HR1028 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1028 LRB097 21331 KXB 69150 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The historic community of St. Francisville was formed in 1812 on the sandstone bluff of the mighty Wabash River; and

WHEREAS, St. Francisville is one of the oldest settlements in Illinois and was founded in 1812 by a man named Joeseph Tougaw, who built a fort to protect the residents; later he founded a river ferry at the Port of St. Francisville; and

WHEREAS, In the early years, a button factory created jobs and attracted residents; men would search for mussels in the Wabash River to bring back to the factory; sometimes the men would find valuable pearls; since the days of the button factory, other business have found hope in St. Francisville; and

WHEREAS, A seed company formed in 1936 by Clarence Akin, now known as AgriGold, now serves over 400 countries; a popcorn seed company named Black Jewel Popcorn was established by Merle Litherlandin and others in the mid 1960s and is now sold across the country; St. Francisville once had its own newspaper and it is still published inside the pages of the Bridgeport Leader; and

WHEREAS, The Big Four Railroad ran through St. Francisville, crossing the Wabash River to Indiana; when the train no longer serviced St. Francisville, it was converted to a bridge so cars could cross the river; years later, the City of Francisville opened the Cannonball Bridge, a blessing for residents who travel to jobs, doctors, and shopping; and

WHEREAS, There are various events which are dear to the residents in the city of St. Francisville; the Women's Club of St. Francisville organized its first Chinese Chestnut Tree Festival in 1976 which continues to this day, serving as a reunion for former residents and an attraction for visitors; 2012 will be the 37th annual festival; and

WHEREAS, There is an annual fish fry in July, held at the river, to raise money for city needs and help make the Cannonball Bridge possible; the Fire Department also serves chowder on Labor Day to help with the needs of the volunteer Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, The town of only 800 is the home to 5 churches and the St. Francisville Christian Academy; and

WHEREAS, The residents take pride in the history of their wooden bridge, the old log cabin, the revolutionary cemetery, and being home to one of the oldest Catholic churches along the Wabash River; and

WHEREAS, The men and women of St. Francisville are proud of their country, with many of the St. Francisville residents serving in the Armed Forces, and others giving their lives for freedom; and

WHEREAS, St. Francisville will officially celebrate its Bicentennial from July 5, 2012 to July 8, 2012; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the citizens of St. Francisville as they celebrate the 200th anniversary of their community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Mayor of St. Francisville as a symbol of our respect and esteem.