Energy, Illinois' Calaboose History.

On Route 148, right in the middle of Energy, Illinois, there was a squat, concrete, empty Calaboose (prison).

The Old Calaboose.

The heavy metal door was on rusty hinges, and the two small cells were bare. There were no signs of the colorful history of prisoners or escapes - only a few scrawlings were found on the walls, including a faded 'J.R. loves' [somebody], written in lipstick.

There is a history. It goes way back before the little jail was built. There was an older jail, one made of two-by-fours.

The history of jails is the history of Energy, a quiet town - the residents called it the quietest and friendliest town in Southern Illinois. The concrete jail had only been used three times in 37 years.

But there was a time when Energy and its jail were a total of rowdy, drinking and cursing men. Back then, the Energy calaboose, less than 200 feet from the nearest saloon, was the center of town activity every night from 6 PM until 10 PM. It was back in the early 1900s.

At 5 PM, the miners from Carterville, Herrin and Marion would begin to pile into the four noisy saloons that lined the streetcar line that brought them to Energy. They would be in a hurry because they had only four hours to drink, argue, fight, and cuss before taking the last streetcar out at 10 PM. They had to drink their fill-in Energy because it was dry back home in Carterville and Marion.

At about 8 PM, Charley Perrin, Henry Range or other policemen would begin filling the Energy jail. And just about 10 PM, the prisoners would break out of this first frail jail so that Ben Walker and some other streetcar operators could get them back home on the 10 PM run.

The first Energy jail was built by Marion Kood for $1 a day to the city. The jail later turned into a coal shed, remembered for the tales about those who escaped.

Two area rowdies were more familiar with the inside of the Energy Calaboose than anyone else. One was a roamer who lived in Happy Hollow. He was taller than most people and skinnier, too. After drinking in one of the saloons, he would get in trouble, and they would toss him in jail. He was so thin he'd squeeze out through the chimney flue.

There was another little man from Carterville. He weighed just a little over 100 pounds. It was said he was a mean little guy, and no sooner would they throw him in jail than he would pry loose a floorboard, escape, and beat up the arresting officer. They finally left him alone.

In fact, the only person ever locked in the old Calaboose they knew of who didn't get out one way or another was "an old fightin' woman." She would get wild - kicking and screaming, and they'd throw her in jail.

The city saw the need for a better jail. In 1908, Price Watson built the concrete jail in the center of Energy. He threw in the construction of the jail and all the city sidewalks for $1,000. He did a good job, too. No one ever escaped.

The 2nd Calaboose is built from concrete.

After the new jail was built, they put the old one up for public auction.

The new concrete jail was not used for long. New city and federal laws put the saloons out of business, and when the saloons were gone, the need for a city jail was gone, and Energy became a quiet little town.

One oldtimer said, "We traded four saloons and a calaboose for two fine churches, a good school, and peace of mind."

The concrete jail was torn down in 1964 to make way for a new 874-square-foot post office on the corner of Ward Street and Route 148.

The town of Energy got its name from Herb Taylor Sr., who called the coal mined at Taylor 1 & Taylor 2 mines "Energy Coal."

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

White City (Amusement) Park, Herrin, Illinois. (1924-1957)

White City Park, a $300,000 amusement park ($4,466,000 today), was located at 621 North 17th Street at East Polk Street, in Herrin. 

Grand Opening 1/4 page Newspaper Advertisement for May 30, 1924.

It opened on Memorial Day of 1924 with over 5,000 electric lights. Over 10,000 people attended the opening day. Their tag-line or slogan was: "The Whitest Spot in Egypt." (Southern Illinois is also known as "Little Egypt.")

Main Entrance

The purchased property was cleared of residences and built substantially, artistically, and conveniently for recreational and fun purposes.

