HR1150 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1150 LRB093 23063 HSS 53028 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to recognize milestone events that occur in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, It has come to our attention that the Village of Patoka is celebrating its sesquicentennial during the weekend of September 3, 2004 through September 5, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Patoka is a small town in Southern Illinois with an interesting history and a promising future; the number of settlers in this area grew steadily due to the abundance of rich farmland, and businesses began to thrive; some historians indicate that this community was named in honor of an Illinois Native American, Patoka, Chief of the Cahokias; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Patoka was established on July 4, 1854 and officially laid out by Brigham and James Clark; within a year, C.F. Jones made an addition to the territory with the building of the Illinois Central Railroad; shortly after the building of the railroad, Cyrus Walker built the first home and started the first store in Patoka, as well as handling the duties of station agent; in 1856, Mr. Walker built the first business house and was also the town's first postmaster; other businesses that came to town were a produce store, a blacksmith shop, and a gristmill; during the late 1800s, farmers depended on tomatoes as a main crop, and they would bring their harvest to the town cannery for processing; the Patoka Register, a weekly newspaper was started around 1906; and

WHEREAS, Churches were a vital part of the early life of Patoka; there were six churches originally established and four of the congregations are still active today; and

WHEREAS, In 1921, all-weather roads came to Patoka with the building of Highway 51; in 1936, the first oil well was drilled, and this marked the beginning of the oil boom; and

WHEREAS, At one time, there were 11 one-room school houses in the area; the schools were consolidated into a schoolhouse in Patoka, which was later replaced by a brick schoolhouse after fire destroyed it; and

WHEREAS, Today, the population of Patoka is approximately 633; the residents are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Patoka at the Fall Festival in September; the Festival will include music, fireworks, a parade, a Patoka History Museum display, food, crafts, bingo, a cake walk, an antique tractor display, water wars, a pedal pull, a petting zoo, jumps, a rock climbing wall, pony rides, face painting, sand volleyball, the Terrapin Hill Muzzleloaders, a history presentation, and a veteran's memorial; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Village of Patoka on the distinction of reaching its sesquicentennial; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Village of Patoka as an expression of our respect and esteem.