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1868 - John Bowman begins serving one year term as mayor. First building and loan association established by John Bowman.Vandalia & Terre Haute Railroad is completed to East St. Louis. The opening is celebrated with a free all-day excursion to Highland for those who wish to go. The Illinois legislature typically grants 100 feet of right-of-way along with the option to purchase private property when necessary through eminent domain. There will be many battles between landowners and the railroads. Following the example of other railroads, the Vandalia builds it own wooden water tank and fills in its depot grounds with dirt to raise them above ordinary high water. James B. Eads reaches bedrock and lays the first 3,000 pound foundation stone for the western pier. The first Board of Trade is established. St. Aloysius College, a school for boys, is built by Father Zabell, just east of St. Patrick's church. This building later becomes the office of The Messenger, the official publication of the Belleville Diocese. East St. Louis gets its own post office. Prior to this, letters coming to the city went to St. Louis first, then were carried back across the river for delivery. The long expected roadway opens connecting Christy Avenue with Missouri Avenue across the slough, in effect extending Missouri Avenue in a straight line to Front Street. The upper ferry landing was built under John Bowman Who had recently replaced J. B. Lovingston as mayor. The road becomes known as Bowman's Dike.
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