Location

Mr. John D. Marlow had been in the amusement and hotel business all his life. He was President of the Marlow Parks Corp., which operated White City Park amusement center in Herrin for 32 years with partners, George Marlow, James Marlow, and Paul Colombo. Marlow Parks Corp. owned White City Park, the Ly-Mar Hotel in Herrin, and several theaters. The park was open from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

An average of 12,000 people attended on weekends. The park's main feature was the 100x200 foot saltwater swimming pool, one of the largest in the country. Marlow purchased more than $4,000 ($60,000 today) worth of bathing suits and over 1,000 lockers.

Swimming Pool

Swimming Pool Slide

Swimming Pool Steel Diving Tower

The pool was equipped with two children's slides, two large slides, a 10 and 20-foot steel diving towers with diving boards. A spectator's balcony was provided for those who do not wish to swim. The water in the swimming pool was changed daily by pumping water from six deep artesian saltwater wells, thus ensuring a freshwater supply. The pool was also equipped with a chlorinating apparatus that constantly purifies the water with a solution of liquid chlorine gas, thereby destroying all bacterial growth and all water insects. 

A change came for the 1927 season. The entire park was only open on Saturdays (at 6:00 pm), Sundays, and Holidays (at 2:00 pm), although the saltwater swimming pool was open daily.

Ballroom

Ballroom

Attractions also included a roller skating rink, a bowling alley, a penny arcade, a funhouse, the African Dip, skeeball, a large shooting gallery, a puzzle bungalow, strike-'em-out, and a few mechanical carnival-type rides too; the Caterpillar, the Whip, a Merry-Go-Round, Teeter Coaster, the Mixup, and others. Lots of free acts like tumblers and high-wire acts were common on weekends along with spectacular fireworks shows.

Merry-Go-Round

The Caterpillar

The Caterpillar

The Whip, offseason

For those who enjoyed stage attractions and movies, they found a large, 2,500 seat, cool open-air theater, protected in case of rain by an arched steel-constructed roof, with sides arranged so that they can be lowered in case of rain. The shelter held 15,000 people.

Teeter Coaster

Teeter Coaster

There were numerous concession stands, confectionery, and a restaurant. The park was equipped to handle all kinds of food and beverages. A complete electrical refrigerating plant for keeping meat, bottled drinks, and ice cream had been installed. There were a number of electric and gas cooking devices of different kinds, including a novelty Hot Dog roaster, a Tater-Flakes (potato chips) machine, roasted popcorn, and a machine to make sugar wafers.

After the Great Depression began in 1929, the concessions and rides were sold. The theater disappeared, but the ballroom remained open.

The ballroom was originally on the 2nd floor but later was moved to the first floor. It seated 1680 people with standing room for another 600. The dance floor would hold 500 couples at once. The ballroom alone drew 50,000 to 60,000 persons a year during its peak period.

Ballroom Ticket

Many of the nation's top dance bands and big-name musicians played at the White City Park ballroom; Vaughn Monroe, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Wayne King, Stan Kenton, Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk, Paul Whiteman, and Count Basie among many, many others, including popular local talent. The ballroom continued operation until 1957 when the building was sold and became a grocery warehouse market. The landmark building became a fire hazard and was torn down in 1978.

Summarizing his reasons for closing White City in 1957, Marlow said, "The days of the big bands in the big ballrooms are gone."

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale. Ph.D.

White City (Amusement) Park, Belleville, Illinois, formerly "Priester’s Park.” (1899-1919)

In 1899, Frank M. Priester, a 46-year-old German immigrant, used 88 acres near what today is roughly 6000 West Main Street, for "Priester's Park," a relaxing amusement escape for city residents. The area was situated in "Lenz Station," four miles west of Belleville proper. The sprawling property would have baseball, football, golf, tennis and cricket fields along with gymnastic apparatus, bowling alleys, a dance pavilion, rifle range, and a restaurant.

"Everything calculated to make the park the most thoroughly equipped and pleasant resort in St. Clair County has been provided for, including a large lake for fishing and boating," according to a front-page story on January 20, 1899, Belleville Daily Advocate. "The entire place will be lighted with electric lights (powered by an on-site generator). Belleville societies and clubs will be royally entertained whenever they go there."

