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On May 11, 1972, during the Centennial Celebrations of the founding of Jacksonville, a time capsule was buried in City Park at the corner of Mail Street and Larissa Street. A monument marked the location of the capsule and inscribed on the monument were instructions that the capsule be opened during the Sesquicentennial celebrations of the founding of Jacksonville, 2022.
To ensure they could locate it on the day of the opening, the capsule was dug up on April 28, 2022 by city staff. It was found roughly five feet from the monument. Staff relocated the capsule to just in front of the monument, reburying it unopened.
On May 11, 2022, the capsule was opened in front of a crowd of over 200 and live-streamed on social media, exactly 50 years after it was buried. A list of the items found in the capsule along with photos of each item and a video of the event will be available on this site, on Facebook, and on YouTube soon. Links will be posted below.
Photos by: Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph
Below are the contents of the time capsule with descriptions of what each item is.
Brother of the Brush Button given to those who grew a beard for the Centennial Celebration in 1972.
Peddlers Permit Button given to those who participated in the Lying competition.
Kebe Radio station broadcast tape recording box from May 11, 1972.
Jacksonville, New Summerfield, and Rusk phone book from June, 1971.
Reserved Seating, General Admission, and Children's Admission tickets to the "Let's Call it Jacksonville" performance held in the Tomato Bowl in celebration of the Centennial.
Letter from Chamber President E. R. Gregg Jr. to the current President of the Chamber of Commerce. Please click on the image above to read it.
Jacksonville Brochure. Please click on it to see the inside pages of the brochure.
Jacksonville Centennial Pageant table tent advertisement.
Brothers of the Brush Certificate
Smoothies Club Certificate for those who didn't grow a beard for the Centennial Celebration.
Shaving Permit Button given to those who chose not to grow a beard for the Centennial Celebration.
Red and black garters worn by the Centennial Belles.
Kebe Radio station broadcast tape recording from May 11, 1972.
Jacksonville Centennial Book
Business Card for Duane Farris, Minister of the First Presbyterian Church.
Letter from Cherokee County Judge Orvan B. Jones to the current County Judge. Please click on the image above to read it.
"Let's Call it Jacksonville" Program
Jacksonville Former Citizen Certificate awarded at the centennial celebration to those who came but no longer lived in town.
John Trout's Centennial Name tag and Newspaper Clipping.
Jacksonville Centennial Corporation Stock
Centennial Belle Button
Jacksonville Centennial Bow Tie presumably worn in the hair of Centennial Belles.
May 11, 1972 Jacksonville Daily Progress Newspaper. If you want a closer look, you can come see it at the Museum.
The Drumbeat Newspaper published May 5, 1972 by the Jacksonville Senior High School.
"Let's Call it Jacksonville" performance poster.
Letter from Mayor Philip Pavletich to the current City Council.
"Let's Call it Jacksonville" Poster
Pioneer Recognition Certificate awarded to those who had lived in Jacksonville for more than 50 years.
Centennial Belles Certificate
Little Shaver Certificate