success of the Cen- ETHICS tennial. With these and other valuable requisites, we have safe- JAFFE Si SONS guarded the medicinal re- quirements of your families for over a quarter of the century. Men's Wear HAHENBURG'S PHARMACY Inc. • A. F. HATTENBURG, R. Ph. G. 160 E. MERCHANT ST. - PHONE 2-1012 "Home of Nationally AdverHsed Brands" KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS CORNER COURT & SCHUYLER • KANKAKEE, ILL. "QUALITY IS PRICELESS" COMPLIMENTS Not TOO Years Yet . . . OF BUT HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF JERKPS SATISFIED SANDWICH SHOP CUSTOMERS! r- • KANKAKEE CITIZENS SYSTEM ▼ 907 S. WASHINGTON AVE. "When You Need Money, Use Ours 1" KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS 198 S. SCHUYLER - PHONE 3-6671 - KANKAKEE 41 • 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 ear Vamt HOSIERY 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 Historian Burt Burroughs later wrote: "Newspaper competitors stood aghast at the news. There were ail sorts of dire predictions indulged in privately, 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 the Kankakee Republican Company. The corporation was organized b\' 50 stockholders, the principals being Len Small, who later was twice elected to the Illinois governorship. Sen. Edward C. Curtis, Col. C. R. Miller, Ed Jeffers, and Charles Robinson. The new company bought the Times, and changed the name to the Republican. (The event which placed the Daily Republican on its feet, financially, in circulation and editorially, occurred in 191'3 when Leslie C. Small was made manager on a "temporary" basis. Six managing editors had 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, and editor and publisher of the' Journal.) Kankakee Democrat— Begim in 1856 as a weekly by C\rus B. Ingham and Henry Austin, discontinued in 1862 after several publishers failed to keep it going. Kankakee County Union— C\rus B. Ingham started this newspaper. Democratic in politics, in 1862. It was published three years. Evening Democrat— Begun in 1885 by R. H. Ballin- ger as publisher and E. H. Bintliff as editor. In 1887 the plant was sold to .\lfred Doolittle, who changed the name to the Kankakee County Democrat. The paper was bought in 1SS9 b\- the partnership of John Benton (J.B.) Smith and Thomas B. Collins. They changed the name back to the Evening Democrat, and were 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 Publishing Company for 11 years. Kankakee Republican-News— In 1931 there was a consolidation of the Kankakee Daily Republican and the Kankakee Daily News. Leslie C. Small continued in charge of the combineil newspaper as managing editor. Herman Schmidt, who had been editor of the News, became city editor of *vhe combined paper. Directors of the newly-formed publishing corporation were Len Small, H. M. Stone, E. A. Jeffers, S. E. Moisant, and Leslie Small. In September of 19! 5 the name of the newspaper was changed from the Kankakee Republican-News to the 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 the Journal; .\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 & SON REALTORS • BUILDER • INSURANCE Congratulations 100 Years COURTESY LAUNDRYETTE • 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 COMPANY INCORPORATED Mobilgas SOCONV VACUUM AND YOUR FRIENDLY MOBILGAS -MOBILOIL DEALERS 44 1 5 ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5^ CONGRATULATIONS In 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 PLANTS Noperville . . . Binghomton . . Konkokee . . . Bradley .... Montreal . . . . . . Illinois New York . . Illinois . . Illinois . . Canada DoMas Texas Inglewood Californio Cleveland Ohio Stratford Canada SHOWROOMS Chicago Illinois New York City New York Los Angeles California Son Francisco California I ■<=> I 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 SINCE 1 893 L^ompliinentA C. RUHLE Wm. H. Stevens Builders' Supplies Office & Warehouses HOTPOINT HOME APPLIANCES 503 S. WEST AVE. T KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS PHONE 3-4813 OFFICE PHONE 3-3132 RES. PHONE 3-9048 242 WEST JEFFERY ST. KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS One-Fifth Century of Operation (ESTABLISHED 1933) RADIO DOCTORS SUPPLY HOUSE Electronic Wholesalers 220 E. STATION ST., KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS WE ARE HAPPY TO SERVE THE CITY OF KANKAKEE AS DESIGNING AND CONSULTING ENGINEERS ON ITS VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS WARREN & VAN PRAAG, INC. Decatur, Illinois ALEX VAN PRAAG, JR., PRES. ASSOCIATES J. R. GARDNER F. S. MORSE A. A. BRENSLEY V. H. MOORE W. S. BURLINGAME B. F. BEHRENDT [46] • 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 ^^ .tL ;ii^-yi V ^^^>^,l5- ' ■ ' '. lan 1953 Ala/re T/je F/rst Trust Your Bank for the Future FIRST TRUST & SAVINGS BANK OF KANKAKEE I ■*9 ] 8 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 Historical Society Parade down Court Street, 1948. American Legion Drum Corps, Post No. 85. Second place winner, Paris, 1928. SINCE 1894.. . It is much easier for a city to reach its centennial year than a store to chalk up 59 years. Since its founding in 1894, the Fair Store has enlarged and remodeled many times . . . until today, its square-foot floor area is 35 times the original size. This fabulous growth was achieved by unrelenting effort to serve the people of this great community with quality merchandise at honest prices. [50] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 SWANNELL'S and KANKAKEE Grew Up Together Kankakee was just a four-year-old youngster when Frederick Swannell left England and in 1857, started a retail dry goods store in the one hundred block on Court Street. In 1868 he erected a new building on the southeast corner of Court Street and Schuyler Avenue, now occu- pied by Montgomery Ward and Company, and moved the business to that location where it continued for forty-five years. As time went on Mr. Swannell's sons entered the busi- ness and finally a grandson, so that the firm's names over that period were F. Swannell and Son, C. E. & A. Swannell and then Arthur Swannell and Son. In 1916 the Swannell name became identified with another type of retailing — hardware — still with a Court Street location but at the corner of Dearborn Avenue. Swannell Hardware is now thirty-seven years old and has always tried to carry out the traditions, established by Frederick Swannell ninety-six years ago, that the enduring principles for successful retailing are quality merchandise, dependable service and fair prices. These ninety-six years of business experience by four generations of the family, through four war periods and many booms and depressions, still prove the wisdom of the founder. 1875 Kankakee's leading re- tail store in 1875. The location — Southeast corner of Court Street anci Schuyler Avenue. 