“Today, February 28, is the 150th birthday of Williamson County,” said Ed Goodwin of Herrin and chairman of the county Sesquicentennial Commission. “And today we begin a year-long celebration designed to be fun as well as educational to observe our county’s first 150 years and give us a spirited start for our next 150 years.”
Goodwin outlined a series of special events that will occur throughout the county during the year. He said the commission was working to encourage other groups in the county to include activities recognizing the Sesquicentennial in their events.
During the kickoff today, Gary Kobes, an officer with the firm that plans to build a S165 million shopping center in Marion, announced the firm’s interest in participating in the Sesquicentennial.
He said his firm, Illinois Center Associates, wilt name the east-west thoroughfare for the 100-plus store mall the “Williamson County Parkway.”
Also today the commission unveiled the official Sesquicentennial logo. The design, which will be the emblem used for all celebration activities, is a stylized rendition of a design by Brie Harrison of Johnston City.
Harrison’s logo incorporates several key attributes of the counts, including symbols of its urban and rural environment and economy, the importance of coal mining, the strength of its educational systems, and the beauty of its recreational attractions.
The winning design was selected from among 31 submitted in a contest sponsored by the commission. Harrison will receive $200 cash prize and one of the first striking of a souvenir Sesquicentennial medallion coin. The coin will bear his logo.
Second place in the logo contest went to Amy Miller of Marion and third place went to Ken Miller of Marion. Each will receive a cash prize and a Sesquicentennial coin.
Among the key events the commission will sponsor as the Sesquicentennial observances continue are:
A historical play about Williamson County. The play, commissioned by the Sesquicentennial group, is being written by David Nava of Chicago and originally from Herrin. Performances are scheduled during two weeks in October.
A special Sesquicentennial Wagon Train in May that will spend two weeks on a journey throughout the county. Wagon master, Tom Gulley, who organized the highly publicized Trail of Tears wagon train last year, said he expected “county yarns and history” will be shared at the evening campsites along the trail. The public will be invited to attend.
A Sesquicentennial Ball in September at which participants will be encouraged to dress in 19th century attire.
A variety show, entitled “150 Years of Entertainment in Williamson County,” scheduled for June 24. Excerpts from the show will be available to clubs and organizations in the county throughout the year.
A Williamson County History Conference and a Williamson County Church Day in October.
A beard contest in Creal Springs. The Sesquicentennial’s best beards with winners in some 12 categories will be selected in September.
The opening of a time capsule buried in Marion during the county’s Ouasqui-Centennial celebration on June 6th at the Williamson County Courthouse.
The publication of the Official Williamson County History, commissioned by the Sesquicentennial Commission The book is expected to be available in early fall.
Goodwin said that in addition to commission-sponsored Sesquicentennial events dozens of local events are expected to include anniversary activities. In Herrin, for example, organizers of the annual Herrin Fest will use “Education in the Sesquicentennial” as their theme.
“Our commission’s goal has been to involve all areas of the county in this celebration.” he said.
Goodwin distributed what he called a limited edition Sesquicentennial Plaque to the mayor or representative of each of the 15 incorporated municipalities in the county. He asked them to display the piece, a shadowbox with photos mounted on a velvet background with an original Centennial button at village and city halls to encourage each town’s citizens to take an active part in the celebration.
County Board Chairman Curtis Palmer presented a proclamation to Goodwin and the commission. In the proclamation, commissioners noted that Williamson County had figured prominently in the nation’s history, having served as a launching point for George Rogers Clark’s attack on the British fort at Kaskaskia.
The county board also acknowledged the patriotism and industriousness of Williamson’s citizens.
Program and Events Committee
| Mary Lou Roberts, Chair | Marion |
| Elflora Aikman, Asst. Chair | Marion |
| Cheryl Nofsinger | Herrin |
| Harry Hancock | Johnston City |
| Brocton Lockwood | Marion |
| Rev. Lee Swope | Marion |
| Irma Swope | Marion |
| Loretta Crosson | Crab Orchard |
| Jack Hill | Marion |
| Edward Oliver | Carterville |
| Tullyne Oliver | Carterville |
| Dee Ozment | Crab Orchard |
| Ron Hudson | Energy |
| Claire Travelstead | Marion |
