Scott City ready to party for centennial

Figuring out the exact date of Scott City's birthday anniversary is more complicated than looking for a birth certificate. The town's roots are embedded in several communities that a century ago had their own identities.

As a result, Scott City is launching centennial celebrations that will extend into 2004. This is because platting of the towns that were combined into Scott City -- Ancell, Edna and Illmo -- occurred in both 1903 and 1904.

An exhibit of historical memorabilia opened recently at the Schock Community Arts Center, which is the hub of many of the centennial events.

An arts and crafts market sponsored by the Scott City Chamber of Commerce opens at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Schock Community Arts Center, followed by the Parks and Recreation Department's Halloween Parade at 10 a.m. near the Assembly of God Church.

A centennial ball is slated for Saturday night at the center

One event planned for next year is a reunion of "boxcar children" who grew up in boxcars used as housing -- a direct link to Scott City's railroad roots. Among those who had a boxcar for a home was Manny Jackson, owner of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Scott City has much to be proud of and certainly has good reason to party as the town marks its centennial milestone.