1953 Today at the corner of Court Street and Dear- born Avenue stands Swannell's modern re- tail store. HAR&WARE DEPARTMENT STORE COUHT ST. AT DIARBORN AV£. • • - • DIAL i -6624 [ 51 ] 18 5 1 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 Compliments of City Beverage Company DISTRIBUTORS FOR Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer and Atlas Prager Beer 601 WEST SENECA STREET KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS PHONE 2-3611 BEST WISHES COMMERCIAL UNIFORM FACTORIES PEERLESS PANTS COMPANY AND EMPLOYEES CORN BELT FEED and CORN BELT CHICKS The Perfect Combination For Greater Poultry Profits ▼ T SOLD ONLY BY CORN BELT HATCHERIES, INC. 139 No. Dearborn Ave. Phone: 3-4464 KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS JOHN DEERE Implements Parts Service CORN BELT HATCHERIES, INC. 139 No. Dearborn Ave. Phone: 3-4464 KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS 52 1 8 T ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 1 q s 1 ^i!d H ^ li gi ft ■ HH ^m ■^^^^^^^i ■ t ■ ■1 McGrew Mill fire. Riverview Hotel, built by Emory Cobb 1887. Departmental school fire, 1946. Indiana and Station Streets. Ruins of Remington Theatre fire, 1912. Ruins of Riverview Hotel, burned 1897. 59 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 Compliments and Best Wishes of WARD BAKING CO Enriched TIP-TOP BREAD and TIP-TOP CAKES 132 Main Bourbonnais, III. Compliments and Best Wishes of "Just the kiss of the hops — None of the bitterness' JACOB A. STEGMEYER 305 N. East Avenue Kankakee, III. COMPLIMENTS OF Kankakee County Association of Insurance Agents Andrews Agency Louis E. Beckman Cooley & Son Walter C. Deucshle D. L. Durham & Son Whitney Ferris Bert J. Fitzgerald & Son James Ginger Tom Houde, Inc. R. M. Jeffries J. L LeClaire & Sons Wm. A. Lemenager & Co. Ed. P. Madison S. E. Moisant & Co. Albert Schneider & Sons Milton Shapiro Speckman Ins. Agency Albert Stang Harry L. Topping E. G. Warmbir Kenneth L. Wiser [ 60] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 there. The Amberg File & Index Compaiu' of Chica Rear Brand IIosier\- Company, Kroehler Manufacturing Company, and Florence Stove CompauN' helped materially to ease the burden of the depression in the Kankakee area in the earlv 1930's. The first steps toward di\ersification of industry was accomplished with the establishment of the General Foods Corn Mill Division in 1936. Kankakee has progressed rapidly since World War II, starting in 1945. Five new industries have located plants in the City including Armstrong Cork com- pan\', Bordm's So\- Processing company. Chemical lDi\ision of General Mills, A. O. Smith corporation, Gould National Batteries, Inc., The Simoniz company, and Armour Laboratory, a division of Armour and Compan\'. In addition. General Foods corporation, an existing industry mo\ed in the Gaines Dog Food di\ision. constructing a new plant to house the new industry. General Foods corporation has just recently com- pleted the construction of a huge warehouse, the Kankakee Distribution Center, from which all prod- ucts of General Foods are distributed to a large por- tion of the United States. The General Foods corporation has also located the Gaines Research Kennels along the Kankakee river appro.ximately seven miles from Kankakee on a 200 acre farm. Armour and Company are now completing their Pharmaceutical Laboratory' on a 172-acre tract of land north of Bradley. Construction will be completed this summer. It will cost in e.xcess of 12 million dollars and emplo)- 500 people. The Simoniz company is constructing a new plant south of the city. Operation will start late in 1953. Large expansions were made by David Bradley Manufacturing Works, Joseph Turk Vlanufacturing compan\', American -.Marietta company, Florence Sto\e company, K;;nkakee Pattern & Machine com- pany, Kroehler Manulacturing company, Kankakee Tool and Die Works, Kankakee Clay Products com- pany, and Amberg File and Index company. This rapid growth made necessary enlarged facilities by the Public Ser\ict- company, the Kankakee Water company, and the Illinois Bell Telephone company. Chamber of Commerce officials estimate the total cost of new and expanded plants for buildings and equipment and the added facilities of the public utili- ties amounted to at least .$45,()()(),()()(). Local industry now employs about S, ()()() people. Three important trunk line railroads provide freight service to Kankakee, and two of these lines serve the city with fast, frequent passenger service. Kankakee ENJOY THE WORLD'S FINEST ENTERTAINMENT SEE THE LATEST IN OUTSTANDING HOLLYWOOD ATTRACTIONS C. onaratulationi I ig, TO A SPLENDID COMMUNITY ON ITS lOOTH BIRTHDAY BARBER LOCAL No. 686 KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS I 61 1 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 1 have been associated with the Electrical It has been a pleasure to Industry for 45 years of the 100 years of serve KANKAKEE and KANKAKEE existence of Kankakee, i wish to thank the COUNTY the past 22 years and people of this community for their patron- we're looking forward to serving age over this long span of years. Kankakee you even better in the future. has been kind to me. ▼ T MYERS BAKERY 800 MAIN ST. T POTTER ELECTRICAL SHOP 955 E. Locust St. KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS Kankakee, Illinois PHONE 2-5214 G M C Louis Pearlman & Sons Trucks Waste Material • W T LaBEAU BROS. 564 North Entrance Avenue PHONE 3-5115 295 N. HARRISON AVE. [ 62 ] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 is on the main line of the Illinois Central railroad, which operates betsveen Chicago and New Orleans, with branch service to St. Louis. The Big Four Rail- road, operating between Chicago, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati, provides freight and passenger service on direct routes between Kankakee and major centers of the country. The Big Four is an operating unit of the New York Central railroad system. The Kankakee Belt Route, also part of the New York Central system, operates in an arc between South Bend, Indiana, on the east, and Zearing, Illinois, on the west. Kankakee is the division headquarters of the Kanka- kee Belt Route which operates a city switching yard, and other yard facilities bcNond the city limits in West Kankakee. The Illinois Central has a nine-track freight and switching yard in the city and another switch yard south of the city limits. Over 40,000 cars are loaded annually in the Kanka- kee area with the products of factories, farms, re- fineries, quarries, and mines. Manufactured articles include foods, chemicals, paints, drugs, furniture, cast- ings, and machinery. Specialized types of railroad equipment required to move some commodities are available at nearly all times. Twenty-seven intercity truck lines provide daily service to and