Centennial Belle Waukegan

Centennial Belle Waukegan Event Button Museum
Category
Event
Additional Images
Centennial Belle Waukegan button back Event Button Museum
Sub Categories
Illustrations
Centennial
Text on Button CENTENNIAL Belle WAUKEGAN JUNE 19-27 1959
Image Description

Blue text and an illustration of a wagon on a white background
Back Style
Brass locking pin
The Shape
Circle
The Size
1 1/2 inch
Year / Decade Made
1959
1950s
Additional Information

Waukegan, Illinois was founded in 1829 and reached cityhood by 1859. It is the 9th largest city in the State of Illinois and boasts a population of a little under 90,000 people. The citizens celebrated a Centennial festival in 1959 to commemorate the establishment of Waukegan as a city. The festival was shaping up to be a big deal in the city with some men even being encouraged to grow beards as a way to honor the city’s founders. Famous Waukegan resident Jack Benny, a comedian, was invited to attend the event as a promotional stunt to bring in a larger crowd. The event was held again in 2009 for the 150th anniversary of Waukegan. 
Catalog ID EV0477