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

1952 – The Belles of Harmony group announces a new quartet out of their bass section. The newly formed quartet consists of Sarah LeMaster, baritone; Lucille Miller, tenor; Inez Thompson, lead; and Bertha Bradley, bass. The group calls themselves The Big Four.

1952 – Local Businessperson Rolland J. Taylor and his wife Lucille plat out a 3- and 1/2-acre piece of property on the land formerly owned by Turner Johnson. The eighteen-lot subdivision sits just west of Hoyt Street, one-eighth of a mile north of Truitt Avenue. The subdivision will be known as Taylor Court (now known as McDowell Street).

1952 – Notice was served by Mayor Dick Zinser that he intends to enforce the law against gambling in Chillicothe. Zinser was enforcing the initiative by Gov. Adlai Stevenson in 1950 to crack down on illegal gambling. Zinser told the Chief of Police that he would be removed from his duties if there was any further gambling in the city.

1952 – The Pearce Mustang Heavyweight Boys track teams were crowned State Champs. Coached by Earl Smick, the Mustangs beat Beardstown, their closest competition by 1 and ½ points. Chillicothe finished first out of the 35 teams. Clarence Quinn finished first in the Shot Put and the 440 Yard relay team finished tied for first. Members of the relay team were Jim Peters, Ron Smith, Doyle Burwell, and Clarence Quinn.

1952 – North School Opens midway through the 1952-53 school year. North School was constructed on a seven-acre piece of property formerly known as the Wagner property on Fifth Street, between Maginnis Street and Fourth Street. The grade school was constructed at a cost of $125, 000, which is equal to $1.45 million dollars in today’s economy. Helen Maddox was the school’s principal, with Lena Bardelmeier, Genevieve Parvin, Ida Caldwell filling out the teaching staff.

1952 – Weber Funeral Home celebrated its 100 years of business. Four Generations of the Weber family have carried on the operation of the Weber Funeral Home. Andrew Weber started in the cabinet-making and undertaking business. In 1896, Peter Weber took over his father’s interest. In 1913, Eugene Weber took over the reins of the business, and then in 194o, Jack Weber entered the family business as the fourth generation.

1952 – Pearce Grade School opened its new gymnasium and stage to the public on Nov 14th. The gymnasium was constructed at a cost of $150,000, which is equal to $1.75 million dollars in today’s economy. The gym will feature a maximum seating of 650.

1952 – A special election is conducted on December 16th to determine whether North Chillicothe and Chillicothe should merge. The municipal partnership was voted down with 55% of residents voting “No”. North Chillicothe voted 517 against and 140 for in the election, while in Chillicothe, 411 voted for, and 155 against.

1953 – Mayor Dick Zinser appointed Gail “Mike” Myers as Fire Chief to succeed Charles Hoyt after his sudden death. Arthur Neuman was appointed assistant Fire Chief to replace Myers.

1953 – Thomas Benjamin “Ben” Greer is elected the new Mayor of Chillicothe. Greer became the 23rd Mayor in the city’s history by defeating challengers Everett Rose and Harold Pribble. Greer received 525 votes to Rose’s 326 and Pribble’s 190. Other elections saw Ilion Wait Crabel defeat Marion Cornet, 646 to 342. This was Crabel’s eleventh re-election. Jim Ladd scored an easy victory over Rolland J. Taylor and was named Village President of North Chillicothe when he received 321 votes to Taylor’s 108.

1953 – The Illinois State Housing board announces that a new twenty-acre subdivision consisting of 66 lots just west of the High School (previous High School location on Truitt Avenue) and extending North of Walnut Avenue and South of Truitt Avenue. The Chillicothe Bulletin in conjunction with the Peoria County Housing Authority runs a naming contest for the Subdivision. The winner is Vivian Kelly, a teacher at Pearce Grade School and a lifetime resident of Chillicothe. Miss Kelly presented the name Westmead, after one of the original owners of the property, William M. Mead. It was approved by the Peoria County Housing Authority board. Miss Kelly wins $50 for her winning entry. Streets within the subdivision include Hushaw Avenue, Manning Drive, and Fletcher Lane.

1953 – Noble Sturgeon and his wife Pernia plat out a four-acre piece of property just south of Taylor Court. The twelve-lot subdivision sits just west of Hoyt Street, one-eighth of a mile north of Truitt Avenue. The subdivision will be known as Sturgeon Addition.

1953 – Chillicothe’s Big Four Quartet wins the Sweet Adeline’s National Women’s barbershop contest in Milwaukee. The quartet bested a field of 27 quartets from all over the United States. The Big Four was given a hero’s welcome with an impromptu parade through the heart of downtown. The parade contained the Big Four and their driver Dwight Lemaster along with fire departments from Chillicothe and North Chillicothe, Mayor Ben Greer, and the VFW and American Legion.

1954 - The Methodist Church celebrates their 100-year anniversary. The first service was held in January of 1854. The first location of the church was on the NW corner of Third Street and Beech St. In 1898, the church was relocated to its current location at Sixth Street and Chestnut St.

1954 – The Kerasotes Co. that owns and operates two theaters in downtown Chillicothe, closes the Palace Theater on March 1st. The decision is made after the numbers of customers decline after more families start watching television in their homes compared to going to the movies.

1954 – Kenneth C. Koch in conjunction with the Chillicothe Developers, Inc. plat out the first of a 3-phase rollout of the 136-lot subdivision that will be called Cloverdale Subdivision. The first phase is a 40-lot subdivision and is located one-quarter mile west of the Chillicothe cemetery and is located on the property formerly known as Cloverdale Farm.

You can read parts 1-11 using the links below.