100 years and growing

100 years and growing

Walgreens, the nation's foremost drug store chain, opened its doors in Chicago's Barrett Hotel in 1901. Its founder, C. R. Walgreens Sr., was a veteran of the Spanish American war and registered pharmacist. His first store was fifty feet long and twenty feet wide, and sold vegetable tonics, perfumes, and various household products. Today there are more than 1,400 Walgreen stores and 45,000 Walgreen employees in the U.S. and its territories, making it truly the "Pharmacist to the Nation."

Every very year since 1985, the 103-year-old Illinois State Historical Society has honored century-old Illinois businesses and not-for-profit organizations through its Centennial Awards Program. Last October the Society hosted the Centennial Awards Banquet at Chicago's Palmer House hotel and gave out 37 awards, each winner receiving a plaque inscribed by Governor George Ryan and ISHS President Rand Rurnette. For more information about the program or to receive a Centennial Award application, visit our web site at www.historyillinois.org, or call us at 217-525-2781.

Sheet Metal Union President Stanley Karczynski receives a Centennial Award plaque from ISHS President Rand Burnette.

Sheet Metal Workers' Union Local 73 of Chicago began in 1892 with a different name and a narrower focus: the International Association of Tin and Sheet Iron Cornice and Skylight Workers. The Amalgamated Sheet Workers' International Association organized in 1896, and Local 73 joined seven years later. Since then this brotherhood has grown with the city it helped build, establishing a fine tradition of craftsmanship unrivaled in the state.

National Manufacturing Company of Sterling, a resilient hardware design and production company, is home to 2,250 employees in three countries, and enjoys global annual sales of more than $200 million. WIth new plants in Saskatchewan and Mexico, National's presence in the marketplace promises good things for Illinois as it continues to dominate America's independent hardwood manufacturing industry.

The first meeting of The Club took place on September 12, 1861, in Jacksonville. Since then, this private, not-for-profit social organization has met biweekly to debate and discuss hundreds of social and political issues, from states' rights to world affairs. members include college professors, doctors, lawyers, bankers, teachers, businessmen, and others who share an interest in reasoned discourse and stimulating conversation

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The Weber Medical Clinic, formerly the Olney Sanitarium, welcomed its first patient in the fall of 1898. Founded by Dr. George T. Weber, the Sanitarium originally occupied the historic Arlington Hotel building in Olney. Soon after, Dr. Weber took as partners his three younger brothers—Drs. Frank, James, and Joseph—who, with their two sisters, nurses Catherine and Philomena Weber—carried the Sanitarium far into the last century. Today the clinic, now a multi-specialty, out-patient facility— continues to serve Olney and Richland County in a state-of-the art facility.

The Francis W. Parker School, an independent, Chicago day school serving students in kindergarten though 12th grade, opened its doors in 1901 to 180 eager students. Since then it has continued to cultivate a vibrant, diverse educational community, empowering students to act as vigorous, responsible citizens in our democracy and in the world. Citizenship, character development, emphasis on life-long learning, and constructive participation in society are the fabric of the Progressive Parker Educational system.

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