from all principal cities, and four interurban bus lines operate an average of 38 buses through Kankakee daily. The Kankakee Motor Coach Company serves the Kankakee area with 47 miles of city bus routes. Three U. S. highways and four state highways serve Kankakee from all directions. One of these, U. S. route 54, is a forty-foot super-highway direct to Chicago, constructed in 1928 during the administration of Governor Len Small. Population figures for the Kankakee area are as follows: City of Kankakee Kankakee County 1870- 5,189 1900-37,154 1880- 5,782 1910-40,752 1890- 9,285 1920-44,940 1900-13,595 1930-50,095 1910-13,986 1940-60,877 1920-16,753 1950-73,524 1930-20,620 1940-22,241 1950-25,856 1950 Kankakee-Brad- ley-Bourbonnais-West Kankakee and ad- jacent territory— 41,264 High water, Riverview Park, March 25, 1913. FORTIER'S SHEET METAL WORKS 1915-1953 VENTILATION HEATING AIR CONDITIONING 271 South Schuyler Ave. KANKAKEE THE INTERSTATE CO. ILLINOIS CENTRAL R.R. STATION Welcomes You To The Centennial Specializing In Quick And Efficient Food Service Also Carrying Complete Lines Of Magazines And Periodicals I M ) 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 Original Emergency Hospital (St. Mary's). Fountain in northeast corner Court House Square, about 1890. Quarrying Operations, South Side Quarry (Sinclair) about 1900. Powell's Cottage, known as Bide-A-Wee. Mouth of Baker Creek, 1902 Salutes Kankakee's 100 Years of Progress Aldens, Kankakee's largest and most complete department store came to Kan- kakee in 1944. Since that time we have kept pace with this fast growing, alert city by constantly altering our business to the needs of the community and its citizens. We are proud to have con- tributed 9 years to Kankakee's first 100 years of growth and progress. I 64 ] 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 • HAARE'S INN Congratulations on 458 W. STATION ST. WO Years of Progress KANKAKEE HUFF and WOLF JEWELERS • Fish on Fridays CHICKEN ON SATURDAYS 127 So. Schuyler Kankakee, Illinois Blankenberg Photographers INCORPORATED Studio Established In 1913 At Same Location Marcotte Hatrk Shop WIRING AND CONTRACTING Congratulations on 100 Years of Progress Portrait • Commercial • School Photography Photo and Lithograph Annuals Covers and Binding TELEPHONE 3-5031 STUDIO Phone 2-4117 CAMERA SHOP Phone 3-4012 368 SO. FOURTH KANKAKEE 141-143 No. Schuyler Ave. Kankakee, 65 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 1953 2V2 Million Dollar Campus From simple beginning. Olivet has grown to great propor- tions. The entire populace, some 1000 students, 70 faculty mem- bers, scores of workers, and manv friends live on or near the campus in Greater Kankakee, which once knew the tribe of the Pottawattamies. Olivet is a co-educational. Liberal Arts, Christian college, with the motto "Education with a Christian Purpose." Its equipment is superior: 108 acres of campus and playing fields, a fine library, well equipped laboratories, chapel, attractive dormitories, and one of the finest physical education buildings in the Middle-west. Olivet offers twenty-four departments in liberal arts from which to choose. Complete degree programs are available in vari- ous fields of learning. Expenses are moderate. A limited number of scholarships are offered and students are assisted in locating employment. OLIVET NAZARENE COLLEGE HAROLD W. REED, Th.D., D.D., President Kankakee, Illinois Accredited by Illinois Stote Deportment of Public Instruction and the Uniyersity oi Ulinois [ 66 ] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 T^dc^Ci <^*t ut ^eut^^a^elcutd Coming to a land where there was bountiful fertility, a wild beaut>-, and unlimited opportunit\-. the pioneer settler in Kankakee Count\- had in his heart the ancient song of the Psalmist: "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world and the>' that dwell therein." There was many a rough, unlettered but God-fear- ing pioneer who, when he chose a site for his new home amid the tangled growth of a prairie grove or river woodland, first knelt in petitioTi for God's blessing upon the rude habitation that was to rise. Having built his home, his thoughts turned to a place and the means for worship, and so organized religion came to Kankakeeland. Undoubtedly, the first religious services in the Kankakee area were those of the Roman Catholic Church. Father Lalumiere was the first priest to visit the primitive \illage of Bourbonnais in June, 1837, and Father Pontavisee built the first log church of the count\- in 1841 on the site of the present rectory of Maternitv Church. The church was then called St. Leo's. The Rev. James Cote, who became pastor in 1864, felt the need for high-level educational facilities in the growing communit\- and arranged with the priests and brothers of the comniunit>- of St. \'iator to establish a college in 1865. As the years passed, the college was increased in phvsical size and educational scope. Some of the most prominent men of the nation in educational, religious, business, and labor circles obtained their educations at St. \'iator college. One of the oldest churches in Kankakee County is the Baptist Church of Momence, organized December 16, 1852, by the Rev. Storrs. The first house of worship was erected in 1852 and the second in 1902. This year is the centennial of the First Methodist Church of Kankakee, the history of which dates back to first services conducted in 1832 1)>- the Rev. Elihu Springer, circuit rider of the Peoria mission. He preached in a log house that stood in the center of what is now Harrison .Avenue, east of the courthouse square. Later worship services were held on the second floor of the Illinois Central depot. In 1853 the Rev. Chester Springer was appointed as a circuit rider to live in Kankakee and organize the Methodists. The first church building was erected in 1855 on Dearborn .\venue, south of Court Street, and this later became the city hall. The first part of the existing massive stone edifice was erected in 1867. The Methodists were zealous evangelists and mis- sionaries, and as a result new churches sprung up all over the county. .