USA > Illinois > Madison County > Our 150 years, 1812-1962 : in commemoration of the Madison County Sesquicentennial > Part 4
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"The bottle went around at these parties as it did at the shuckings, and male and female took a dram of it as it was passed around. No sitting was indulged in, and the folks either stood or danced all night, as generally daylight ended the frolic. The dress of these hardy pioneers was generally plain home- spun. The hunting shirt was much worn at that time . . . Some- times dressed deerskin pantaloons were used on these occasions, and mocassins-rarely shoes-and at times bare feet were in- dulged in. In the morning all went home on horseback or foot. No carriages, wagons or other vehicles were used on these occasions, for the best of reasons, because they had none."
41
IT HAPPENED IN HIGHLAND Seventy- seven Years Ago!
In 1885, a group of Madison County farmers and businessmen founded a tiny company in Highland, Illinois to produce a new kind of product. On June 14,1885, the world's first evaporated milk condensery was opened and the first can of evaporated milk was produced on June 18,1885.
From that beginning-seventy-seven years ago-in Madison County-has grown a gigantic industry, with literally billions of cans of evaporated milk sold throughout the world each year .
And Helvetia Milk Condensing Company has become Pet Milk Company ... one of America's leading food companies. For, in addition to the evaporated milk which made it famous, Pet Milk Company now produces and markets Pet Instant Nonfat Dry Milk, Pet-Ritz and Swiss Miss Frozen Pies, Sego Liquid Diet Food, Musselman's applesauce and other fruit products, Funsten nuts, Laura Scudder's potato chips and snack foods in the U.S.A .- several additional products in Canada-and conducts a large fresh dairy products bu- siness in the southeastern states.
But this is our birthplace. It all started here seventy-seven years ago.
PET MILK COMPANY Founded in Highland, Illinois in 1885
HIGHLAND
0
Æ
N
(2)
E
S
AN ARTIST'S CONCEPTION OF HIGHLAND IN 1838.
Highland-The solid, thrifty hub of southeastern Madison County is the city of Highland, 4,943 strong in its 1960 census. Its growth since the town was founded in 1837 has been steady rath- er than spectacular. A large percentage of the residents are de- scendants of early Swiss and German settlers, noted for their economy and for being allergic to debts, be they private or mu- nicipal.
Aside from being surrounded by a rich dairying and other- wise prosperous farms, Highland in recent years has bolstered its economy by diversified industry. Largest at this writing is the Basler Electric Co., maker of motors and other electronic equip- ment, and the Highland Supply Corp., makers of cellophane, floral foil, Easter grass, aluminum foil Christmas trees, and re- lated products. Highland Supply occupies the plant of the old Pet Milk Co., for years a cornerstone of Highland's economy. It also uses for storage the building which once served as the Highland brewery.
Other important industries include the Wick Pipe Organ Co., which dates back to 1908, and the Highland Embroidery Works, founded in 1881 by John Rush of Switzerland and sound-
ly established in 1883 by J. J. Spindler, president.
To the outsider, Highland is most famous for its county fair. This is an institution in the city, begun shortly before the dawn of the Twentieth century. Highland has been the site of the fair ever since. Lindendale Park with its colorful swimming pool is one of the county's more attractive parks.
Progress has come on many fronts. A large addition to St. Joseph's Hospital was added after World War II. A tremendous lake is being developed a short distance north of the city to en- hance the adjacent water supply. Serving the city since 1868 has been the Pennsylvania Railroad's main line between St. Louis and New York. Norton's Centennial History of Madison County has this to say of Highland: "The population is a quiet, indus- trious class, now numbering 3,000, everybody being busy and working during the day, steady and regularly as clockwork. There is not a beggar, and no loafers and idlers are seen on the streets. . . There are but few families who do not own their own homes. .. They are also known to be the best taxpayers . . "
- "There is not a shack or dilapidated building in town, all being kept in good order. The streets and alleys are clean."