Lake, Priester's Park, Near Belleville, Illinois.

In 1902, a bolt of lightning sparked a fire that destroyed a barn, bowling alleys, and pavilion. Tragedy struck again in 1905 when two St. Louis men drowned.

By the fall of 1905, Priester already was eager to try something different, so on November 3, he announced his plan to turn the amusement park into Priester's Park Driving and Country Club open to members only. In addition to all of the previous attractions, Priester spent another $20,000 to build a half-mile driving track for horse and auto races, and a movie theater. The idea was to make the club, valued at $100,000 (perhaps $3 million in today's money), a "popular place for gentlemen who appreciate true sportsmanship" while providing special days for women and children. By the following spring, memberships numbered 650 with another 212 offered. The new concept had its informal opening on May 12, 1906.

"A tour of the park and inspection of the buildings will be a pleasant surprise to the admirers of comfort, nature and all that goes to make life worth living," the Advocate gushed.

The bar, for example, featured an extensive buffet served in elegant surroundings with 16th-century trappings. Also new were private club rooms for both men and women, four private dining rooms in Priester's own on-site home — and a hotel.

Priester's Park Hotel.

"There can be no question but that the preserves of the club are the most spacious, up-to-date and finest equipped in the Central West," the Advocate writer concluded.

But all the gold and glitter could not buy the club's success. In the fall of 1907, another fire left $45,000 in damage, prompting another change of plans for Priester. On April 8, 1908, several thousand people enjoyed riding the 2,000-foot roller coaster at what was now called "Priester's White City," where admission was 10 cents to all. Tickets included the lastest rage — a motion picture theater.

Neither the new name nor new events like motorcycle races could save Priester's dream. By 1913, he was embroiled in lawsuits with Star Brewery, from whom he leased land for the park. Priester was eventually awarded roughly $10,000 in damages in two suits. He soon sold the park, but it had even less success in the hands of Peter Schwartz. In July 1917, Belleville ordered the park closed when a sheriff's deputy was slugged while trying to calm an unruly patron. The closure was rescinded the next month, but the city ordered that while liquor and music would be allowed, dancing would be banned, adding to the park's miseries.

For a time in 1916, Belleville discussed buying the place for its first city park, and organizations began donating money. But the West Side Improvement Association claimed it was too far from town and would turn into a costly boondoggle, so the idea died.

Finally, in 1919, the park's roller-coaster history came to an end when Bishop Henry Althoff bought the park for educational purposes. To celebrate New Year's Day 1925, Althoff announced that the Oblate Fathers of Mary would establish a Misson and Retreat House on the property. On October 4, 1926, St. Henry Prep Seminary welcomed 13 students through its doors, the first of nearly 3,000 who would study there until it, too, closed in May 1984.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Columbia Park, Central City, (1896-1905); White City (Amusement) Park, Central City. (1906-1926)

White City Park was originally called Columbia Park.

Columbia Park

Columbia Park in Central City, Illinois, operated from 1906 to 1926. It was owned by the Central City Traction Company, which was chartered in 1906 for 99 years. The park had a dance hall, a roller coaster, a swimming pool, and other attractions. It was a popular destination for people from Centralia and the surrounding area. The park closed in 1926 due to financial difficulties. The land was eventually sold and developed into a housing subdivision. 

White City Park

White City Park was located near Crooked Creek in Central City. It was the focal point for Centralians.

Crooked Creek, near Centralia, Ill.

The park contained such attractions as a swimming pool, a baseball stadium, a skating rink, a dance hall, bandstand for vaudeville shows and concerts. 

Central City Traction Company furnished transportation for Centralians to White City Park in the pre-auto era around the turn of the 20th century. The park was well known for its white picket fences and brightly painted signs.

Centralia  Evening Sentinel's Free Children's Excursion to the White City. July 10, 1907.

Thousands of people made the excursion to White City daily to take advantage of its recreation facilities. The swimming pool was the most popular attraction. It was made from concrete and holds 200,000 gallons of water. 

