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In the Beginning: McLeansboro was laid off in 1821. The original plot contained thirty six blocks with four being reserved in the middle for the town square. There were four main streets running through the plot. The four streets were named Main Street and Market Street, which ran east and west, and Jackson Street and Washington Street, which ran north and south. All four of these streets still surround the town square today.
Early elections and government: According to the general law passed on February 10, 1849, an election was to be held in McLeansboro on January 26, 1856. This election was to extend the corporate limits of the town. Apparently the election was unsatisfactory, because another was held on March 8th the same year. The election passed but it must have been an illegal election because McLeansboro Legislature passed an act legalizing this election on February 18, 1857.
City Boundaries: The city limits were extended on October 16, 1872. The extension included one square mile of land. Since then the Tyler addition, Hyatt second addition, Stelle addition, Heard second addition, and Meadow Hills addition have been added.
The early town: The first house in McLeansboro was a log structure located in the northeast corner of the town and built by Doctor William B. McLean. All structures were log until Jesse C. Lockwood built the first frame house of McLeansboro. For a long time there were only three frame houses. Benjamin Hood was the first frame house carpenter. Daniel Marshell was the first merchant, although Jesse C. Lockwood kept the first store. Randolph Smith kept the first tavern. Joseph Irvin was the first hatter. James Allen was the first tanner. Either Solomon Collins or Robert Witt was the first blacksmith. Samuel Patton was the first wagon maker. Samuel Dietz was the first tailor. John S. Kinner was the first tinner. Dr. William B. McLean was the first physician. Samuel S. Marshell was the first resident attorney-at-law. The first students sent to collage were Judge Marshell and Judge Crouch. In 1881, Wright and Daily, who were lumbermen, purchased a hearse. T. B. Wright was the undertaker. W. C. Shaw installed the first street lamps, which burned oil, in front of his store. It was decided that twelve lamps would be put around the square for light. On February 13, 1883, the street lights arrived and the contract given to T. B. Wright.
On April 20, 1886, and election was held which made McLeansboro a city under general law. The city was then divided into three wards. An election was called for on May 20, 1886 to select two aldermen from each ward and a mayor. P. L. McNabb was the first mayor. J. E. Robinson, William D. Richards, Thomas B. Allen, Stepen F. Cook, W. R. Daniel, and T. L. Hunter were the first aldermen. S. J. Lockwood was the first City Clerk, while W. McConnell was the first Treasure and Joshua L. Sneed was the Attorney.
The Volunteer Fire Department: On July 9, 1894, fifty-nine men met at Wright Lumber Yard and formed the McLeansboro Volunteer Fire Department. Three companies were formed and were called Hook and Ladder Company, Hose Company Number One, and Engine Company Number One. They had a hand operated pumper and a hose cart with a bell. They were drawn by six men with handbars on each side of the pumper working it up and down to fill the tank and give pressure to the hose. To protect the businesses sections large wells were dug on each corner of the square. In 1895, the department won the silver Fireman's Trumpet from the Rowe Engine Company for having the best fire fighting record in Illinois and Indiana. In 1899, new equipment was purchased. The city had installed a water system which new had mains and hydrants and the pumper was no longer needed. Horse drawn vehicles consisting of hose wagon and hook and ladder outfits were purchased. A system was established whereby as soon as an alarm sounded various teamsters and expressmen with spirted horses would pull the hose wagon for $2.50. Some spirited contest came from the fires.
In 1918, a model T. chemical truck motorized the department, and since that date they have continued to add to their equipment. The Volunteer Fire Department now has two modern pumpers and a power operated aerial ladder truck. The ladder will run up to fifty-three feet for placing against buildings and is self-supporting at forty feet. The department maintains life-savings and emergency equipment, together with a portable emergency light plant.
Fire Alarm: The alarm system started with a bell atop the firehouse to be rung. Next a steam fire whistle operated from the electric light power plant was used. It gave out such a noise that it scared people and animals for miles around and so it was abandoned. A new system of using speakers in the volunteers homes were installed and a siren operating on top of the city building sounds continuously for one and one-half minutes.
Current Fire Department: The Volunteer Fire Department is a member of the Illinois Coal Belt Fire Protection Association. The present Fire Chief is Howard Bittenbender. The McLeansboro Fire Department has always had a good record of effiecive firefighting.
McLeansboro Today: McLeansboro has many important jobs today. We have a Mayor and Council government. Our mayor is Dick Dietz. We have seven aldermen on our council, and the Chief of Police is Robert Crow.
Around the square there are many businesses. These include: Irvin Jewelry, Russell Alan Monroe Accounting, Heartland Wireless, Dr. Jenkins OD,Aydt's Hardware, Prince Real Estate, Bonan & Bonan Attorneys, Dr. K. Murugappen, Dairy Queen, Vapel's Furniture, Bookworm, Times-Leader, Peacock Printing, Lisa's Hallmark, York's Pharmacy, McCoy Library, People National Bank, Banterra Bank, Poolhall, Mimo's Pizza and Linus Aydts & Associates, Inc. These are just some of the businesses in McLeansboro today.
Education today: We have three major schools in McLeansboro. The first school is West Side for K-2. East Side & Hamilton County Junior High is for 3-8. McLeansboro High School for grades 9 - 12 |
