SPOTLIGHT ON MURPHYSBORO Bob Williams, publisher bob.williams@thesouthern.com
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Page 2 Friday, August 6, 2010 The Southern Illinoisan
Let’s hear it for our town Murphysboro is well located to enjoy all that Southern Illinois has to offer. With the Shawnee National Forest all around us, the great outdoors is easily Williams accessed. We proudly present Lake Kinkaid and Lake Murphysboro as recreation areas for all to enjoy. Lake Kinkaid is also the source of municipal water for much of the area, providing both quality and abundance. Murphysboro is also at the north end of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. The wine trail continues to progress, developing new wines, as growers constantly expand their varieties of grapes and experience with other fruits from local harvests to provide delicious new tastes for their customers. The wine trail brings people from all over the country and abroad into our area. Many of the vineyards have developed entertainment facilities in conjunction with their vineyards, providing new and exciting venues for all to visit. With the wine trail, we have seen unique bed-and-breakfast facilities open, affording
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
The Apple Festival parade draws marching bands from across the state and beyond. Here, the Waterloo High School band marches past the Jackson County Courthouse in 2009.
those visiting us a true taste of our hospitality. Many events highlight the hospitality of Murphysboro. Summer and fall are exciting times for our city. This year the wine festival at Riverside Park was well presented and well attended. Many people attended our annual Fourth of July celebration at the park, which marked its 100th birthday. Next we will have the Murphysboro Apple Festival, which is Sept. 13 through Sept. 19. This year, the theme is Once Upon an Appletime. The Apple Festival is one of the few street festivals still operating and presents the largest parade in Southern Illinois. After Apple Festival will be the annual Murphysboro BBQ Cook-
Off, Sept. 23-25. The competition is a true street celebration with teams set up on 17th Street. We expect a large number of teams, as this contest is a step toward the Memphis in May national cook-off. In December, our Tourism Commission will have a number of events highlighting local businesses and residents, with our streets and businesses decorated for the season. Murphysboro is proud of all the volunteers and organizations that make events happen in our community. We support all efforts to improve our city and expose visitors from near and far to the best of Southern Illinois. RON WILLIAMS is mayor of
Murphysboro.
SPOTLIGHT ON MURPHYSBORO
At the heart of Murphysboro: Strong, resilient, caring residents BY CHRIS WALLS FOR THE SOUTHERN
As the executive director of Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce, I was asked why Murphysboro was such a remarkable community. My initial reply was excellent schools, friendly residents, world-class barbecue, unbelievable fishing and the greatness that is the Apple Festival. The above can be said of Walls many other communities in Southern Illinois, except for the Apple Festival. After further thinking on the matter while I was sitting on the couch one evening with my wife, Lyndsey, I realized Murphysboro is a great deal more than my instantaneous responses. Murphysboro has a deeply rooted history. The visionary who created what
is known as Memorial Day, Gen. John A. Logan, is one of Murphysboro’s proudest sons, and his legacy is exhibited at his namesake museum. Many of the homes downtown are historic Gothic Revivals, Bungalows, or Victorians. The downtown is also home to the historic Liberty Theater and the Murphysboro Event Center. Both are grand historic venues that give guests the feeling of stepping back into history. Murphysboro is dotted with many unique businesses. Historically, Murphysboro was once a brew town via the Rudolph Stecher Brewing Co., and now has that reputation again through the Big Muddy Brewery, which makes the locally famous Saluki Dunkel Dog and Kinkaid Wheat products. Murphysboro has many shops that you cannot find anywhere else in Southern Illinois. Some of these unique, downtown
Wine Trail, the expansive Shawnee National Forest and picturesque Murphysboro Lake State Park and Kinkaid Lake. Additionally, there are other fascinating places to visit such as Little Grand Canyon, Pomona Natural Bridge, Cedar Lake and 100-year old Riverside Park and its Works Progress Administration-era band shell. Murphysboro is a strong and resilient community. Over the years some pretty terrific storms have passed through these parts, destroying vast sections of the town. More than 230 people were killed THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO when an F5 tornado battered Last year, Landess Mills of Murphysboro Murphysboro on March 18, 1925. The watched the Apple fest parade. whole downtown was almost completely businesses are The Atomic Home, destroyed. Another F5 tornado hit the Angarola Stained Glass, Splattered Ink town Dec. 18, 1957. On May 8, 2009, a and numerous antique stores. derecho storm destroyed many houses, Murphysboro has a unique placement brought down hundreds of power lines on this earth. and left the town without power for Geographically, Murphysboro is at the almost a week. These types of severe doorstep of the scenic Shawnee Hills SEE PEOPLE / PAGE 4
Y OF ORY HE STO TH OWN HE TO K & TH HE BANK TH luential in 1889, a group of inf Once upon a time, back ed a bank. ed Murphysboro need cid de rs de lea ity un comm t three a loaf of bread for abou In 1889, you could buy called over 3,700 people who cents, and there were me today’s at bank eventually beca Murphysboro home. Th ned and it is our only home ow d an t, us Tr d an nk Ba First operated bank. w, so did The Bank. Just as Murphysboro gre es not so good times and sometim Sometimes there were ttles, our youngsters off to ba good. We sent a lot of The ted sta or tornadoes deva sometimes crops failed , but all on thing called a Depressi Town. There was some olved in the nk has been deeply inv those 121 years, The Ba The Town. growth and stability of
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The Southern Illinoisan Friday, August 6, 2010 Page 3
SPOTLIGHT ON MURPHYSBORO
Nothing to do? Look to us!