42
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MAJOR INDUSTRIES
WILLIAM ELIOT SMITH
Owens-Illinois Glass Co .- From a Mississippi River fill through which Shield's Creek once flowed has risen one of the giants of Madison County industry, the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. Through the years it has given employment to thousands with its millions of dollars in payrolls. It stands as a model of what perseverence of pioneer industrialists accomplished in the lat- ter quarter of the Nineteenth century.
Success of this venture was very much in doubt in the early years. William Eliot Smith, one of the founders, had been a farmer. Edward Levis, the other founder, had been in the furniture business. Neither was experienced in glassmaking. Yet, in 1873, they bought a small bankrupt glass factory on Belle street in Alton from a Mr. Hayner. They borrowed a chemistry book to learn what they could.
Smith had charge of sales and Levis and his seven sons handled the actual manufacture of bottles. By 1876 the Illinois Glass Co. was so successful that the founders planned to move to St. Louis to avail themselves of rail and river transportation facilities there. Alton, however, arranged to keep the factory by providing the present site.
Edward Levis died in 1903 and his seven sons took over
operation of the plant. When Smith died in 1909 the young non assumed complete management.
Meanwhile, in 1903, Michael J. Owens invented the first glassblowing machine in Toledo, O. He and Edward D. Libbey headed the Libbey Glass Co. and the Owens Bottle Machine Co. there. The Illinois Glass Co. was one of the first to acquire the automatic glassblowing machine and its expansion thereafter was evidenced by the fact that additional plants were added in Chicago Heights, Ill .; Gas City, Ind., and Bridgeton, N. J.
In 1929 the Illinois Glass Co. and the Owens Bottle Co. merged to form the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. William E. Levis. grandson of the founder, became the first president of the new company. Another grandson, Preston Levis, was named to man- age the Alton plant.
The company moved into new markets in the 1930s-milk bottles, soft drink bottles, glass block and electric insulators. Later came the formation of plants to manufacture glass fibers. laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware, television bulks and other electronic glassware.
Expansion has proceeded since that time, notably with the purchase of three plants in 1946 and 1947, thus putting the com- pany into new fields.
class/ Watts
ILLINOIS GLASS COMPANY
43
Buick
SALES
4 - 5 - 6 COMPANY
SERVICE
Ph. 654-4586
HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS
DRESSEL ELECTRICAL CO. C
C. J. DRESSEL OWNER
Electrical Contractors & Engineers Licensed Contractors
OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
809 Main St. Highland, III. Ph. 854-5851
"'Be Sure Tomorrow Insure Today''
LOWENSTEIN AGENCY, INC.
Insurance & Real Estate Trenton, Ill. Highland, Ill.
FAMILY PILLS & SUCH
PHARMACY
ARLINE WINTER ELECTROLYSIS REMOVAL OF UNWANTED HAIR
917 MAIN, HIGHLAND, ILL.
ZIEGLER'S JEWELRY
wild of Diamond
xperts LTD.
Highland
Illinois
T
O
E
R
M A
N, S
ST. JACOB ELEVATOR
FEEDS & FERTILIZERS CUSTOM GRINDING
ST.JACOB, ILL.
Kayser PHONE 7101 Drugs
J W KAYSER, B. S., M S., R PH
1217 BROADWAY, HIGHLAND, ILL.
HESS TAVERN Marine, 111.
JOHNNY'S TAVERN Worden, 111 459-3210
REINHEIMER'S MOTOR COMPANY St. Jacob, 111. ph 2331 or 2333
RED & STELL'S TAVERN 6th & Douglas St Jacob, 111.
SCHAEFER CLOVER FARM Marine, Il1.
C.N. WENTZ HARDWARE East Alton Street Marine. Il.
O
FREIGHT SALVAGE STORE
808 BROADWAY HIGHLAND, ILL.
BERT APKEN
PHONE 654-7567
44
the FIRST in Highland
since 1891
Complete
Banking
Service
FIRST IN AGE. SAFETY AND SERVICE
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK MIMIER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OF HIGHLAND
45
All the newa of Highland and vicinity appears weekly, served in the most tasteful manner, in the columns of the
highland Journal
Its Strong Points:
It covers the local field thoroughly and well It gives Court news of Madison and Bond Counties It pays close attention to market quotations
NOTHING ESCAPES IT.ON
DRDA ELECTRIC ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Light Fixtures Westinghouse Appliances Wiring Service Sales & Service
Phone 654-2149 - Highland, III.
