The following is the sixth of a multi-part article about the timeline of Chillicothe, IL. This article will illustrate the key dates along with the key individuals that helped to shape our city’s great history.

1925 – W.E. (Warren Elisha) Van Dusen is elected as the 17th Mayor of Chillicothe. He defeats the challenger Henry G. Friedrich, by a margin of 233 votes. Van Dusen received 599 votes to Friedrich’s 366. Van Dusen would serve one two-year term.

1925 - The remaining ruins of the Daniel Kelly property on Second Street that was destroyed in the December 11, 1922 fire. The remaining part of the building was condemned and ordered to be removed under the direction of the State Fire Marshall. It had housed Deep Saad’s Confectionery prior to the fire.

1925 – Nathaniel S. Cutright donates land to the City of Chillicothe. The six and ½ lots donated by Mr. Cutright, located in Block 2 of the original town of Chillicothe was the former site of the Chillicothe Canning Factory. City officials will now decide how to use the land. A community pool has been discussed for the primary use of the land. The site will eventually be known as Cutright Community Park.

1925 – The Peoria Automobile Club announces an expansion plan for its current building on the river. Along with the announcement, is an immediate name change to the North Shore Country Club. The expansion will include a 6500 square foot addition on the river side of the building, a swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, a locker room and showers for the golfers, and a children’s playground equipped with an attendant. 

1925 – C.B. Zinser informs all parties that contributed to the Grain Alcohol Plant that they will be receiving their money back. The contract called for the buildings to be built within one year of execution. Extensions were given to W.H. Schott and Zinser instructed no more extensions would be offered. 

1926 – Elmer Sturm buys two vacant lots owned by Daniel Kelly. The buildings were burned down in 1922 and never rebuilt after the fire. It housed Wyman Clothing Store, the A&P Store, and Deep Saad Confectionery. Plans are in the works to build a theater. George Graham, who for the past five years worked at the Palace Theatre, will be partnered with Mr. Sturm in this business venture.

1927 – Club management with the North Shore Country Club commissions Tom Bendelow with The American Park Builders to design a nine-hole golf course. Bendelow was known as “The Johnny Appleseed of American Golf” and is credited with designing many historic golf courses including Medinah Country Club and Olympia Fields Country Club. The course opens in the spring of 1927 and is estimated to have cost $20,000 to build. An equivalent of $350,000 today.

1927 – Oscar T. Staley, former alderperson and President of the Peoples Building and Loan Association, is elected as the 18th Mayor of Chillicothe. He defeats the challenger John Lynch, by a margin of 118 votes. Staley received 457 votes to Friedrich’s 339. Staley would serve one two-year term.

1927 – A vote by the citizens of Chillicothe to decide whether the City Council should replace the Old City Hall with a new one is put to vote. The vote was carried by a narrow margin of twenty-nine votes. It is thought that the deciding factor in the election was the involvement and votes carried out by the Kiwanis Club, and American Legion members. 

1927 – Elmer Sturm buildings are completed. Sunset Theater (will eventually be renamed as the Town Theater) opens for business officially on March 25 with a play presented by the American Legion. The play is a musical called “Betty Lou” and features many local citizens in various roles. The play was a fundraiser that helped pay for equipment for the American Legion drum and bugle corp. The estimated cost of the buildings constructed was $30,000, a value of $530,000 today.

1927 – High School board unanimously approves the name of Cutright Athletic Field to the High School field. This was done to show appreciation to Mr. Nathaniel S. Cutright for his generosity towards the school and the land that was donated where the High School is currently located. Mr. Cutright was a former resident of Chillicothe. He has been especially interested in helping his community and supporting the youth of tomorrow and their education.

1928 – Citizens gather on June 22nd at the construction site of the New City Hall. Dedication for the closure of the cornerstone for the new civic building that will also house the American Legion Post No. 9. The building is set to be a monument to Chillicothe and its citizens for generations to come. A copper box, carefully sealed, was placed in the corner stone of the building. The box contained the following: 1. List of the city and public officials for the years 1927-1928. 2. Ordinance authorizing the bond issue for the City Hall. 3. List of all the boys from Chillicothe Township that had entered the World War. 4. Roster of the Chillicothe Kiwanis club. 5. a copy of the May issue of the Kiwanis magazine. 6. 2 copies of the Kiwanis Horn proposing a new City Hall and Community building dated March 12, and April 23, 1927. 7. A copy of the April issue of the American Legion magazine. 8. A copy of the May 4th issue of the Chillicothe Bulletin, containing a picture of the old City Hall recently torn down with a story of its history. 9. Pictures of the following: largest sand and gravel plant in the world, Webbs Inn, Chillicothe Grade School building, North Shore Country Club, main business section of Chillicothe, Illinois, First National Bank and Post Office, Public Library, Chillicothe High School, Ivy Way Subway, City Park, two of the old City Hall pictures, all five churches in Chillicothe, 10. Roster of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. 11. A list of businessmen who deposited a penny in the box, which contains 179 pennies in all. 12. A copy of the June 18th issue of the Peoria Journal Star which told of the laying of the cornerstone, June 19, 1928. 13. Chillicothe Women’s Club calendar.

1928 – Dedication of the New City Hall building takes place on Sunday, December 2nd. One of the largest public gatherings in recent years, as Mayor Oscar T. Staley speaks to the crowd and speaks the history of Chillicothe. The building was constructed by the Fitschen Co. of Washburn and was designed by the architectural firm of Hewitt-Emmerson and Gregg of Peoria, Illinois. The total cost of construction was estimated at $30,000, a value of $530,000 today.