PEOPLE: Make Murphysboro a great community to live in
BY BARBARA DALLAS
FROM PAGE 3 storms can leave communities in ruins, but such was not the case in this durable community. Through neighbors helping neighbors, these tragedies have only made this tight-knit community even stronger. Here is one last note about the wonderful people of Murphysboro, which, in my opinion, is probably the biggest reason I feel Murphysboro is such an impressive community. My father passed away May 19 of this year at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro, and as a result, many kind and caring citizens showed their utmost compassion with cards, food and prayers. Many of the people my family did not even know personally. My family thanks all who helped us through that trying time. These are the reasons I feel Murphysboro is a great place. CHRIS WALLS is executive director of Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce.
There’s boating, water skiing, hiking, bird watching, archery, biking, Whether you’re looking and, of course, golf close by. for apples or zucchinis, Murphysboro boasts Murphysboro has it all! three city parks, and one Long known for its of them — Riverside Park — just celebrated its apple and centennial anniversary, peach orchards, the making it the eighth oldest park in Illinois. This area is ripe landmark has seen many with a changes over its 100 years seasonal Dallas but still holds a very active bounty of fruit and vegetables, most ball field and concrete of which is available every grandstand, band shell (the first of its kind in Tuesday afternoon at the Illinois and one of the few Farmer’s Market. still standing), a veterans’ Surrounded in all memorial and 65 acres of directions by wineries, gentle slopes and valleys vineyards and lodging reaching down to the Big accommodations, the Muddy River that offer a adjoining terrain consists playground and plenty of of rolling hills and picnic shelters. sandstone bluffs. In addition to the The community is well natural beauty, rich known for its unique and heritage and historic diverse cuisine and local buildings, Murphysboro flavors and traditions, nurtures collaborative including delicious working relationships barbecue, and is famous among its many groups for being the home of the and entities. Appointed by original 17th Street Bar & Mayor Ron Williams, the Grill. It is also the Tourism Commission’s birthplace of Civil War mission is to promote, Gen. John A. Logan, best support, and develop known for his General those entities that Order No. 11, which established Memorial Day contribute to and enhance Murphysboro’s ability to as a national holiday, and attract visitors. the site of the only The Tourism Center is museum in the country located in the historic 1885 devoted exclusively to Sheley House in the Logan Logan and his times. Neighborhood on Edith Bordering the Shawnee Street between South 16th National Forest, and 17th streets and serves Murphysboro is as a community meeting surrounded by welllocation, including the stocked lakes on the monthly Tourism Mississippi Flyway. Commission meetings, Kinkaid Lake is gaining a national reputation as one which are open to the of the better Musky lakes, public. A tourism commissioner serves on attracting many the Chamber of tournaments, and Lake Commerce’s board of Murphysboro State Park continues to draw campers directors and also on the Carbondale Convention from across the country. FOR THE SOUTHERN
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Glass artist Jan Thomas sculpts a human hand from hot glass May 24, 2010 at Douglass School Art Place.