\s a matter of fact, the first Methodist church in the countv was established as Sherburn- ville in 1&38. St. Rose Roman Catholic Church was established in 1855, according to the account in the \olume of county history. The Rev. Louis Cartuyvels was the first pastor. \Nl'Rl ONLY 27 YEARS OLD! But during our 27 years in Kankakee we've financed thousands of families and individuals — and learned a lot about the kind of money service people like. We try to offer that kind of service. Personal Loans Up To $500 Kankakee Investment Co., Inc. 301 VOLKMANN BLDG. PHONE 3-5583 Compliments of Canteen Service Company ROUTE 54, NORTH KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS PHONE 2-4932 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 Insurance Real Estate T T FOR ENDURING Beauty PLUS UNMATCHED CONVENIENCE Choose Clay Tile "Centuries of Use Proves Its Superiority" COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL Accessories ■ Medicine Cabinets ■ Repairing Remodeling Restyling ■ Popular Colors Fair Prices * Attentive Service Nationally Advertised Brands HARRY L. TOPPING DIAL 2-2063 ARCADE BLDG. PHONE 3-6659 ROBERT ADAME TILE & MARBLE CONTRACTOR "Your Neighbor Has One Of Our Floors" 1204 EAST COURT ST. Compliments of . . . r\ou «3A< '^ apiro ip^ ROY SHAPIRO MEN'S WEAR 122 EAST COURT STREET KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS BERT L. FITZGERALD & SON Insurance • Bonds First Trust Bank Building ▼ T PHONE 3-7729 KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS 1906 1953 68 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 The parish of St. Rose emhraeed not only the city ot Kankakee, but also the settlements at Goodrich, Pilot, and Irwin, and the priests in Kankakee served these churches until pastors were assigned them. St. Mary Hospital, first called Emergenc\ Hospital, which stands across the street from the present-da\- spacious and imposing St. Rose Church, was an out- growth of the spirit of service and devotion of early members of the church. For many ears St. Rose parish embraced, not merely Kankakee, but also the Goodrich, Pilot, and Irwin communities, and the pastors of St. Rose served those districts until the\ could form parishes of their own. In 1874, when the German Catholics had become numerous enough, they founded Immaculate Concep- tion parish, later called St. Mary parish. In August, 1S55, a meeting was held in the Richard Laver\' store for the purpose of forming the Irish- American Association for "the spiritual, intellectual, and social improvement of its members." In April, 1891, the name was changed to the Catholic Columbian Association. The aim seems to have been to obtain the appointment of an English- speaking priest to have the particular charge of the Irish parishioners. However, the real object was to eventually establish an English-speaking parish. The Rev. J. J. Darc>- was assigned in 1892. The first mass was celebrated in the G.A.R. Hall on East Court Street on July 2. After that services were held in St. Joseph Hall on West Court Street, until the erection of the present St. Patrick church in 1894. The first Presb\-terian Church of Kankakee was organized in 1854 by a committee headed by the Rev. Wilson of Chicago and the Rev. Peck of Rockville, appointed to that task by the Chicago New School Presb)'tery. During the summer of 1858, the question of chang- ing the attitude of the church from the New School to the Old School body resulted in a renewal of faith in the Presb\-terian standards, and in uniting with the Old School branch of the Preslnterian Church. Soon after this, the Rev. M. W. Staples of Janesville, Wis- consin, was called as the first pastor. The first place of worship, erected in the fall of 1855 on the site where the present church stands, was re- moved in 1879 to make room for the existing church. The first Baptist preaching in Kankakee took place in 1854 under the shade of a "big basswood tree on the banks of Soldier Creek, near what is now Third Avenue and Chestnut Street. In 1856 regular services were begun by the Rev. William Simms of Philadel- phia in what was called the Durham hall at Third Avenue and Chestnut Street. The congregation was organized July 10, 1858, in a schoolhouse on the west side of Dearborn Avenue, about a block north of the river, with the Rev. James S. Reed in charge. Later services were held in a small Congregational church on Harrison Avenue near Court Street. The cornerstone for the present church at Indiana Avenue and Court Street was laid on August 26, 1864. Marcotte Pharmacy ADELARD J. MARCOTTE R. Ph. PAUL J. MARCOTTE R. Ph. Prescription Center Kodak Cameras Photographic Supplies and Photo Finishing 119 E. COURT KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS SINCLAIR A GREAT NAME IN OIL EXTENDS ITS CONGRATULATIONS TO KANKAKEE A GREAT NAME IN CITIES ON ITS OUTSTANDING CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BARON BROS. Suppliers of Sinclair Products DIAL 2-1732 1094 S. EAST AVE. I 69 ] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 E. G. WARMBIR AGENCY JOE TIHLE & SONS, Inc. Real Estate and General Insurance MEAT SHOPS For dependable, courteous, 108 E. COURT ST. PHONE 2-5021 and reliable service. T KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS £. G. Warmbir T "Better Meats For Less" REALTOR AND ASSOCIATES 151 No. Schuyler Avenue Kankakee, Illinois Phone 3-5332 T Alice Riley William Lane Carl J. Casino Lubert Wolf SINCE MAY 6, 1929 Taylor Transfer Company ^^^ yi yi (INC.) (compliments of Insured Freight Forwarders m m By Motor Truck ▼ JOHN PANOZZO KANKAKEE 260 EAST CENTER STREET PHONE 3-6629 T ▼ CHICAGO 501-15 WEST 41st STREET Wholesale Fruits and Vegetables PHONE KENWOOD 8-6575 Kankakee fo Chicago 70 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 St. Paul Episcopal parish, which first held services in a third floor room on the northeast corner of East Avenue and Station Street, is this \ear observing its 90th anniversary. The first church, a frame structure, was built on the southeast corner of Schuyler Avenue and Merchant Street in 1865, and the present impres- sive stone place of worship arose in 1900. The first Lutheran services in the county were held in Pilot township in 1852 and the first congregation was organized there in 1859. The first house of wor- ship was erected in that township in 1861. The largest Lutheran congregation in the county is that of St. Paul Church in Kankakee, organized in 1860. Until the erection of the first church in 1864, the congregation was served b\' pastors from Pilot. The first place of worship was a stone structure at East Avenue and Station Street, and this was replaced in 1872 by a larger frame building. This was destroyed by fire in 1887 and the present commodious church was erected. A group of Kankakee's German and Swiss families met in July, 1854, at the old Van Meter Hotel to listen to the Rev. George Vetter's sermon. This service was the beginning of the German Evangelical Church, later the First Evangelical Church. Services were held at the hotel until a small school- house at Oak Street and New Avenue was completed. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse for a while. In the winter of 1855 the foundation for a frame church was laid at Washington Avenue and Chestnut Street. Services were held there until 1867, when the property was sold and tlie west 60 feet of the present site at Court Street and Washington Avenue pur- chased. A frame church was erected. This continued to serve the congregation until 1887 when it was sold and the present masonrv structure built. In 1946 two denominations merged and, together with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, formed the Evangelical United Brethren Church. To- day the congregation plans to erect a new place of worship with educational and recreational facilities on West Calista Street where it now owns 450 feet of property just east of the West Junior High School. There were only a few Jewish families in Kankakee back near the turn of the centur\- when the B'nai Israel congregation had its start in Kankakee. P'or quite a few years the Jewish families rented halls in which to worship. In 1922 the B'nai Israel temple was built in the .'BOO block on South Dearborn .\venue, where it still stands, with the ancient Star of David prominent over the entrance. The first rabbi to ser\e the congregation was Rabbi Paul. Best remembered for his work in Kankakee, however, is Rabbi Myrovetz. He served the congre- gation for nearly 20 years, and was in charge when the temple was built. St. John United Evangelical Church in Kankakee was organized February 2, 1870. The church Ijuilding at Entrance Avenue and Chestnut Street was erected the same vear and has since been remodeled mid Congratulations TO KANKAKEE ON HER One Hundredth Birthday We are proud of the part we have played in making Kankakee a better town in which to live as well as to shop. We pledge ourselves that in the future we will strive at all times to make Kankakee a better town in which to live and our store a better place in which to shop. ▼ T urniture 252-258 S. ScKuvler Ave. ( 71 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 9 5 3 *^^^^ n. F mm E^H^H^H^E '^g^^l^^^ ,fl 1 ^'F^ ^ b«.. 1 ^bhJHBI HI Officers and non-coms, Co. L., Third Illinois Infantry. High water, Soldier Creek, residence at 907 North Indiana Avenue, about one block east of creek. July, 1915. Salzmans PLUMBING & HEATING SUPPLY COMPANY PHONE 2-2041 156 WEST STATION STREET KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS Second Kankakee County Court House, razed in 1908. Officers and non-coms, Co. H., Fourth Illinois Infantry, forerunner of Co. L., Third Infantry. Congratulations Kankakee! // Herb" Hess Sales & Service 162 West Charles Street Kankakee, Illinois Phone 3-8297 We Keep 'em Rolling Wifh Texaco Petroleum Products B. F. Goodrich Tires & Batteries Heavy Duty Towing 72 1 18 5^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 1 We're Proud TO BE A PART OF KANKAKEE'S SPECTACULAR GROWTH AND PROGRESS . . . For Ideal Living It's MARYCREST r~- c, For Ideal Transportation It's the New FORD CARS and TRUCKS For Food and Fibre It's the FORD TRACTOR ROMY HAMMES ENTERPRISES 1905 EAST COURT STREET IN MARYCREST [ 73 I 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 Congratulations ! Compliments of THE CIRCLE KANKAKEE 166 N. Schuyler Ave. FEDERATION OF LABOR • T ▼ AIR CONDITIONED "It's A Pleasure To Serve You" ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLY Compliments of CHOUINARD BROS. H. J. DRAUDE PLUMBING & HEATING GROCERY ♦ • • "Helping To Build A Better Kankakee" 1237 W. STATION STREET 1/Ak.ll/AI/rE lllllLl/MC 356 So. Chicago Ave. Kankakee, III. TELEPHONE 3-8576 KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS PHONE 3-9022 74 I 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 enlarged. For man\- years a school was operated in connection with the church. Central Christian Church, the largest church of that denomiuatidu in this area, was organized in 1896. The congregation was without a place of worship until 1S99 when the former St. Paul Episcopal huilding was pureluised and moved from Sclunler A\enue and Merchant Street to the present site at Rosewood Avenue and Oak Street. This was replaced in 1914 by the present brick building. The Christian Science Church of Kankakee, branch of the mother church in Boston, was formed in 1897. First ser\ices were held in private homes and offices until the present place of worship was erected. The rapid growth of the Nazarene Church in recent years and the establishment of Olivet Nazarene Col- lege at Bourbonnais has made this congregation an important segment of local religious life. There are now four Nazarene churches in the immediate Kanka- kee community and many more throughout Kankakee- land. Today, church bells ring out clear and compelling on Sunda\ morning in the Kankakee area. The rever- ent people of this blessed community are called to church in great numbers, because religion is deep- rooted among them, from the day of the God-fearing pioneer. During the Civil War the records show that 1764 Kankakee Count\ men ser\ed in 42 regiments in the Union cause, not including the number who went to Chicago and Joliet to enlist. The first soldier to enlist from the count\' was .\lfred Bernier, private, and later sergeant in Co. C, 19th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The soldiers from Kankakee County participated in every major engagement during the war, also in hundreds of minor skirmishes during the four years of bloody strife. In the Spanish-.\merican War the count\- was offici- ally represented by Co. L, 'Srd Illinois Volunteer In- fantrv, which saw service as a unit from May 8, 1898, until' January 23, 1899. WORLD WAR I .Xlways considered a good National Guard city and with a strong local giuird compan\-, Kankakee fur- nished its quota throughout \\'orld War I. Co. L, 3rd Infantry, Illinois National Guard, was on duty on the Mexican border at the outbreak of the war. It was redesignated Co. L, 129th Infantry, 33d Division, and went to France in 1917. The guardsmen, with hun- dreds of Kankakee Selective Service men taken into other units in all branches of the armed forces, saw ser\ice in all of the major engagements of the War. Some Kankakecans saw service in Siberia fighting the bolsheviks, while others were in the naval imits of the Go\ernmcnt. Some from this vicinity saw duty as \.eU to right — Josephine La Gue, Me/onle La Gue, and Timothy La Gue. Congratulations to Kankakee on your 100 year youngness and your "Key"- ness. . . . With regard to service to your people, it is our sincere hope we may do as well. 5TH AVENUE MAID-RITE SANDWICH SHOP 103 NO. 5TH AVE. Meet Your Friends at CANFIELD'S CAFE "Good Food For Good People" NORTH OF KANKAKEE ON ROUTE 54 I 75 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 Historical and Arts Building — Governor Small Memorial Park, Kankakee. Built as Memorial to Governor Small by the State of Illinois. Birth Place of Governor Len Small, Governor Small Memorial Park. Park land and home are gift of Leslie Small and A. E. Inglesh. Kankakee Civic Auditorium Built with Funds Raised by Drive Sponsored by the Kankakee Women's Club with Aid of Kankakee Park District. Kankakee Plant Employees of armstronCt cork company Extend Sincere Congratulations To Tne Kankakee Community Upon A Century of Achievement and Progress [ 76 ] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 -1853- -1953- KANKAKEE ... For 100 Years . . . A City of Homes From the days of log cabins over 100 years ago to the latest style ranch homes of today, the individual homes and home owners have brought fame to Kankakee as a city of homes. We take this occasion, the Centennial year of Kankakee, to say v^e are proud and grateful to have had a part in providing Kankakee homes v\/ith home furnishings that made them more beautiful, liveable and convenient. We are looking forward to the next 100 years with eager anticipation of continued service to the coming generations. SEVEN FLOORS OF FINE FURNITURE 126-134 N. SCHUYLER • KANKAKEE, ILL. 