HUG'S MEN & BOYS WEAR
HIGHLAND. 11.1 ..
FOIHING
FURNISHINGS
CLOTHINGTHE
HIGHLAND
IGA
MARKET
R.G. Center Drugs
Fine Cosmetics
Prescriptions - Fountain Service
PHONE 654-6886. .. HIGHLAND, ILL.
ROGIER INSURANCE AGENCY
WEST SIDE
TO
PAY
US
PLAZA
TO
YOUR LOSS
HIGHLAND,
ILLINOIS
he Farmers and Merchants Bank was incorporated i n 1908 with total resources of $75,000.00. As of June 30. 1962 our total resources have reached $11 . 720, 452. 18. This 1a definite proof that A Good Place to do your Banking is at the Farmers snd Merchants Bank of Highland.
FARMER
MERCHANTS
Ph. 654-2137
Member FDIC.
$ giebt viele gute Frauen
und auch febr biele meile Frauen - Gattinnen, Dochter, Zanten, Coujineu und Richten non Such. 3hr merbet überrascht fein gu hören wie viele dabon ben
Majeftic
Stahl= Rochofen
gebrauden. Ertundigt Gud noch diefen Frauen und menn br eine findet welche einen Bechiel mit dielem Dien machen will, jo fobreibt es un.s. Benn Bhr nun findet daß jeber Befiber Des Majeftic germilt ift, denfelben au empieblen, ift das nicht genite gend für Gual, jofort auch einen zu fauten.
Kuhnen Hdw. & Seed Store
46
IT WILL
YOU
654-2151
The prices will astonish you. We have our goods all marked in plain figures, and warrant the lowest cashes prices WALDO HUG
....... ... MERCHANTS BASEL
Highland News
Leader
Offset y Letterpress _ Thermograving
Phone 654-4766
Highland, Illinois
WESTERN AUTOR GREENIE'S LIQUOR STORE
1
OBert & Joe Gruenenfelder 5. 816 Broadway
Highland, 111.
GLASSMAKER'S FEEDS and FARM SERVICEON
BIC
Highest Quality
Cheerful
Service
FEEDS
HIGHLAND. ILL.
1013 SIXTH ST
B &B QUALITY PAINT CO.
MANUFACTURER OF PAINTS and ENAMELS HIGHLAND, ILL.
908 LAUREL ST.
Phone: 654-7381
Seitz Jewelry
Store
Keepsake Diamonds
Prince Gardner Billfolds
Elgin Watches
923 Main Street
Highland, Illinois
"Stayin' in the Game"
1838
1962
JOHN DEERE PLOW CO.
ST. LOUIS, MO.
For well uigh seventy years the name John Deere has been America's watch . wirl lu the minrveloos agricultural development of the country. Iu 183x John Drert gave to the world the first nteel plow ever tunde. lu 1907 be is still making the best plows the world has ever seen and shipping them to all parts of the earth. The Deere Vehicles have been before the trade since 1874, and have a justly deserved reputation for reliability, which goes hand in hand with the fame of the plow. "For the latest in farm machinery - see us " Hagnauer & Knoebel Hdw. CO.
HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS.
XX
Proprietors
E. J. ESSENPREIS
C. G. MICHAEL
XX
Firestone
HOME and AUTO SUPPLIES
TELEVISION SETS RADIOS REFRIGERATORS ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES · FOOD FREEZERS CAR. TRUCK & TRACTOR TIRES HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS
This Company was organized and has since been carried on in the Interest of the Farmer and Consumer.
Oberbeck Feed Company @ HIGHLAND
It has atriven to establish a market for everything the Farmer raises, paying the Highest Market Price, and selling to the Consumer at very small profits!
Parmers and Consumers will further their own interests by giving us their patronage.
