HR1028LRB097 21331 KXB 69150 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The historic community of St. Francisville was
3formed in 1812 on the sandstone bluff of the mighty Wabash
4River; and
 
5    WHEREAS, St. Francisville is one of the oldest settlements
6in Illinois and was founded in 1812 by a man named Joeseph
7Tougaw, who built a fort to protect the residents; later he
8founded a river ferry at the Port of St. Francisville; and
 
9    WHEREAS, In the early years, a button factory created jobs
10and attracted residents; men would search for mussels in the
11Wabash River to bring back to the factory; sometimes the men
12would find valuable pearls; since the days of the button
13factory, other business have found hope in St. Francisville;
14and
 
15    WHEREAS, A seed company formed in 1936 by Clarence Akin,
16now known as AgriGold, now serves over 400 countries; a popcorn
17seed company named Black Jewel Popcorn was established by Merle
18Litherlandin and others in the mid 1960s and is now sold across
19the country; St. Francisville once had its own newspaper and it
20is still published inside the pages of the Bridgeport Leader;
21and
 

 

 

HR1028- 2 -LRB097 21331 KXB 69150 r

1    WHEREAS, The Big Four Railroad ran through St.
2Francisville, crossing the Wabash River to Indiana; when the
3train no longer serviced St. Francisville, it was converted to
4a bridge so cars could cross the river; years later, the City
5of Francisville opened the Cannonball Bridge, a blessing for
6residents who travel to jobs, doctors, and shopping; and
 
7    WHEREAS, There are various events which are dear to the
8residents in the city of St. Francisville; the Women's Club of
9St. Francisville organized its first Chinese Chestnut Tree
10Festival in 1976 which continues to this day, serving as a
11reunion for former residents and an attraction for visitors;
122012 will be the 37th annual festival; and
 
13    WHEREAS, There is an annual fish fry in July, held at the
14river, to raise money for city needs and help make the
15Cannonball Bridge possible; the Fire Department also serves
16chowder on Labor Day to help with the needs of the volunteer
17Fire Department; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The town of only 800 is the home to 5 churches and
19the St. Francisville Christian Academy; and
 
20    WHEREAS, The residents take pride in the history of their
21wooden bridge, the old log cabin, the revolutionary cemetery,
22and being home to one of the oldest Catholic churches along the

 

 

HR1028- 3 -LRB097 21331 KXB 69150 r

1Wabash River; and
 
2    WHEREAS, The men and women of St. Francisville are proud of
3their country, with many of the St. Francisville residents
4serving in the Armed Forces, and others giving their lives for
5freedom; and
 
6    WHEREAS, St. Francisville will officially celebrate its
7Bicentennial from July 5, 2012 to July 8, 2012; therefore, be
8it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we congratulate the citizens of St. Francisville as they
12celebrate the 200th anniversary of their community; and be it
13further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15presented to the Mayor of St. Francisville as a symbol of our
16respect and esteem.