American’s 150th Birthday: 100 Years Ago

As we prepare to celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is always informative to look at these milestone occasions as they have unfolded locally. Whether it is national or a commemoration of local history, Barrington residents have always stepped out to add another chapter to that history.

Plans for July 4 in 1926 had been enthusiastically heralded by the Barrington Review which carried the headline: “LOCAL PATRIOTS GATHER TO CELEBRATE THE NATION’S BIRTHDAY–Barrington Has Big Independence Day Celebration” written in its July 8, 1926, Edition.

“It looked as if the entire population of the community had gathered in the hills above Hawthorne Lake, a sheet of silvery water sparkling and flashing in the valley below like a gem reflecting a sun beam.”

“It was a wonderful day, fitted to the occasion and at its conclusion everyone had a word of praise for Barrington Post of the America Legion under whose auspices the celebration was given.”

The venue was at Hawthorne Lake, the first of the lakes off Otis Road; in those days mostly an area of woods and fields described on some maps as Hawthorne Hills. 

Headline activities included an orator, Colonel Albert R. Barnes, executive
director of the American Citizenship Foundation, and the past president of the Military Intelligence Association. His speech, according to one headline, “Extolled the Ideals of the American Nation” and won applause from his audience.

 Due to an oversight in scheduling, the start of the much-anticipated baseball game coincided with some of Colonel Barnes speech and split the audience.                 

An Entertaining Afternoon

From the Review: “This same baseball game between the Lions and the Legionnaires proved to be one of the stellar attractions of the afternoon, and before its conclusion the “chesty Lions outfit,” as one of the opposing players characterized them, has grown quite tame, and their growls had subsided to an almost indistinguishable murmur.”

“After weeks of overconfidence” the Review’s reporter wrote “the local Lions were much surprised by their Legion opponents, who played real Baseball. The Lions, all carrying plenty of surplus beef—some well over the 200 mark, could not stand the intense heat. There was more colorful words about the game which ended with an 8-to-2 victory for the Legionnaires.”

The afternoon was described as providing plenty of entertainment on grounds that resembled a three-ring circus. There were concessions for refreshments “while others found their fortunes at some of the games provided for their enjoyment.” The report went on to say that in the late afternoon and evening hours young people found pleasure on the open-air dance platform with the aid of peppy music.

“Promptly at 4 o’clock, exactly 150 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, that historic document was read to the assembled campers and visitors.”

When darkness fell, hundreds of people were seated on the hillside facing the lake, and hundreds more were in cars along the roadside of the lake. “They spent a pleasurable hour watching the colorful display of fireworks. Set off on the opposite side of the lake in the vicinity of the Barrington Gun Club, the effectiveness of this feature was greatly enhanced by the dancing reflections of the varied-colored lights, the rockets, and the set pieces on the shimmering waters of the lake.” Truly a Glorious Fourth.

These charming antique ads appeared in the July 1, 1926, Barrington Review to advertise the sale of fireworks to the public at “rock bottom prices” at Schroeder’s Hardware, located at Cook and Station Streets. You could also buy fireworks at Pohlman’s Pharmacy in town along with flags and car decorations. The sale of fireworks became illegal in Illinois with the passing of the 1942 Pyrotechnic Use Act.