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1951 BERG'S CHEERY NURSING HOMES -Nos. 1 & 2 MR. AND MRS. CLYDE E. BERG, MORS. STATE LICENSED "The Homes With A Home-Like Atmosphere" 172 NORTH HARRISON STREET KANKAKEE PHONE: 3-4831 401 NORTH WALNUT STREET MANTENO PHONE: 5551 FORD TRACTOR COSTS SO UTILE - OFFERS SO MUCH HENREKIN IMPLEMENT CO Your ford Tractor Dealer KANKAKEE ^eo/Toorfv. EQUIPMENT CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PEOPLE OF KANKAKEE Through 100 Years of Continuous Progress COMPLIMENTS OF SOL um 246 S. SCHUYLER AVENUE KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS Take Pictures OF THE KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL WATLAND BROS. Will Loan You A Camera FREE A flash attachment will be included if you ask for it. COME IN AND GET YOURS TODAY QUALITY PHOTO FINISHING - PRINTS ONLY 6c EACH Satisfaction Guaranteed WATLAND.si^i Stores >n-» BROTHERS (mmaAhcpA^ BLUE \S\.^NO, \\-t. CH\C^GO HE\6H-VS,\LL.^ ^^NKAKEE, \LL. EVERGREEN PARK (CH^c^co^u^o_^^^^ /yV KANKAKEE • 278 EAST COURT ST. I 78] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL s ^ H\fis when that liraiich of the servici' was still in its infancy. In all branches of the services Kankakee County sent some 1500 men and women. ILLINOIS RESERVE MILITL\ WORLD WAR I From 1917 throui^h 1919 Kankaktu- was head- quarters for Companies A, B, and C, while Company D was located at Momence. Organized to take over the duties of the National Guard company which had been inducted into Federal service, much time was spent in intensive drilling. From these militia units several hundred men were inducted into the armed forces. During the ti-rrible epidemic of influenza of 1918, military funerals for deceased service men and women were held b\- tlie units of the local militia companies. WORLD WAR II Leaving Kankakee in the spring of 1941 for training at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, members of Kankakee's Co. L soon found that the many months of soldiering at its armor\- stood them in good stead. Many of its non-commissioned officers soon became officers, and its company officers advanced to higher rank in other units. Selective Service took Kankakeeans into all branches of the armed forces, while hundreds volun- teered in order to select the branch in which they preferred to serve. Kankakee men and women took part in all of the engagements of the war. In Africa, Italy, the Invasion of Europe, the actions in the South Pacific, the return to tlie Phiilipines with its bitter fighting around Manila, and finally the occupation of Japan, the occu- pation of Germany, the C^hina-Burma theatre, in all of these far away places Kankakee men and women were to be found. ILLINOIS RESERVE MILITIA The formation of a military unit to take the place of Co. L was started e\en before that company left for training at Camp F"orrest, Tennessee, in the spring of 1941. In January of that \ear steps were taken to organize the Illinois Reserve Militia, and at one time Kankakee was Di\ision Headquarters. It was Regi- mental Headquarters of the 5th Infantry; Headquar- ters of the 2nd Battalion of the 5th, with headquarters and medical detachments. Co. G of the 5th Infantry was stationed at Kankakee, and with the Battalion units saw active duty during the floods in the southern part of the state in thi- spring of 19lt. During the period of World War II some 250 men in the Kanka kee area did semi-militarv Militia. dutv with the Reserve KOREAN WAR After Worlil War II Co. L became Co. E, 129th Infantry, 44th Division, and shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War it was sent with the Division to undergo intensive training at Camp Cooke in Cali- fornia. GENERAL EQUIPMENT CO. Garage and Service Station Equipment Sales and Service ALEMITE — Automotive and Industrial Greasing Equipment BINKS — Spraying Equipment CHAMPION - Air Compressors DITZLER — Automotive Finishes KERRICK - Steam Kleaners GLOBE - Hydraulic Lifts PHONE 3-8021 248 EAST STATION STREET KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS Compliments of Sk Si 341 EAST COURT STREET "1 'Kankakee's Largest Downtown Food Center" T ▼ Ed Beinor Mgr. I 79 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 Compliments of NICK and ETHEL EAGLE INN TAVERN 'Always the Working Man's Friend" Sincere Best Wishes EAGLE INN CAFE • ITALIAN PIZZA PIE (MADE TO ORDER) • SPAGHETTI • RAVIOLI DIAL 3-9233 For orders to take out. We'll have it ready for you! Compliments of D & Ms CORNER Eat & Drink AND Enjoy Yourself JUNCTION 115 & 45 SO. OF KANKAKEE Prop. "AD. " & MARIE DESLAURIERS EXCHANGE CLUB OF KANKAKEE John Agatone Wayne Amidon Fay Anderson Lawrence Bellmore Lawrence Brewer Frank Burns Christian Bertelsen, Rev. John Campbell Matthew Cinotto, Vice Pres. Don Cryer Victor Lauridsen Oscar Lugenbuhl William Matthews Harold Meents Arch Menk, Treasurer William Meyers Howard Morris Ralph Nesmith, Sec'y- William Palenskee Alvin A. Palow, Dr. Serving Business Men's Luncheons J. B. Doyle, Rev. Harold Edds, Rev. Orville Patchett Robert Proctor Ernest Erickson Louis Ray Jacob Gerchgall, Dr. Milton Shapiro Charles Grapey George Small • Leslie Harshbarger Harrison Streeter Maurice Jackson Frank Sullivan Casper Jaffe Varnice Tenny Morris Jaffe, Pres. Barton Vogt Robert Jarvis Theo Vogt 147 EAST COURT ST. George Jones Ellsworth Warmbir KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS Arthur L. Cramp, Dr. Milton Lang Jerome Woyahn 80 18 5^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • IQS^ j*»^t.*VBg5J?I^;f^ ■*i:\ W Midway, Interstate Fair. 1 ^ J) Platform in front of grandstand. Old Grandstand, Interstate Fair. Destroyed by fire in 1921. ~>?-^^ J- .r-.r"- *-\i.,-*^ 'aTI ~-j. ^ ^ HOME VIEW FARMS HERSCHER, ILLINOIS Roy G. Wilcox — Farm Management FARM OPERATORS Howard R. Wilcox Dale A. Boness Merle E. Diefenbach Lawrence G. Emeling Michael P. Jakob Lawrence F. Nowak Charles Eckhoff Livestock Day parade before new grandstand, Interstate Fair. ED SCHNELL EARL SCHNELL Est. 1923 DAIRY COMPANY And Employees Say Congratulations To Our City KANKAKEE! 