Page 4 Friday, August 6, 2010 The Southern Illinoisan
and Tourism Bureau board. The only community in the country with the name of Murphysboro, the town is probably best known for its many festivals, celebrations and proactive activities. In February, there’s the Logan Birthday Breakfast. March welcomes spring with the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Irish Stew Cook Off, and in April, there’s the Easter egg hunt. May is busy with Logan Days, the Shawnee Hills Wine and Arts Festival and the Logan wreath-laying ceremony and Memorial Day service. There’s a vintage base ball team, the Clarkes, with a busy home and away schedule. In June and July, we celebrate our flag and our independence with special services and a fireworks display. From April through September, Cruise Nights are held the first Saturday evening of each month, and the July “Ladies Night Out” gets bigger and better each year. In August, we enjoy the Saint Andrew School Festival and celebrate Community Day with the Miners at Rent One Park in Marion. September brings two of our largest events — the Apple Festival and the Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-Off. The Apple Festival is the region’s oldest alcohol-free festival and attracts some 50,000 visitors. The fall is always full of events, including music and lunch at Smysor Plaza on Fridays, a Veterans’ Day service, and the community Thanksgiving dinner. And maybe this year October will offer the Big Muddy
SPOTLIGHT ON MURPHYSBORO
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
The Liberty Theater in downtown Murphysboro has undergone renovations and is becoming one of the region’s coolest venues for movies, theater, live performances and weddings.
about “A Weekend in Murphysboro,” visit www.southof64.com. But our best tourism tool THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO is our people. We are our Boaters and swimmers surround a group of luxury houseboats on Kinkaid Lake north of Murphysboro. best ambassadors. That’s is willing to get involved in obvious in the abovecontinue to call attention There is great optimism Monster Brewfest, which an educational to our community as a over the potential of will highlight the new referenced production. We experience). To learn more have a lot to offer visitors several enhancements —a destination (and one that brews being made in leash-free dog park, a Murphysboro. The first remembrance walk to the weekend in December veterans’ monument, and kicks off the holiday the bocce ball park — just season with a home tour, to name a few. Movies are the Festival of Trees and being shown in a couple of Wreathes, One-Stop Holiday Shop, a Christmas very different venues, cookie contest, and an art including the almost 100year old Liberty Theater gallery. The Logan on Walnut Street and the Neighborhood is lighted Riverside band shell, and and Captain Applesauce, the number of attendees is the Apple Festival Queen growing in both locations. and Mr. and Mrs. Claus Meanwhile, our several stroll and visit with good antique shops are being little boys and girls. scoured for that special A new and growing identity for Murphysboro collectable, clubs and organizations are holding is the development of the fish fries and dances, art Logan Neighborhood and galleries are having particularly the Hughes receptions, and all this is Gallery. This is a natural spurring tourism. growth that will enhance We were proud to have the Douglass School building, the Gallery Space been selected by Southern Illinois University and the many other artisans already spread out Carbondaleto participate in a project documenting around town. This, like “A Weekend in many of Murphysboro’s Murphysboro,” and it is other gems, offers great hoped the resulting potential for our website and traveling community and the Southern Illinois region as exhibit, used in combination with a whole. www.murphysboro.com, Murphysboro is truly have called and will “Ripe with Possibility.”
and ourselves. Murphysboro is ripe with possibilities, and you can make it riper! BARBARA DALLAS is a
Murphysboro native and member of the Murphysboro Tourism
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, August 6, 2010 Page 5
SPOTLIGHT ON MURPHYSBORO
A birthday and a rebirth for Riverside Park BY ADAM TESTA THE SOUTHERN
Located at the heart of Murphysboro, historic Riverside Park captures the essence and spirit of the town. From a veterans’ memorial honoring the community’s soldiers to a baseball field shared by teams of new and old to the new playground equipment installed by local residents, the park truly has something to offer everyone. And 2010 has been a milestone year for Riverside, which at 100 years, is the eighth oldest park in Illinois. On the Fourth of July, the city hosted its largest fireworks display in recent years as part of the birthday celebration, and patrons of the event enjoyed cake while it lasted. The event may not have drawn the crowds of the 1930s, when more than 15,000 people gathered on the park’s lawn for a fireworks showcase, but organizers were pleased with the results, as were those in attendance.