| Ron McDonald | Marion |
| Tom Gulley | Marion |
| Wayland Sims | Marion |
| Priscilla Gray | Johnston City |
| Ray Reynolds | Marion |
| Lester Bethel | Marion |
| Yolande Peterson | Marion |
Logo Committee
| Robert Mees, Chair | Carterville |
| Kay Howell | Marion |
| Bob Jackson | Marion |
| Steve Eli | Johnston City |
| Sue Blewett | Marion |
| Judy Kuehner | Marion |
Finance Committee
| Frank Colombo, Chair | Herrin |
| Denzil Walker | Herrin |
| Brenda Brewster | Herrin |
| Marilyn Jones | Williamson Co. |
| Leticia Demattei | Marion |
| Gene Duiguid | Herrin |
| Charay Colombo | Williamson Co. |
Ball Sub-Committee
| Cheryl Nofsinger, Chair | Herrin |
| Wanda Evans | Johnston City |
| Ann Higgerson | Marion |
| Patty Jones | Murpnysboro |
| Margie Stotlar | Herrin |
| Marlene Thompson | Marion |
| Glenda Woods | Marion |
| Robyn Followell | Marion |
| Larry Hunter | Carterville |
| Mary Jo McCurdy | Lake of Egypt |
| Mary Lou Roberts, ex officio | Marion |
Church Events Sub-Committee
| Rev. Lee Swope, Chair | Marion |
| Irma Swope | Marion |
| Bud Rushing | Herrin |
| Rev. Everett Lynch | Marion |
| Rev. Joe Van Roekel | Marion & Herrin |
| Father Loren Kapper | Herrin |
| Rev. Jettie Vaughn | Cambria |
| Faye Cronin | Carterville |
| Maxine Pyle | Johnston City |
| La Von Boyl | Herrin |
| Ron Henwood | Herrin |
| Mary Lou Roberts, ex officio | Marion |
Horticulture Sub-Committee
| Dee Ozment, Chair | Crab Orchard |
| Debbie Hale | Crab Orchard |
| Richard Powers | Johnston City |
Industrial Sub-Committee
| Ron Hudson, Chair | Energy |
| Janice Hunsaker | Herrin |
| Art Wilson | Herrin |
| Jim Cook | Herrin |
| Mary Lou Roberts, ex officio | Marion |
Entertainment in Williamson County Sub-Committee
| Claire Travelstead, co-chair | Marion |
| Ron McDonald, co-chair | Marion |
“Kick Off” News Conference Sub-Committee
| Reg Ankrom | Herrin |
| Mary Lou Roberts | Marion |
| Lester Bethel | Marion |
Wagon Train Sub-Committee
| Tom Gulley, Chair | Marion |
| Cheryl Gulley | Marion |
| Tullyne Oliver | Carterville |
| Larry Bowman | Williamson County |
| Mary Lou Roberts, ex officio | Marion |
Commercial Display Sub-Committee
| Wayland Sims, Chair | Marion |
| Erma Fisher | Herrin |
| Lowell Kerr | Marion |
| Norma Kerr | Marion |
| Allen Shelton | Marion |
| Kay Ingersoll | Herrin |
| Barry Stewart | Marion |
| Beverly Reynolds | Carterville |
| Mary Lou Roberts, ex officio | Marion |
Beard Sub-Committee
| Harry Hancock, Chair | Johnston City |
| Clyde Robertson | Creal Springs |
| Tom Gulley | Marion |
| Mary Lou Roberts | Marion |
| Larry Bowman | Williamson County |
| Lester Bethel | Marion |
Beard Judges
| Myrna Denton, Chair | Johnston City |
| Cheryl Hardin | Energy |
| Suzanne Short | Marion |
Sesquicentennial Play Committee
| Priscilla Gray, Chair | Johnston City |
| Brocton Lockwood | Marion |
| Julia Bruce | Herrin |
| Ed Goodwin | Herrin |
Education Sub-Committee
| Jack Hill, Chair | Marion |
| Betty Neely | Herrin |
| Carl Cottingham | Carterville |
| Dave Hindman | Herrin |
| J. P. Wynn | Herrin |
| Joan Ellen Reynolds | Carterville |
| Rev. Jim Barnett | Carterville |
| Lee Booth | Herrin |
| Paulette Howard | Thompsonville |
| Priscilla Gray | Johnston City |
| Ted Jeter | Marion |
| Tom Davenport | Carbondale |
| Maxine Pyle | Johnston City |
| Gary Hernbeck | Herrin |
| Mary Lou Roberts, ex officio | Marion |
History Sub-Committee
| Edward Oliver, Chair | Carterville |
| Tullyne Oliver, Co-Chair | Carterville |
| Jo Ann Ladd Hatfield | Herrin |
| Wanda Craig Collins | DeSoto |
| Wilma Harris | Johnston City |
| Helen Lind | Johnston City |
| Connie Hudson Cram | Marion |
| Helen Nagge Davis | Crab Orchard |
| Pearl Roberts | Johnston City |
| Ron Moroni | Creal Springs |
| Don Bethel | Marion |
| David Hancock | Marion |
| Dave Douglas | Energy |
| Ted Jeter | Marion |
| Carl Cottingham | Carterville |
| Lee Swope | Marion |
| Cindy Lee | Marion |
| Dee Fozzard | Carterville |
| Andy West | Marion |
| Dan Cheatum | Carbondale |
| Louis French | Herrin |
| Mary Crain | Murphysboro |
| Ron Read | Marion |
| Lettie Hunter | Carterville |
| Shirley Thackston | Paulton |
| Shirley Chamness | Marion |
| Sherrie Sexton | Carterville |
| Teresa Boaz | Marion |
| Mary Lou Roberts | Marion |
Float Sub-Committee
| Phil Minnis, Chair | Marion |
| Jack Hill | Marion |
| Alan Dillard | Anna |
| Bob Jackson | Marion |
| Marie Samuels | Carterville |
| Mary Lou Roberts | Marion |
Time Capsule and Law Day Sub-Committee
| Brocton Lockwood, Chair | Marion |
| Tom Oates | |
| Larry Woolard | |
| Bob Mees |
Costume Sub-Committee
| Loretta Crosson, Chair | Marion |
| Elsie White | Marion |
| Mary Lou Roberts | Marion |
Costume Judges
| Myrna Denton, Chair | Johnston City |
| Julia Bruce | Herrin |
| Georgianna Rickey | Marion |
| Geneva Grisham | Williamson County |
| Ruth Herrin | Herrin |
(Data and photos extracted from the 1989 Sesquicentennial History)