1063 SOUTH WASHINGTON AVENUE [ 81 ] 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 Kankakee Foundry Company MANUFACTURERS OF GREY IRON AND SEMI STEEL CASTINGS Kankakee, Illinois SALES SERVICE KANKAKEE FARMERS IMPLEMENT CO. Your CASE Dealer 1285 No. Schuyler Phone 3-4014 KANKAKEE DISTRIBUTING CO. WHOLESALE LIQUORS IMPORTING DISTRIBUTORS 136-148 W. CHARLES ST. PHONES 3-4457 AND 3-4458 KANKAKEE • ILLINOIS 'The Cone with the Curl on Top" DHIRVQU 1045 W. StaHon Street Konkakee, Illinois [ 82 18 5^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 Kankakee Presidents, Mayors Kankakee was first organized as "Kankakee Depot" in 1853, bnt designated by the railroad as "Bourbon- nais," although the little Canadian town two miles northwest had also used that name for many years. On December 30, 1854, the citizens of Kankakee met at the county clerk's office and voted to incorporate the town and change the town's name to Kankakee City. And on Feb. 15. 1855, the city charter was signed l)y the governor. C. R. Starr was appointed president of the board of trustees until the first election on April 10, 1855, at which election Thomas P. Bonfield was elected. The city was governed by the president and board of trustees until 1865 when the aldermanic form of government was adopted. PRESIDENTS C. R. Starr, 1855; Thomas P. Bonfield, 1855 to 1856; A. W. Mack, 1856 to 1857; Samuel L. Knight, 1857 to 1858; Hcnr\' B. Perry, 1858 to 1859; R. T. Murrav, 1859 to 1860; Algv Dean, 1860 to 1861; Robert N. Murrav, 1861 to 1863; John P. Gamble, 1863 to 1864; William G. Swannell, 1864 to 1865. MAYORS William G. Swannell, 1865 to 1866; Rodney Ashley, 1866 to 1867; Harrison Loring, 1867 to 1868; Thomas P. Bonfield, 1868 to 1869; James McGrew, 1869 to 1870; Truman V. Huling, 1870 to 1872; F. Swannell, 1872 to 1873; R. Laverv. 1873 to 1875; J. H. Schaffer, 1875 to 1878; Truman Huling, 1878 to 1880; S. L. Knight, 1880 to 1881; D. C. Grinnell, 1881 to 1884; F. D. Radeke, 1884 to 1888; Frank D. Hatch, 1888 to 1889; Solon Knight, 1889 to 1891; George R. Le- tourneau, 1891 to 1892; P. J. Kellv, 1892 to Jan. 1893 (res.); William Cougar, Jan. 1893 to May 1893; J. Frank Leonard, 1893 to 1894-5 (two vear term); John H. Bravton, 1895 to 1897; H. A. Magruder, 1897-1899; H. C. Clarke, 1899 to 1901; Henrv Bcckman, 1901 to 1907; Fred Mann, 1907 to 1909; Henrv Beckman, 1909 to 1911; B. W. Alpiner, 1911 to 1913; David Laverv, 1913 to 1915; B. W. Alpiner, 1915 to 1917; M. F.' Baker, 1917 to 1919; Henrv Renter, 1919 to 1921; August Radeke, 1921 to 1923; B. W. Alpiner, 1923 to 1925; L. E. Beckman, 1925 to 1933; Dode Rex. 1933 to 1935; Rov D. Tavlor, 1935 to 1937; Albert F. Hattenburg, 1937 to 1953;' Ed. P. Madison, 1953 to present. Compliments of ED P. MADISON INSURANCE AGENCY Real Estate * Insurance 505 VOLKMANN BLDG. KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS For Your Drainage and Excavating Open Ditch Cleaning Tiling Dirt Moving Leveling Grading Roadways Built Bulldozer Work Waterways Built Fill Sand, Black Dirt, Shale Fill Large and Small I Can Do Them All I Have The Proper Equipment To Do Your Job The Right Way JOHN GROSSO RT. 17, WEST OF KANKAKEE PHONE 2-5917 City HaJl, Kankakee. Built in 1928. 1 83 1 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 As one of the newest additions to the first great 100 years of growth and progress here, The Armour Laboratories is proud to offer its congratulations up- on Kanl<:akee's Centennial Anniversary. Tne Armour Latoratories A Division of Armour ana Company [84 ] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 First uniformed mail letter carriers, Kankakue. Parade in 1890's. Float in front of Commercial Hotel. V^ Norris Building tire, 1920's. Originally built as the Hobby Block. Present Kankakee County Cuuit House, built in 1910. Cost $250,000.00. Fiist Kankakee County Court House, erected 1855. Cost"$19.182.80. Burned October, 1872. Compliments of C-K-P JEWELERS Kankakee Welding Er Supply ▼ Serving Kankakee Since 1919 OXYGEN-ACETYLENE SUPPLIES ARC WELDERS & ACCESSORIES STRUCTURAL STEEL MISCELLANEOUS IRON * 159 E. COURT ST. Kankakee Illinois Phone 3-4429 [ 85 ] 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 One Famous Name Three Famous Products EUREKA WILLIAMS FROM TEPEE TO '53 100 YEARS OF PROGRESS OIL-O-MATIC GAS-O-MATIC AIR-O-MATIC May Kankakee continue to grow — we are growing with you Karsgaard Heating Service 578 SOUTH GREENWOOD Phone 2-2154 JACKSON LUMBER CO. 504 No. Fifth Ave. Phone 3-5326 MAYFLffliLER RAY H. NOURIE COAL SALES QUALITY COAL ALL GRADES — ALL SIZES ANTHRACITE (HARD COAL) BURNERS SALES AND SERVICE 495 NO. DEARBORN AVE. PHONE 3-3823 EXCLUSIVE AGENT AERO MAYFLOWER TRANSIT CO [ 86 ] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 Kankakee Athletics, first organized First undefeated (regular season) Kankakee First undefeated Kankakee High School football team. High School basketball team, 1953. football team, 1907. ^'Jls^' Swimming at Bird Park, 1930*3. Kankakee Park District Swimming Pool. ALBERT SCHNEIDER & SONS INSURANCE SINCE 1874 Insurance Counselors to the Citizens of Kankakee for 79 Years MAIN FLOOR, ARCADE BUILDING DIAL 3-4479 DONALD R. SCHNEIDER, MANAGER Sec . the National Adding Machine The NATIONAL ADDING MACHINE is manufactured by The National Cash Reg- ister Company, which has over 67 years' experience in building business machines. We are proud to announce that we shall sell and service NATIONAL ADDING MACHINES. We will also con- tinue to offer mechanical service on the Allen-Wales ma- chines in use in this area. The NATIONAL ADDING MACHINE has a combina- tion of time- and effort-saving features not found on any other adding machine at any price. Let us show you why you get more for your money with a NATIONAL. See its outstanding points of superiority — TODAY. The National Cash Register G)mpany Kankakee, 111. 157 North Dearborn PHONE 2-2445 87 ] 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 TIME FINANCE $50 - $100 - $300 - $500 Apply Today ! . . . Get Cash Today ! Pay old debts — buy necessities — get on a Money Saving Pay-As-You-Go Basis Now! TIME makes loans 'til Payday — or as long as 24 months! Quick — Private — Convenient! $20 costs only 14c for one week! Open a Loan Account at TIME for all money needs! TIME FINANCE CO. 143 EAST COURT ST. PHONE 3-6656 (UNDER STATE SUPERVISION) CHOUINARD'S BAKERY ANDRE J. CHOUINARD MARC L. CHOUINARD Established 45 Years Congratulations, Kankakee, On Your 100th Birthday 465 WEST COURT STREET PHONE 2-4813 CHIPMAN BMS. HALt^FillGHTTlNES RT. 54 NORTH PKONi 3H5I KAMKAKEE.IU.. INDIANAPOLIS tTEBRE HAUU SERVICE SINCE 1887 YOU CAN DEPEND ON HALL-DIRECT AS THE BIRD FLIES! GENERAL OFFICE — Danville, Illinois Congratulations! Paul's Place (PAUL BYDALEK) BEER SHUFFLEBOARD 265 So. Schuyler Ave. LIQUORS Kankakee DO YOU REMEMBER? [ 88 1 8 =5 ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 195^ New Post Office, Kankakee. Built in 1940. • * * * Old Post Office, Kankakee. Razed in 1930's. • * * • CITIES SERVICE TOP-NOTCH SERVICE... TOP QUALITY FUEL OIL CUNT FOGDE • PHONE 3-8811 835 SOUTH EAST AVENUE Compliments of ROLAND CARON Court Street at night from Schuyler Avenue, about 1922. Steel Erecting and Motor Crane Service Phone 3-6203 SHOP - gr:nnell road RESIDENCE - 975 N. FIFTH ST. KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS [ 89 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 We Are Proud To Be a Part FOR THE BEST IN NEW & USED CARS SEE YOUR STUDEBAKER DEALER of Kankakee's 100th Birthday Celebration KODAK MOTOR SALES, INC. SALES STUDEBAKER service CLARENCE P. CONRAD ACCOUNTING AND TAX 280 E. MERCHANT ST. KANKAKEE, ILL. SERVICES • • "See The New American Car With The European Look At A Down-to-Earth Price." 