HR1216 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to recognize milestone events in the State; and

WHEREAS, In 1854, George Hewitt bought the site of the future Village of Forreston from John Dement of Dixon; the town was an outgrowth of the Illinois Central Railroad, which had arrived in the winter of 1854; the first buildings erected were the depot and a house for boarding railroad employees; and

WHEREAS, The first school house in Forreston was a frame building located in the center of the original town plat, erected in 1856, and the first teacher was Miss Maria Blair; in 1867, an elegant three-story brick school house was erected on Front Street at a total cost of $16,000 including furnishings; and

WHEREAS, During the first half of the century, the churches of Forreston were Methodist Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran, Zion Reformed United Brethren in Christ, Bishop's Church of Evangelical Association, Reformed Church, and Church of God; the principal business interests were six general merchants, three druggists, two hardwares, five restaurants, three groceries, seven saloons, four boot and shoe shops, three harness shops, one furniture, two livery stables, two lumber and coal, one jeweler, three millinery, one confectionery and tobacco, two hotels, five physicians, one lawyer, two dentists, one photograph artist, six carpenters and builders, and four blacksmiths; and

WHEREAS, The village was incorporated on September 21, 1867, with a vote of 128 ballots cast for incorporation and 44 against; the first Sauerkraut Day in the village was held in 1913, with the last celebration held in 1960; it was known as the "World's Largest Single Day Celebration" with attendance in the 30,000s; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Forreston celebrated its 150th anniversary during the weekend of September 10, 11, and 12, 2004; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Village of Forreston on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Village of Forreston as an expression of our respect and esteem and with best wishes for the future success of Forreston.