GIVE US A TRIAL
WHEAT'S LP-GAS SERVICE
LP
GAS
You can't beat WHEAT'S for heat
Old. Rt. 40 West
P.O. Box 7
Highland. Ill.
47
BROADWAY BATTERY & TIRE SERVICE
XX
CHANGING SCENE 1912-1962
50 YEARS AGO -- SATURDAY NIGHT WAS THE MOST MISERABLE NIGHT IN THE WEEK, ESPE- CIALLY FOR THIS OLD GENTLEMAN.
nov
ACK
TODAY . . . Modern fast recovery LP-Gas water heaters provide plenty of hot water for all family bath, laundry, and kitchen needs at any hour of the day or night.
SUHRE'S GAS & APPLIANCE CO.
HAMEL
OUR STOCKHOLDERS ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS.
ofiamel State Bank Ro
Where your checking account is most welcome
We Sincerely Solicit Your Savings
All accounts insured to $10.000 by FDIC.
HAMEL ACO-OP
FEED-GRAIN-FERTILIZERS-SEED-GRINDING Mont Station
Carpenter
G. A. SHAFFER AGENCY
adependent AGENT
213 S. Main Street Troy, Illinois
Since 1872 Hamel Mutual Insurance Co.
WILBUR F. MEYER, SEC'Y
MUTUAL INSURANCE
DIAL 633-2225
SAVIN
M FEDER
INSURE
SYS
213 S. Main St. Troy, Illinois
Gehrig's Store
T
ALHAMBRA, ILLINOIS
This is where we started
" Now serving you in our new building"
KRAIGHER'S STORE
GENERAL MERCHANDISE New Douglas
Hamel
PURINA CHOWS
Gibson Galeener Co.
Phone 2211 St. Jacob Illinois
48
Loan Association of Troy
Since 1752
145 WEST STATE STREET
HAMEL, ILLINOIS
United Savings
YOUR Insurance ....... ... ®
Hamel
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
THÉ
WESTERN
CARTRIDGE CO.
Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation-Growing with Madi- son County since its parent companies were founded in 1892 is the mammoth Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp. From modest be- ginnings these parent firms, combined in 1954, now have annual sales of approximately $600,000,000 and assets of more than $600,- 000,000. The corporation has more than 44,000 employes in 70- odd plants and 200 offices throughout the world. It has more than 43,000 stockholders.
Franklin W. Olin started the company that was the an- cestor of Olin Industries, Inc., in 1892 in one small East Alton mill and with a handful of employes. After supplying the Illinois coal fields with black powder for several years, Olin found that he needed other outlets for excess production. He turned to the manufacture of ammunition and in 1898 formed the Western Cartridge Co., which became Olin Industries in 1944. When com- petition prevented him from obtaining the necessary component parts for ammunition, he was forced to make his own bullets, shot and wadding, and to fabricate brass for cartridge cases.
In World War I, Olin increased his explosives and metals manufacturing facilities to meet huge government orders. When the war was over and he was left with excess facilities. he turned to making "tailor-made" brass and other copper alloys. chiefly in strips, sheets and coils. These products found a ready
market in the growing automobile and electrical appliance fields.
In 1930 Olin purchased the historic Winchester Repeating Arms Co., and this cemented the company's position in the small arms and ammunition business. Winchester rifles had long been known as "The Gun That Won The West."
In later years Olin entered new fields, acquiring plants that manufactured cellophane, paper, film, and tubing. Timber- lands also were purchased. In 1952 the company acquired Ram- set Fasteners, Inc., thus entering the field of power-actuated in- dustrial tools, with its ammunition facilities manufacturing the cartridges for the tools. Also in 1952 Olin acquired an interest in the Armstrong Coalbreak Co. of Benton Harbor, Mich., which holds basic patents, and sells and services equipment for the new and rapidly growing technique of mining coal by com- pressed air.
Thus by the time of the merger with Mathieson Chemical Corp. in 1954, Olin Industries, Inc., was manufacturing a diversi- fied number of high quality products in ever-widening and re- lated fields.
