MEMORIAL HALL.

Winnebago county began the agitation of a memorial hall for its soldier and sailor dead almost a quarter of a century ago, but it was not until 1903 that a monument was dedicated. On June 3d of that year President Theodore Roose­ velt unfurled the stars and stripes over the beau­ tiful building on North Main street. The structure is of Bedford stone. In the basement are kitchens and storage rooms ; on the second floor the post rooms. memorial tablets and club rooms. while on the third floor is a large auditorium and balcony with a seating capacity of eight hundred. In 1885 a resolution was introduced at a

meet­ ing of the board of supervisors, providing for an appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars for a memorial hall. There was some question about the legality of the appropriation, and the resolu­tion failed of passage.

Again in 1898 the matter was taken up by the board. Attorney A. D. Early spoke before that body, and everything seemed bright for an appro­ priation. But once again the plan failed because the state's attorne y held that the board could not legally appropriate money for this purpose.

Repeated failures did not dampen the ardor of the friends of the memorial movement, and it was finally determined to appeal to the legislature for assistance.

A. D. Early drew up a bill permitting the board of supervisors to appropriate the money for a memorial, after the matter had been passed on by the voters of the county at a general election.

Hon. Henry Andrus was entrusted with the charge of the measure, and he succeeded in securing its passage by both branches of the legislature, and the governor affixed his signature thereto without delay.

All that then remained to be done was the circulation of petitions to the supervisors for the submission of the proposition to the voters at the November election of 1900.

The members of Nevius post and the Woman's Relief Corps took charge of this feature and went to work with a will circulating the petitions. The requisite number of names were readily secured, and the petition duly presented.

The question went to the people. was heartily indorsed. and the last obstacle in the way of the desired memorial was removed. The vote of the county stood. 6.021 yeas. 2.757 nays.

The board of supervisors went to work with a will. Bradley & Carpenter were given the contract to draw plans. and W. H. Cook was awarded the contract for the construction of the building. President Roosevelt's visit was made the occasion of great celebration President Roosevelt became the only sitting president to dedicate a Memorial building still standing within the state of Illinois..He stated in his speech that "No more fitting memorial could be elected to the memory of the men who fought, than a hall such as this a hall beautiful because of the uses to which it is consecrated."

It is estimated that Rockford entertained twenty thousand visitors on the third day of June. and entertained them royally. The day was perfect, and immense crowds lined the sidewalks to see the nation's executive. All day exercises were held, and far into the night the campfires of Nevins post burned brightly.

 

History of Winnebago County-1877

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