By Isabella Zarate
Nearly 150 years ago, just east of the Salt Fork River, travelers would find themselves stopping for a drink at Kelly’s Tavern. The tavern, once famous stomping grounds for a number of visitors (including former President Abraham Lincoln), was then owned by a man named Joseph Kelly.
Around 1856, as people began to settle the area, the tavern also became the post office, and Kelly, its postmaster. The post office was called St. Joseph.
Soon after, a number of other stores and businesses popped up and the village began forming into a community.
Thus, the town of St. Joseph was born.
Nearly a decade later, the railroad was established offering a more appealing place to live. The Village then followed the railroad as it moved onto the land where it sits today.
Over more than a century later, the town would come to endure many changes including a new location, numerous developments, and countless friendly faces.
This August, the town of St. Joseph will celebrate their 150 year anniversary.
In honor of the town’s growth and prosperity, there will be a number of celebrations to commemorate the milestone.
Celebrations will take place on Saturday, August 13, during this year’s annual Community Fest Weekend.
Amongst the numerous events taking place, attendees can expect a car show, a 5K, a dog show, and even the unveiling of a time capsule, as well as the burial of a new one.
Other activities include a firehouse pancake breakfast, a petting zoo, and a garden tractor pull.
There will even be a parade starting at 3 p.m. on Main Street and fireworks starting at dusk.
“People who live here love this community,” shared Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges.