Carrying on for the Olin family as executives of the cor- poration are Founder Franklin W. Olin's two sons, John and Spencer Olin. O
Granite City Steel Company-A key industry of the second largest metropolitan area in Illinois is the Granite City Steel Co. which employs more than 5000 men and women. The company started in the late 1860's as a producer of granite ware. The main ingredient in the enamel was ground granite. The process of coating ironware used in household utensils with enamel was introduced in the United States by two brothers who owned a tin fabricating company in St. Louis-William F. and Frederick G. Niedringhaus.
Their business prospered and in 1878 they built the Granite Iron Rolling Mills, the business ancestor of today's Granite City Steel. Later, the brothers bought a large tract of farm land across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. There ,in 1894, they built a steel works and sparked establishment of the city that is today's Granite City.
A few years later the steel works was consolidated with plants that fabricated household utensils to form the National Enameling and Stamping Co. Then, in 1927. Nesco's steelmaking activities were incorporated separately as the Granite City Steel Co.
In 1928, its first full year as an independent company, Granite City Steel sold $14,619,000 worth of steel products-as against $137,131.00 in 1956. In the 10 years from 1946 through 1955, Granite City Steel spent $97,000,000 on new plant and equipment. Late in 1955 it began a $33,000,000 expansion pro- gram.
The company is the St. Louis area's largest consumer of such materials as natural gas, fuel oil, refactory bricks, and palm oil from East Africa. the second largest of coal and the third largest of electricity. It buys more tin than any other local industry, and more zinc than all but a few companies in the United States.
---
WILLIAM F. NIEDRINGHAUS
49
DROY'S FORD SALES SALES & SERVICE NEW & USED CARS & TRUCKS REPAIRING . GAS - OILS PHONE NORMANDY 7-5052 200 COLLINSVILLE RD. TROY, ILL.
PHONES: Dickens 4-5130 Troy NO 7-2291
KISER'S RADIO & TV SERVICE "It's Wiser to Call Kiser"
302 Short Street Collinsville, Illinois
107 South Main Troy, Illinois
COMPLIMENTS OF
Neuhaus Market
WORDEN, ILL. 459-3241
Alhambra Lumber Company OTTO A. ULLMAN
Quality Lumber and Building Materials
Alhambra, Illinois
DEALER IN MEATS AND LIVESTOCK ALHAMBRA, ILLINOIS
Edwards Funeral Home 205 Edwardsville, Road
JEWEL S. EDWARDS - Troy, Il1.
· AD DESIGN & ART WORK BY Jeanno Yakubian Dale Klaus
Fred Groennert
Vincent Gnaedinger
TYPOGRAPHY BY
PUBLISHED BY
Wood River
East 10
Printing Co.
Publishing Co.
HISTORY OF METHODISM
IN MADISON COUNTY
A
'S EARLY AS 1803 METHODIST ITENERANTS BEGAN RIDING FROM ONE SETTLEMENT TO ANOTHER HOLDING SERVICES ABOUT ONCE
A MONTH.
THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH IN ILLINOIS TERRITORY WAS BUILT IN 1805, ON LAND OWNED BY THOMAS GOOD ABOUT 2% MILES SOUTH- WEST OF EDWARDSVILLE. IT WAS CALLED BETHEL AND WAS THE LARGEST RELIGIOUS SOCIETY IN THE COUNTY.
THE FIRST CAMP MEETING WAS HELD NEAR THE RESIDENCE OF THOMAS GOOD IN THE SPRING OF 1807. THIS MEETING WAS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BISHOP WM. MCKENDREE. A PRESIDING ELDER OF CIRCUITS COVERING SEVERAL WESTERN STATES AND TERRITORIES. THIS MEETING WAS IN THE CHARGE OF REV. JESSE WALKER, THE FOUNDER OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN ILLINOIS AND THE FIRST PRESIDING ELDER OF THE ILLINOIS DISTRICT.
ONE OF THE FIRST ORGANIZATIONS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH WAS AT WANDA, KNOWN AS OLD SALEM IN 1809 BY AUTHORITY OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE HELD THAT YEAR AT CINCINNATI.
