THE DIXON ARCH
It seems Dixon has always been a city of arches, from the time
the first arch was erected over First Street by the Illinois Central
Railroad. It is not known what purpost those temporary, bunting
draped arches were placed there for.
The year 1994, will mark the 75th year that a familiar landmark
of Dixon has greeted travelers and residents to this area. The "Dixon
Arch" as it has come to be known by, was first built for Lee County's
celebration and homecoming of the soldiers returning from World War 1
which was celebrated with a gigantic parade on the afternoon of June
12, 1919, with an estimated 25,000 spectators that were present.
This first arch had been constructed by the work of various
committees appointed by Mayor, Mark D. Smith and through the efforts
of many citizens which brought the venture to a reality. It was built
of beaverboard and was to be a temporary structure, to be taken down
after the welcome parade and ceremonies concluded. Adorned with
attached red, white and blue electric lights and painted across it
were the words, "Dixon Welcomes Her Returning Heroes."
Bands from Sterling, Polo and Dixon furnished the music for the
great celebration which took place. One of the biggest hits of the
day were the 14 veterans of the Civil war which marched and carried
their weapons used in that war. At intervals during the parade they
would stop and fire volleys from their old rifles. Colonel Henry J.
Reilley of Chicago and the commander of 'Reilley's Bucks', a famous
Army artillery unit, was the featured speaker for the day.
Shortly after this first temporary arch was built, the Dixon
American Legion Post formed a Victory Memorial Arch Committee to
insure that a permanent structure was placed in Dixon. The committee
were given instructions by the membership to erect a "Permanent
memorial, sponsored by the American Legion Posts of Lee County, and
to be dedicated in solemn tribute to the unselfish sacrifices made by
the men and women in service."
Legion Posts of Ashton, Compton, Dixon, Franklin Grove and Paw
Paw all contributed to the erection of the permanent arch memorial.
The "Victory Memorial Arch" would later on have the inscription
changed to; "A grateful people pause in their welcome to the
victorious living to pay silent tribute to the illustrious dead" on
one side of the arch and, "Dixon honors and welcomes all who have
served," on the other
This wording was maintained for several years before being
painted over and substituted with the words, "Dixon" in bold letters
on either side. The arch would with occasional repainting of it stand
until 1949. It was during 1944 when once again a campaign was led to
replace the structure. It took almost five years to get substantial
donations to replace the arch with a concrete based wood and steel
one, built for approximately $ 8,000 which was dedicated on Armistice
Day, Nov. 11, 1949. This arch was dedicated to those who served in
World War 1 and 2 and gave their lives for their country. The steel
arch would also go through repaintings and some minor construction
repairs through the years, but would remain otherwise remain intact.
During 1965 the reconstruction and widening of Galena Avenue from
two to four lanes saw the War Memorial Arch being removed and
replaced again in January of 1966. This was now a wider span which
featured a re-done design, wiring and painting. Ceremonies dedicating
this arch were held during Memorial Day of 1966.
By 1979, the arch was again in need of repairs. Several of the
metal panels were to be replaced along with repairs to the neon
lighting and with a fresh painting. Rededication ceremonies took
place during the annual Petunia Days parade on July 1, 1979.
Only a short time span had gone by and it was now the summer of
1984 and the arch again showed signs of wear. The metal sheeting had
become warped and the threat of severe damage by water to the wooden
framework was suspected. On April 4, 1985 the arch was taken down for
repairs which would later show extensive deterioration to the
structure. A committee was once again selected to explore the
possibilities of a new arch. A fiberglass structure and a new design
was chosen.
The Illinois Department of Transportation had also notified the
committee that the new arch would have to be located some 145 feet
further south of the original location due to future plans calling
for a right turn lane off Galena Avenue onto Highway 2 and Second
Street. The D.O.T. bore the expense of tearing out the old bases of
the arch and constructing the new ones. The arch was once again
rededicated on Nov. 11, 1985.
And so it is, an arch that was originally placed to honor our
returning soldiers yet has remained as a symbol for almost 75 years,
to honor all men and women who have served in this nation's wars.
While many only refer to it as the "Dixon Arch", we must not lose
sight of its true purpose and for which it has stood all of these
years.
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