The “sister villages” of Hartsburg and Emden were
both established in 1871 and laid out because the railroad passed
through the area. Many early Hartsburg residents leased from the
Scully family who owned quite a bit of land in the area. Many early
settlers of Emden were German immigrants and they named it after the
village of Emden in northern Germany.
All for One Color Run kicks off Hartsburg and Emden's 150th
Anniversary celebrations
Though Hartsburg and Emden each had their own celebrations, an “All
for One Color Run” held Saturday, June 5 kicked off the events. The
special event was a “fun-raiser” benefitting Hartsburg and Emden’s
upcoming 150th anniversary celebrations.
Before the run started, Hartsburg Mayor Norma Bathe and Emden Mayor
John Snyder reminded everyone of the upcoming celebrations. As
bikers, runners and walkers lined up near Hartsburg Emden
Junior/Senior High School, those participating in the event threw
color packets as they prepared to set off.
Those going through the full circuit began in Hartsburg and finished
just outside Emden’s Luther Field. There were five color stations on
the route and people could join the circuit at one of them.
At Luther Field, there were food vendors and people selling
anniversary t-shirts for each of the towns.
Christy Cross, one of the event’s organizers, was pleased by the
great turnout. As Cross said, residents from both communities came
together to support a cause near and dear to all our hearts. As we
had hoped, it was a great day for Hartsburg and Emden to come
together in the All for One Color Run.”
All for
One Color Run kicks off Hartsburg and Emden's 150th Anniversary
celebrations
Hartsburg-Emden All for One Color Run- Slideshow
Just a couple of weeks later, on Friday, June 18, Hartsburg began
its weekend of 150th anniversary celebrations.
A pork chop dinner held at the firehouse was followed by an opening
ceremony led by Mayor Bathe, who also chaired the celebration
committee. Friday’s events included recognitions of golden agers
over 90, couples who had been married the longest and recognition of
past mayors. These were followed by brief messages from local county
dignitaries.
Royalty from the 100th and 125th anniversary celebrations - Carla
Conrady Jurgens, Ryan Anderson and Alyssa Eeten Klokkenga - were
then introduced and helped crown the Hartsburg’s 150 years
anniversary royalty - Queen Faith Sanders, Little Miss Laney Coers
and Little Mister Presley Payne.
The evening’s events ended with an ice cream social, an egg toss,
kids’ games and musical entertainment.
Saturday’s events included a backyard BBQ contest, food vendors, a
kiddie tractor pull and a parade with 50 entries. The evening ended
with a concert by Brushville.
Many enjoyed visiting and reminiscing throughout the events.
Hartsburg celebrates 150 years
Friday evening kicks off a huge celebration-slideshow
Memories revived – memories made – good times on Saturday at
Hartsburg’s 150th
Youngsters Enjoy Kiddie Tractor Pull on Saturday
A parade, BBQ contest and lots of food make Saturday a fun day in
Hartsburg - slideshow
The weekend of July 16 - 18, Emden held their 150th anniversary
celebration. Friday night’s activities included a chicken supper,
quilt show and opening ceremonies.
To kick off the weekend events, Mayor John Snyder welcomed everyone
and thanked all who helped plan the celebration. He then introduced
Little Miss Emden Mia Westen who was crowned July 11.
The Emden Community House marked 100 years in 2021, and longtime
Emden citizen Larry Westen shared how plans for the community house
came about.
Lord Mayor Tim Kruthoff of Emden, Germany sent a declaration in
honor of the celebration after Emden, Illinois resident Dena Bergman
contacted them about the celebration. Westen read the declaration
congratulating the town on its special occasion and inviting
residents to visit Emden, Germany someday.
Saturday events include a backyard BBQ, car show, antique tractor
show and wiffleball tournament. The homecoming parade celebrated the
town’s heritage.
Evening activities included bouncy houses, kids’ games, Bingo and
musical entertainment.
As with the Hartsburg celebration, many came out to visit and
reminisce.
A sign on one float in this year’s parade said, “Remember the
moments of the past, look forward to the promise of the future, but
most of all, celebrate the present, for it is priceless.” It seemed
like an apt description of the events marking Emden’s 150th
anniversary celebration.
Emden marks two special anniversaries in 2021: Emden’s 150th
and the Community House’s 100th
History Remembered on Friday Night-Slideshow
Family Friendly Activities Kick off the Celebration - Slideshow
Emden celebrates past 150 years while moving into the future –
Saturday events
Saturday brings food, cars, tractors and lots of fun - Slideshow
Saturday parade is the highlight of the day - Slideshow
Cars, trucks and tractors a big part of parade – Slideshow
Four churches celebrate milestones
Churches celebrating anniversaries this year were Trinity Episcopal
Church, Jefferson Street Christian Church, Zion Lutheran Church and
Prairieland Christian Church.