People flocked to White City to beat the summer heat, and after a week, more than 50 women learned to swim. In 28 days, 10,000 patrons paid to swim in the pool.

White City Park Swimming Pool.

Management created special days for swimmers. A water polo team was formed, and matches were well attended. 

A greased pole with a ham on top was another attraction that kept swimmers busy on hot days. 

A promise of a season's swimming pass was offered to anyone who could sit on a 300-pound block of ice floating in the pool. On a woman's chattering teeth, managed eight minutes, and the management magnanimously gave her the pass anyway.

White City Park Entrance.

As baseball became a major Sunday entertainment, White City took over. A modern grandstand was built, and top teams were drawn to Centralia to meet the powerful, local, minor-league White Sox team.

The White City Ball Park.

Centralians also watched a mock stagecoach robbery at White City when hard-riding "robbers," complete with masks and guns, stopped a stagecoach and relieved the driver of his money box.

World War I was the beginning of the end for White City Park as the automobile eliminated the "Oregon Short Line" and opened new doors of entertainment for residents. 

The Oregon Short Line at the White City Trolley Station.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

Museum of Science and Industry changing name to "Julius Rosenwald Industrial Museum."

The Museum of Science and Industry will now be called the "Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry" following a donation of $125 million from the Chicago billionaire. The museum's board honored Ken Griffin by amending his name to the museum.

It's the most significant single gift in the museum's history, which opened in 1933.

The museum was incorporated as the Julius Rosenwald Industrial Museum but renamed the Museum of Science and Industry in 1928—five years before it opened—because Rosenwald did not want his name on the museum.

"This incredibly generous gift helps ensure Museum of Science and Industry. Remains a vital resource for science learning well into the 21st century," the museum announced on its website. It explained that renaming the museum "was the most appropriate way to convey our gratitude for this gift." Griffin is the wealthiest man in Illinois.
The museum also insisted its mission will not change as a result of the donation, part of which will go toward a new "Pixel Studio," which is called "a state-of-the-art digital gallery and performance space that will be the only experience of its kind in North America.

"The purpose of this gift is to allow us to continue the great work we do to support our mission and vision," the museum's statement said. "MSI's mission will remain the same as it has always been: to inspire the inventive genius in everyone, and we are grateful for this gift, which will help ensure the Museum remains a vital resource for science learning well into the 21st century."

Private support for the museum 2018 totaled $19 million, up $3 million from the previous year.

By Mitch Dudek, Chicago Sun-Times, October 3, 2019
Edited by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

---

Kenneth C. Griffin - Chicago Philanthropy

• Griffin had contributed millions to the Art Institute of Chicago, public education, the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, the Chicago Public Library, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Griffin also contributed to the Museum of Contemporary Art, the "Evolving Planet" at the Field Museum of Natural History, and endowed professorships at the University of Chicago. 

• In October 2006, the Griffins and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded and supported the opening of Woodlawn High School, a new charter school in Chicago.

• In 2007, Griffin donated a $19 million addition designed by Renzo Piano to the Art Institute of Chicago.

• In October 2009, Griffin and his wife founded the Kenneth and Anne Griffin Foundation. The foundation's contributions include $10 million for the Chicago Heights Early Childhood Center, $16 million for Children's Memorial Hospital, and total funding for the University of Chicago's Early Childhood Center.

• In December 2016, Griffin gave $12 million to the Chicago Park District to help fund separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians along the city's 18-mile lakefront.

• In November 2017, the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund made a new $125 million gift to support the Department of Economics of the University of Chicago, which he was honored with the department being renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics.

• A $16.5 million donation allowed the Field Museum to purchase a cast of the largest dinosaur ever discovered in 2018, a 122-foot-long Argentinian titanosaur named Máximo.

• In October 2019, the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund announced a $125 million gift to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the largest gift in the museum's history. The museum intends to change its name to the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. 

• In 2024, Kenneth C. Griffin donated $125 million to the Museum of Science and Industry. The museum's name was changed to Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.