In December, 1949 the city council authorized a squad car for the police. The Ford tudor sedan is fully equipped, including a two-way radio connecting with both the telephone and sheriff's office.
CITY PARKS. Two parks were laid out when the city was platted and trees planted. The park donated by Wathen was named Jefferson Park, and the Gibson park named Franklin Park. Because cattle were frequently loose on the streets, the parks were enclosed with an iron fence in 1877. A bandstand was also erected that year in Jefferson Park, making it a focal point for community celebrations and summer concerts. The fences came down in 1904, but the bandstand remained for nearly thirty years longer when decay necessitated its removal.
In 1901 the Illinois Central lawn between Front and First Streets was leveled, enclosed with a low iron fence and some flowers planted.
The I. C. lawn had a low fence about 1910.
The grass was then kept cut with lawn mowers and the improvement begun by the railroad is today continued by individuals and the city until we have a nice "park" extending on the railroad grounds from Front to Third Streets. The fence has long ago been removed.
Diagonal walks were laid in Jefferson and Franklin Parks by donated labor in 1912, with about $1,200 being raised by contributions, each square being marked with a donor's name. Dr. Gordon donated both ornamental lights in the parks June 2, 1913, giving his salary as alderman for that purpose. Both parks were badly in need of fill, and on June 1, 1914, 160 men, farmers as well as businessmen, joined forces in an organized effort to improve both the fair ground and the parks in one operation. The high infield banks along the race track were cut down so rainfall would drain off rapidly, and the dirt was hauled on the
Page 135