CHARLESTON — On Thursday, October 22, families, friends, and ladies from the Family Worship Center, Women of Faith study group led by Mary Pollum gathered at the Family Worship Center in Charleston to celebrate the birthday of Violet Lorraine Kiest (10/24/17- 3/10/18). The women’s group wanted to find positive acts to help the family and friends find positive meaning during this difficult time. This year Violet would be turning three years old.
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Recognize these photos of Charleston's past?
Water Supply Shortage
1940: Lifted from a pool in the Embarras River east of town, this six-inch stream from an emergency pump brought from St. Louis was being depended upon by Charleston to replenish the dwindling reserve in the city's intake reservoir.Â
Movie theater
1983: The Will Rogers theater has movie-goers line up early at these prices. The theater reopened after several months.Â
High School
1928: new Charleston High School on Jan. 13, 1928.Â
Haunted mansion
1991: An old oval photo shows the Charleston mansion long ago.Â
Food Pantry
1990: Volunteer Edith Roberts, chairman Mike Strader and volunteer Shirley Ensler have lots to do at the Charleston Food Pantry.
Downtown Renovations
1984: Rick Childers (left), Bruce Deitz and Mark Witt plant a tree in downtown Charleston as part of streetscape renovations.Â
Country Club
1952: A large brown shingled clubhouse is the center of most activity at the Charleston Country club. The club is located three miles west of Charleston on route 16 and is open the year round.
Community Memorial Hospital
1957: Open house is being held in this new Charleston Community Memorial Hospital. Patients are to move in from Montgomery Hospital. The new structure, which can hold a maximum 54 bed patients, was built at a cost of about $750,000 and was financed by gifts from the public. The fund campaign was started off by a $50,000 donation. The site was also turned over to the Chamber of Commerce which has been a leader in community efforts to obtain a new hospital.
Coles County Daily Times
1966: Coles County Daily Times near the square in Charleston.Â
Ashmore Estate Psychiatric Hospital
1961: Ashmore Estates Psychiatric Hospital grand opening attracted more than 3,300 persons. Tours were conducted at the facility which adjoins Illinois 16 between Charleston and Ashmore. The hospital is set up to accommodate 25 patients. Eventually it is expected to have a staff of 30 to 35 persons.Â
