6/3/99
By Fred Koenig
Courier-Post Staff Writer

The design of an historical marker to pay tribute to the town Ilasco once was has been completed by a local architect, making the construction of the marker one significant step closer to becoming a reality.

The town of Ilasco once had a population of 2,000, and a thriving cement manufacturing industry. Now it only has four homes, two churches, an old jail and a building that once housed Al's tavern and Stephen's store. Several people have recently started working toward establishing an historical marker for the town.

Michael Kettelkamp, a Hannibal architect, donated his time and skills to design the historical marker.

"We asked him about the project, thinking we would employ him, and he said he would do it for free," said Sally Polc, who has been helping coordinate the efforts to get an historical marker in Ilasco. Kettelkamp said he found the work rewarding.

"It was fun, which made it easy to do the work without a fee," he said.

This won't be the first historical market that Kettelkamp has designed. He also designed an award-winning war memorial for Nokomis, Ill.

Kettelkamp was impressed that more than 400 people turned out for the fund raising dinner for the marker that was recently held in Ilasco.

"Seeing that many people involved makes the historical marker seem very worthwhile," he said.

Donations are being sought for the historical marker. People who donate $100 or more will have their names engraved on the back of the Georgia Gray granite stone that serves as the marker.

The stone will have a plaques that tell how the town of Ilasco was started, and the story of its decline.

"It will be sort of an epitaph," Polc said.

In addition to the stone there will be site beatifications made, including a sidewalk, flowers and low shrubs.

Arla Rodenbaugh grew up on a farm just a few miles from Ilasco. Her family history with the town dates back to when her grandfather immigrated from Italy. She has been active in trying to help establish the marker, and is looking forward to the dedication ceremony, which is tentatively scheduled for sometime in October.

"We thought that would be the prettiest time of the year, and have the best chance for good weather," Rodenbaugh said.