Centennial Belle Waukegan

Category
Additional Images
Sub Categories
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
The Shape
The Size
Year / Decade Made
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