IN 1813 A METHODIST SOCIETY WAS ORGANIZED IN TROY IN THE HOUSE OF JOHN JARVIS AND LATER A FRAME CHURCH CALLED " GILEAD" WAS CONSTRUCTED ON SECTION 14 NEAR THE RESIDENCE OF REV. JESSE RENFRO, A CIRCUIT PREACHER. IN 1815 A CHURCH AT EDWARDSVILLE WAS ORGANIZED WHEN REV. JOHN HOGAN WAS ON THE CIRCUIT: AND THREE SUCCESSIVE CHURCHES HAVE BEEN BUILT ON THE PRESENT SITE OF ST. JOHN'S METHODIST CHURCH.
IN 1817 A CHURCH WAS ORGANIZED IN UPPER ALTON UNDER THE MINISTRATIONS OF REV. S.H. THOMPSON. THIS CHURCH WAS THE NU- CLEUS OF A FLOURISHING SOCIETY.
THE CHURCHES INCLUDE:
ALTON FIRST. ROBERT SIMPSON EDWARDSVILLE IMMANUEL ... ROBERT HOLLIS MADISON METHODIST.
. RUSSELL D. ODEN
ALTON GRACE.
.ROBERT J. BERRY
GODFREY FIRST. JORN CURTIS, JR. ROXANA METHODIST
AL TON MAIN ST.
. JOHN HENDERSON
GLEN CARBON FIRST ....... HUBER ROBERSON
WANDA METHODIST
ALTON ST.MARKS. MELVIN BYRD MARYVILLE METHODIST ..... HUBER ROBERSON ST. JACOB METHODIST
. PHILLIP SNYDER
COLLINSVILLE FIRST . BILL HANS
GRANITE CITY NAMEOKI ..... FRANK PIERCE MT. ZION CIRCUIT
EAST ALTON FIRST . JACK TRAVELSTEAD GRANITE CITY NEIDRINGHAUS. , VERNIE BARNETT VENICE METHODIST. CRAIG DILLMAN
EAST ALTON ST.PAULS .... . JACK L. ADAMS GRANITE CITY TRINITY. .... . JAMES T. BRYANT WOOD RIVER METHODIST. . EDWIN H. GRANT
EDWARDSVILLE ST. JOHN'S .. JAMES L. NETTLETON HARTFORD FIRST .. .. R.E.GEORGE
WORDEN. HARRY M. FISH.
50
Troy
Foodland NO 7-2021 Groceries, Quality Meats, Poultry, Frozen Foods, Full Line Produce
TROY, ILL.
HAROLD LANDOLT
BETHALTO .. . LEO COPELAND GRANITE CITY DEWEY AVE. .. RAYMOND SWITZER TROY METHODIST.
. B. R. CUMMINS
-
HERR FUNERAL HOME
503 WEST MAIN COLLINSVILLE, ILL. Phone: 344-0187
COLLINSVILLE
C. KALBFLEISCH&SONS
ORY GOODG GROCERIES
CLOTHINGAND TAILORING
H.G. GROSZE & CO. DRUGS & MEDECINES.
KALBFLEISCH BLOCK.
C.KALBFLEISCH & SONS, DRY GOODS , GROCERY & TAILORING ESTABLISHMENT AND H.G. GROZE, DRUG STORE, COLLINSVILLE , ILL.
Collinsville-The story of Collinsville, one of the fast grow- ing communities in the St. Louis area, carries through three phases-agricultural, mining, and commuter. From the time the four Collins brothers founded the city in 1817 until late in the Nineteenth century, Collinsville was chiefly an agricultural com- munity. To this day, it is agricultural to a degree because it is surrounded by some of the better farm land of the county.
During the last quarter of the Nineteenth century and well into the Twentieth, coal mining was the principal industry. Dr. Octavius Lumaghi was one of the pioneers of the industry and his work was carried on by his son, Louis. Other mines sprung up in Collinsville, Maryville, Glen Carbon and Troy to contribute to the Collinsville economy.