[to top of second column] |
To mark Trinity Episcopal Church’s 150th anniversary,
a special worship service and meal was held on Sunday, May 30.
Lawrence Stringer provides some background on the early years of the
church in his book History of Logan County, Illinois. “The Trinity
Church parish of the Episcopal Church in Lincoln, dates from July 3,
1871. At this date, a meeting of those interested was held in the
Universalist Church on Kickapoo.” Initially, “services were held in
Gillett’s Hall, a temporary chancel having been erected for that
purpose.” In the fall of 1871, Judge Stephan Foley donated four lots
on the corner of Kankakee and Kickapoo.
Father Christopher Simpson, the church’s current rector, said the
church’s first building erected in 1873 was a small wooden
structure. For the church’s 150th anniversary, Father Simpson shared
more history of the church and its additions including a basement
and Berger Hall.
Long time church member Bill Gossett said over the
years Trinity Episcopal Church has been recognized as a small but
mighty group and tight knit church who took care of its own.
Trinity Episcopal Church reaches big milestone – 150 years
Jefferson Street Christian Church marked its 50th anniversary in
2021. To commemorate the anniversary the church planned special
services September 25, October 3 and October 10 and a community-wide
celebration Saturday, October 3. Special guests during these weeks
of celebration included previous church staff.
In videos played at the services, some of the churches’ charter
members shared its early history including how and why the church
was started.
When JeffStreet celebrated its past, present and future over three
weeks, Senior Minister Michael Mallick said the community-wide
celebration was a way to minister to others. As JeffStreet continues
its ministry, the hope is to reach the community for Christ and live
out the mission of bringing people to a deeper relationship with
God.
Jefferson Street Christian Church celebrates 50 years
Honoring the past moving in the future- slideshow
A big day deserves a big party- slideshow
Church family enjoys spending time together- slideshow
Zion Lutheran Church marked 150 years October 3 with a special
service and banquet. One member created a booklet with memories from
over the years and people were able to view it that day.
On Sunday, November 14, Prairieland Christian Church in Hartsburg
commemorated 150 years with a Legacy Sunday. Over the previous few
months, past ministers had come back to speak. The current minister
is Nathan Chitwood.
Over its history, the church has gone through a change in location
and more than one name change. It was originally known as
Musickville Christian Church and the church building was on Henry
Musick’s farm. The building was moved to Hartsburg on a snowy day in
1875 and renamed Hartsburg Christian Church.
In 2000, the church was renamed Prairieland Christian Church. The
Prairieland group initially met in the home of Fred and Jeanine
Allen. In February, eight members of the Hartsburg Church and six
members of the Prairieland Church met at Orville Shaffer’s home.
When this meeting ended, the group from Hartsburg had unanimously
voted to merge with Prairieland, and to deed the building and
grounds to the Prairieland Christian Church. Shaffer gave the church
keys to Ralph Allen.
The building has undergone various changes and additions since then.
The Legacy Sunday message by Don Green was ‘Building on the same
foundation for the next generation.” Green said the church had a
rich heritage.
A slideshow at the end of the service showed photos from the past
including groundbreaking for the new sanctuary. and members involved
in various activities over the years.
Legacy Sunday ended with a potluck luncheon for the whole
congregation.
Prairieland Christian Church celebrates 150 years
In addition to the villages and churches celebrating notable
anniversaries, local organization Lincoln Woman’s Club also marked a
125-year milestone.
To celebrate the anniversary, the club held a box luncheon at Latham
Park on July 7 with several past presidents in attendance.
Lincoln Woman's Club was also honored with the signing of a
proclamation by Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch naming July 7th as Lincoln
Woman's Club Day.
The Lincoln Woman’s Club was founded July 7, 1896, and over the
years, has continued to fulfill its goal of community improvement
through volunteer service.
Club member Ruth Sloot researched the history of the Lincoln Woman’s
Club this year and compiled and shared a list of several projects
the club has done over the years. The club was recognized for their
service in the past year.
Numerous programs held by LWC over the years included well known
speakers such as Carl Sandburg.
Since 1927, the Lincoln Woman’s Club has been located on North
McLean Street near the downtown area in a building that once housed
a Jewish Temple.
Recently, city of Lincoln grant funding and club raffles enabled the
club to have the original stained-glass windows above the building’s
entrance restored by Jacksonville Stained Glass.
Lincoln Woman's Club celebrates 125 years’ service
These places, churches and organization are all important to Logan
County history.
[Angela Reiners] |