ANOTHER BIG GALA WAS HELD FOR 175TH

Research that had moved the naming of Jackson back from 1815 to 1814, led to just a 24-year interval between the city's 150th (Sesquicentennial) anniversary in 1965 and its 175th gala in 1989.

Like its predecessor, the 1989 event was a big one, spread throughout most of the year. Like the 1965 event, it kicked off on Andrew Jackson's birthday, March 15, including the burying of the razor. Dogwood seedlings were delivered in April and a 175th headquarters opened May 1.

Sharon MacPherson, curator of research at the Hermitage meanwhile, was speaker at the annual Chamber of Commerce Installation Banquet, June 26.

Unlike 1965, the biggest events took place July 4. A "Woman of Distinction" award for a woman over 55 was given. Vera Wagner won the award. The queen contest, in which Stacy Schlegal was crowned 175th anniversary celebration queen, ahead of first runner-up Shelly Conrad and second runner-up Aimee Parenteau, was another big event. Little Miss Jackson and Little Miss Fourth of July contests and a beard contest were all held. Beard winners included Lee Roy Brown, most unique; Jeff McClanahan, most bizarre; Carl Talley, neatest; and John Fred Hartle, best overall.

Tom Schulte was chairman of the Anniversary Committee.

A booklet was put out, with Sara Scheper winning the Anniversary Logo Contest, for the cover design. Dr. Alberta Macke Dougan, professor of history at Southeast Missouri State University and a Jackson native, wrote a history of the city, which appeared in the booklet, along with numerous historic and contemporary photos.

The city's next big celebration will be its Bicentennial in 2014.