Some decades ago when electricity and gas and diesel fuel and fuel oil for homes started to replace coal, the Collinsville area mines started to shut down until today there is only one- the Lumaghi slope mine.
Meanwhile, however, people employed in St. Louis, East St. Louis, Granite City, and elsewhere started choosing home sites where they could "get away from it all," and many chose Collinsville. As a result, Collinsville is to a considerable extent a "bedroom city," a city of commuters. Its population spurted to an official 14,217 in the 1960 census and the growth goes on. There were 11,862 residents in 1950 and 12,902 in 1954.
Population of the trading area now is estimated at 26,430 and this figure is expected to reach 35,000 by 1970. The recent opening of Interstate Highway 70 to East St. Louis is likely to provide added impetus to expansion of the city and area.
Chief industries are the Lumaghi mine, Brooks Fine Foods Co., and the Martha Manning dress factory. Several tracts have been annexed to the city in recent years and more are contem- plated. An additional outlet from the city to the belt line on the northwest is planned in the Clay-Goethe-Walnut street area. The Chamber of Commerce has been so active that it has authorized the employment of a full-time executive secretary. ?
51
The George Blanquart Jewelers
WATCHES DIAMONDS GIFTS
113 WEST MAIN ST. COLLINSVILLE, ILL.
Mary Ann Shop
MAIN AT CENTER COLLINSVILLE, ILLINOIS Phone: DIckens 4-0143
ANDERSON PRESCRIPTION PHARMACY
B W. EVERS, R. PH.
C. W. ANDERSON, R. PH. 114 N. MORRISON COLLINSVILLE, ILL. PHONE 344-3450
Butterfield's Jewelers
Registered Keepsake Diamonds Authorized Bulova Dealer
123 E. Main St.
Jewels by Trifari
Collinsville, 111.
International Sterling
PURE MEDICINES
GERDING
DRUG CO.
CHEMICALS
PERFUMERIES
DRUGS PAINTS,O1
121 E. Main St. Collinsville, Ill. @ Ph. 345-0130
& c.
Gus Holzweg Agcy.
" DEPENDABLE INSURANCE THROUGH THE YEARS" Phone DI 4-1898. 116 East Main Street Collinsville, Illinois
KIDDIES' KORNER INFANTS' AND CHILDREN'S WEAR
Ray & Bea Herbst 323
DICKENS 4-8893
102 EAST MAIN ST.
COLLINSVILLE, ILL
KAST STANDARD SERVICE 301 Buchanan St. Edwardsville, Il1. 656-9 823
CULLOP-JENNINGS FLORIST 517 W. Clay Collinsville, 111.
UNION SAVINGS and SAVINGS INSURED UP TO
OF YOUR DAVINO. LO
79.000 ANCE CORPOR
LOAN ASSN.
WHERE YOU SAVE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE M
1923.
1962
Main al Center Sts.
344 - 6100
COLLINSVILLE
IMBERS MEN'S WEAR COLLINSVILLE AND EDWARDSVILLE, ILL.
FITS WARRANTED After Nature's Own Sweet Model.
MARSH SINCLAIR SERVICE 204 Edwardsville Road Troy, 111.
THELMA'S CAFE
107 E. Main
Collinsville, 111.
52
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY. ILLINOIS
General Steel Industries, Inc .- The history of this Granite City firm, one of the tremendous plants of Madison County that has contributed millions of dollars in payrolls through the years, is one that didn't start until the Twentieth century. Its achievements, however, are none the less commendable. After all. it is a durable goods industry that had the leadership to guide it successfully through the depression and on to much greater prosperity in the quarter century that has followed.
The industry started out as the Commonwealth Steel Com- pany a few years after the turn of the century. At that time Clarence H. Howard, who controlled the old Double Body Bolster Co., received orders for cast-steel bolsters for railroad passenger cars. His problem was how to produce them. Steel castings of such size had not been made before. He finally negotiated with the small, recently-incorporated Commonwealth firm which agreed to take the business on the condition that Mr. Howard help work out the production problem.
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