Each Memorial Day weekend, not-forprofit Friends of Murphysboro hosts the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Wine and Art Festival. This event highlights the wineries and vineyards of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and the local art community. Music booms from the historic band shell. Friends of Murphysboro has undertaken the mission of promoting and improving Riverside Park, and, in three years, the group has made strong inroads with further plans in the works. Among the major ongoing projects is an effort to sell bricks for a memorial walk leading to the veterans’ memorial, which is the second marking of its kind to adorn Riverside. After World War I, a group of soldiers belonging to the organization Legion Way petitioned the park board to allow them to install a veterans monument. They brought in a 150-millimeter German field cannon from the war and nicknamed it Big Bertha. That marking
stood until World War II, when it was removed, melted down and used for copper in the war effort. In the years between those wars, the face of Riverside Park was changed for the better; two of its most iconic monuments were constructed. The locale became home to a Civilian Conservation Corps encampment, and workers from the Works Progress Administration built the baseball field and grandstand, which today is used primarily for American Legion baseball in the summer, and the aforementioned band shell, used for a variety of events through the years. In 1948, the New York Yankees held tryouts at the stadium, and the St. Louis Cardinals have also done so in the past. Another key element of Murphysboro lore emanates from Riverside Park, where people in the past have reported seeing the Big Muddy Monster lurking in the nearby woods. This Bigfoot-like legend has been engrained in Murphysboro culture for years, and Riverside has a role
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Jane Butcher of Murphysboro takes a closer look at a local artist’s work at Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Wine and Art Festival in May 2009.
to play in that continued storytelling. This park truly serves an important role in the lives of many Murphysboro residents and in the town’s culture and personality. In the past 100 years, the park has undergone many changes, and if the efforts of interested parties are successful, they hope to see many more positive improvements through the next century of Murphysboro history. adam.testa@thesouthern.com / 618-351-5031
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SPOTLIGHT ON MURPHYSBORO
General John A. Logan Museum: Growing legacy BY MIKE JONES
off at Apple Festival, then moved to the museum and University Mall in FOR THE SOUTHERN Carbondale. It will travel to locations A lot has happened at the General John throughout Illinois in 2010 and 2011. The museum’s operations are guided A. Logan Museum since turning 20 in by a strategic plan developed by the May 2009. Last year’s Logan Days’ activities were, for the most museum’s board of directors. The part, “gone with the wind.” museum received a $5,000 grant from the American Association of Museums to As a result of the May 8 conduct a Museum Assessment Program storm, all of museum’s Public Dimension Assessment. As a part school programs were of the assessument process, staff and canceled, and our annual wreath-laying ceremony at volunteers spent four months gathering information. The AAM grant provided the Logan Statue was Jones for a museum professional who produced moved to Memorial Day. The electricity came back on just in time a report with 23 prioritized for General and Mrs. Logan’s annual Civil recommendations, which are being used as a guide to improve future operations. War Ball. Luckily, the museum received The museum has also enrolled in the only minor property damage, but it was a shame to lose those beautiful shade trees. American Association of State and Logan History’s Standards and Excellence Last year’s greatest accomplishment, Program for History Organizations. This with the help of a grant from the Illinois self-paced, self-study program assesses Humanities Council, was the “Lincoln, the organization’s policies and practices. Egypt and the Civil War” exhibit and programming. This major exhibit kicked The museum is applying for three grants
to improve the handling of its collections, and an on-site research area for historians will be created. Logan Days 2010 was on schedule, and new programming for students resulted in more than 700 students attending. The wreath-laying ceremony at the Logan Statue, which turned 80, was on Memorial Day. It was cosponsored with American Legion Paul Stout Post 127. Of great pride was the Logan reunion hosted by the museum and the Carbondale Convention and Tourism Bureau for Logan descendants from the area and across the United States. As a part of the reunion, the museum coordinated Memorial Day programming with those at Woodlawn Cemetery. The fifth annual Flag Day service in the Logan Neighborhood attracted many museum visitors. Work continues on raising money for the fundraising campaign, “Preserving the Legacy.” The current exhibit is “Gone But Not
DETAILS What: General John A. Logan Museum Where: 1613 Edith St., Murphysboro Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday. In September, hours change to 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. More info: Call 618-684-3455 or visit www.loganmuseum.com. Forgotten” and focuses on rural Southern Illinois cemeteries and the part two local cemeteries played in the story of creating a national Memorial Day. This exhibit traces the evolution of grave markers throughout the 19th century, restates the promise of Logan’s Memorial Day Order and encourages the restoration of more than 4,000 abandoned cemeteries. If you have never visited the only museum in the country exclusively dedicated to Gen. Logan and his times or if it’s been a while, drop by. You will be impressed. MIKE JONES is executive director of the General John A. Logan Museum.
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