The following is part Twenty-Five 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. 

1993 – Challenger Sherry Weis defeats incumbent Irvin Latta and is elected as the 30th Mayor of Chillicothe. Weis received 765 votes to Latta’s 679. Weis adds her name to the history books by becoming Chillicothe’s first female mayor. In other election results, Sharon Crabel won re-election as City Clerk running unopposed. This marked Sharon Crabel’s 2nd consecutive term and the 20th consecutive term that a “Crabel” has controlled the City Clerk office in the City of Chillicothe.

1993 – Chillicothe Park District President Sandy Pomazal and board members held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new Riggins River Walk at Shore Acres Park. Named in honor of Dean Riggins, a longtime trustee of the park board, the river walk offers a scenic view of the Illinois River along the shoreline behind the Shore Acres Clubhouse.

1993 – First National Bank (FNB) is celebrating 125 years of business in Chillicothe, IL. Founded in 1868, FNB evolved from the Truitt-Matthews Banking Co., which included prominent figures such as Henry Truitt, P.T. Matthews, and Harvey Holman. FNB was officially organized on December 10, 1900, by President Benjamin Franklin (B.F.) Zinser, Vice President Ira D. Buck, and Treasurer Eugene Moffitt. In 1966, shareholders of Truitt-Matthews Banking Co. and FNB approved a merger, resulting in the newly named Truitt-Matthews First National Bank. In 1978, the bank moved to its current location on Fourth Street, prompting a return to its original name, First National Bank.

1993 – Three Sisters Park has added a historic house to its 1918 Living History Farm. The 102-year-old home was once the residence of Zealy Moss Holmes, the grand-nephew of Lydia Moss Bradley, founder of Bradley University. Originally located on Old Galena Road, the house was generously donated by area developer and current owner, Dean Hendryx.

1993 – The Chillicothe Police Department has relocated to a new facility at 823 N. Second Street, marking a significant upgrade from its previous location at 1707 N. Santa Fe on the north end of town. The state-of-the-art facility, which once housed Stroot Chiropractic and previously the Chillicothe Federal Savings and Loan, took several months to complete at a cost of $400,000 (equivalent to approximately $825,000 today). The project included $200,000 allocated for equipment, enhancing the 911 feature.

1993 – Chillicothe Metal Company (CMCO) celebrates 30 years in business. Founded by Robert Fennell, CMCO began operations at 210 Walnut Street. In 1968, Fennell relocated the company to its current location on Rome West Road to accommodate its growth and expansion. He attributes the success of CMCO to the dedication, experience, and skill of its employees.

1994 – Illinois Valley School District 321 decides to close the Rome (West) School by a vote of 6 to 1. The school will close at the end of the 1993-1994 school year. Rome (West) School opened in 1964 and offered grades 5 through 8.

1994 – Timberwalk, a subdivision located on Krause Road just over two miles west of Chillicothe off Cloverdale Road. The 23-lot subdivision located in Hallock Hallow Township received a zoning change in 1992 to allow the development. Terry and Jean Ruhland, owners of Plum Creek Builders, will be working with landowners Fred and Elizabeth Rockwell, owners of Rockwell Nursery.

1994 – Chillicothe Township office moves into their building and grounds at 1438 North Fourth Street. The location on Fourth Street is the former Irions Concrete and Wigand Disposal building. The building will contain offices for supervisor John L. Stoecker, assessor Sharon Minnes, and town clerk Sharon Crabel.

1994 – Two of Chillicothe’s most prominent citizens died the same week. George Taylor known by most as simply “the coach” died July 26th one day after his 84th birthday. Barbara “Barb” Truitt, the woman who spearheaded the establishment of Pearce Community Center, died one day later at her residence.

1994 – J.C. Penney’s Chillicothe store closes its doors on October 15 after nearly 70 years in business. J.C. Penney had operated out of its location at 210 W. Walnut Street since 1980. 

1994 – Pearce Community Center (PCC) celebrates the completion of Phase III Fitness/Weight Room and Senior Room Expansion, including the new gymnasium completion on October 30th. The new 11,500-square-foot gymnasium is complete with hardwood floors, a perimeter walking track, basketball courts, and state-of-the-art volleyball facilities. The project was funded by the Chillicothe Foundation, Inc.

1995 – Well-known Chillicothe architect Tom Landes of Landes, Benson, and Parkins retires after 35 years of owning his own business. Landes started his architectural career in 1959 in Galesburg. Soon after, Landes and his wife Lynn moved back to Chillicothe, and he started his firm on the second floor of the First National Bank Building downtown. In 1966, he constructed the West Pine Professional building at 300 W. Pine Street and moved his office into the building. By 1970, Wayne Benson, Irv Lady, and Dennis Parkins had joined the firm. The firm has tallied over 1,400 projects over the years.

1995 – Chillicothe’s Rescue 33 moves into its new home at 1217 N. Santa Fe Avenue at the southwest corner of Santa Fe Avenue and Truitt Avenue. Rescue 33 was founded in 1966 as part of the North Chillicothe Fire Department. They were incorporated in 1968.

1995 – The Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce moves into their new office at 1028 N. Second Street. The building location was the former site for Bob Shaw’s Meat Market.

1995 – Peters Floral, in business since 1936, moves into their new location at 310 N. Fourth Street. Peters Floral was forced to move from their original location because of the planned widening of Route 29 through Chillicothe.

(1995 to be continued next month)