HR0413 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0413 LRB094 12246 CSA 45918 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The City of Girard marks its 150th anniversary in 2005; and

WHEREAS, The Sesquicentennial celebration will be held July 27-31, 2005; many events are planned for these five days, such as a carnival, fireworks, games, entertainment, parade, Miss Girard Pageant, contests, historical exhibit, food stands, and souvenirs; and

WHEREAS, Girard, a site of Black Hawk's hunting ground, was a fertile spot on "The Grand Prairie"; this prairie became known as Macoupin County in the year 1829; a few peaceful Indians were still enjoying life in their village on the current site of Oak Leaf Country Club near Girard; these Indians declared to the first settlers that this was a spot favored by the "Great Spirit", for here "no cyclone would ever blow"; and

WHEREAS, An enterprising Frenchman by the name of Girard built a sawmill on the timbered banks of the stream, which was soon to be called Mill Creek, west of the entrance to the Country Club; and

WHEREAS, Following an old Indian trail, John Henderson settled about one and one-half miles north of the present site of Girard, and established a stage coach stop; this line later became State Route 4 in 1921; during the years 1926 to 1930, this highway served as part of U.S. Historic Route 66; and

WHEREAS, Early efforts were made to establish a town at Girard's mill before 1834; then, in 1834, two of the settlers, Dr. Edwards and Colonel George Mather, made a second effort to form the town; in the spring of 1853, Barnabas Boggess and Charles H. Fink laid out a town site "at right angles to the world"; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Lewis and John Way made the first addition in 1855 on the town's south side; this section has always carried the nickname "Waytown"; the town was incorporated in 1855; and

WHEREAS, As the years passed, the city grew with the development of fine businesses, good schools, many churches, railroads, farming, coal mining, and recreational opportunities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the Sesquicentennial of the City of Girard and encourage former and current citizens of Girard and the surrounding communities to join in celebrating this important anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the City of Girard as an expression of our esteem and best wishes for Girard's successful five-day celebration.