333 ARCADE BUILDING TELEPHONE 2-2716 KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS Noel Le Vasseur, first white settler in Kankakee County. VERONDA'S MUSIC STORE 204 W. COURT ST. DIAL 21124 KANKAKEE, ILL. Your Headquarters In Kankakee for: KIMBALL PIANOS TAPE RECORDERS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS HAMMOND SOLOVOX PFAFF "DIAL A STITCH" SEWING MACHINES CONNSONATA ORGANS WEBCOR RECORD PLAYERS ACCORDIONS & GUITARS LOWREY ORGANO SHEET MUSIC TEACHING & TUNING EVERYTHING IN THE LINE OF MUSIC 90 s ^ KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL I q s ^ Len SmaU and "Uncle Joe" Cannon speaking at Kankakee Interstate Fair about 1914. Uf( fo right, sfonding — Don Coy, Mgr.; Bob Erickson, Bob Monns, Roy Gulney, Bill Nolle, Myron Glosford, Carl Colemon, Corl Musso, Roy Grout, Mgr. Knee/r'ng — Jim Mogenson, Jim Dermoudy, John Gulney, Don Erickson, Jim Raymond, Stan Bogowski, Russ Stohl, Dave Jordan. United Commercial Travelers hopes that Kankakee's Cen- tennial will be as successful as UCT's Little League Champs. Noel Levasseur second home, Boubonnais, Illinois. Erected 1845. Demolished 1885 to make way for St. Viateur college buildings. Administration Building Olivet Nazarene College. Formerly Marsile Hall, St. Viator College. Ceniennia] Congratulations TO THE CITIZENS OF KANKAKEE May the blessings of progress and prosperity be ever increased in the new Century ahead — may the neighborliness on which the closing Century was built flourish ever more abundantly. ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL AND SCHOOL OF NURSING [ 91 1 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 19 5 3 THE REALTOR'S CODE OF ETHICS MEANS AN HONEST TRANSACTIOH WHEN you BUY! When you make sure the broker with whom you place your real estate affairs is a REALTOR (in this locality a member of the Kankakee County Real Estate Board) you are certain of complete satis- faction. The name REALTOR is conferred only on the lead- ers in the Real Estate field. They must have on unblemished record of integrity, the proven ability to give complete and accurate advice, and experi- ence and training in all phases of the real estate business THEY MUST FOLLOW A WELL EN- FORCED CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS! RELY ON YOUR LOCAL REALTORS Louis E. Beckman & Co. 138 S. Schuyler Cooler & Son 258 East Court Gladys Ervin 1299 S. 5th Jim Ginger Agency 187 S. Schuyler Russell Hendrlckson 187 S. Schuyler Tom Houde 169'/2 S. Schuyler Key Realty, Inc. 175 N. Dearborn John Kruegger 258 E. Court Paul A. Laird 603 S. Wall J. L. Le Claire & Sons 187 S. Schuyler Ed P. Madison 258 E. Court Louis Ray 258 E. Court Lecour Roy 299 E. Court Wm. A. Schneider 201 S. Schuyler Eugene A. Smith Manteno Speckman Realty 8i Insurance Agency 258 E. Court I. E. Sprimont & Son 189 E. Court Harry L. Topping 187 S. Schuyler Desmond R. Tyler 187 S. Schuyler E. G. Wormbir 362 E. Court KANKAKEE COUNTY REAL ESTATE BOARD 92 18 5 3 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 Air view of Kankakee business district, 1950. Congratulations! BOB'S RADIO AND TELEVISION SERVICE • Factory Trained Techniciar«s » 35 Years Service Experience • Pick-up and Delivery Service DIAL 3-4234 286 S. East Avenue Konkokee, III. THE ALL-FAM/Lr DRINK! So pure... So good... So wholesome for everyone! ^; v/^ t/if/j^eK '^' ''{//e/iu of 7 -Up are proudly stated on the back of every bottle — "Con- tains carbonated water, sugar citric acid, sodium citrate flavor derived from lemon and hme oils." COPYRIGHT 1949 BY THE SEVEN-UP COMPANY JOYCE SEVEN-UP BOTTLING CO. Joiiet, Illinois 1 yH 1853 . KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL • 1953 6!iir siH mi mn: East Junior High School, completed in 1950. Kankakee High School, completed in 1929. St. Martin of Tours School, built in 1951. New FrankUn School, built in 1950-51. St. Teresa School, Marycrest. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Romy Hammes. Old Franklin School, razed in 1950. [ 94 ] KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL 1 9 S 3 IN APPRECIATION The Centennial Committee and the people of the Kankakee area wish to extend their appreciation to those who pledged the initial finances to underwrite the expenses of the Centennial Program. For this expression of faith in the future of Kankakee we wish to thank the following: Kankakee Federal Savings & Loan, Fred C. Hefter, Leslie C. White, Armstrong Cork Company, First Trust and Savings Bank, Sears, Roebuck and Com- pany, Coolev & Son, A. (). Smitli Corporation, Jeffers & MeHroom, Don Cooper, John Panozza, Triangle Construction Company, Snowite Laundry, John D. Xesbitt, Kankakee Dailv Journal, Domestic Laundr\' ^: Dry Cleaning Company, Turk Furniture Company, Lassers Furniture Company, Florence Stove Com- pany, C. A. RoUison, Close Motor Sales, Kankakee Citizen System Company, T & R Supply Company, Speckman Realty & Insurance Company, H. H. Troup and Company, City National Bank, Paul Baron, Gen- eral Equipment Company, General Foods Corpora- tion, J. C. Penny Company, Louis E. Beckman, Volk- mann's, Watland Brothers' Camera Shop, Jim Ginger, Louis Pearlman & Sons, David Bradley Manufactur- ing Works, Kankakee Hotel, Henry Pope-Bear Brand, Public Service Company, Security Lumber Company, Illinois Bell Telephone Company, General Mills In- corporated, International Harvester Company, Dr. Frank M. Phifer. [ 95 ] 1853 • KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL . 1953 . Errors of omission, typographical errors, misspellings and oversights will be rectified and acknowledgment in the next Cen- tennial booklet to be published in the year 2053. Please contact the committee at that time. EDITORS. 96 GENERAL FOODS Gaines Research Kennels ScdutB6> KANKAKEE Corn Mill Division O^ vU 100 th ANNIVERSARY Distribution Center UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977363K132K C001 KANKAKEE CENTENNIAL, 1853-1953 KANKAKEE 3 01 2 025394948