Belleville Township High School - Bellevinois Yearbook (Belleville, IL)

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The REPUBLICAN HOUSE G EORGE BLAIR erected the first private mansion in the city of Belleville. This mansion was a hotel, and was called the Repub¬ lican House. It was built in the summer of 1814. In 1862 Ex-Governor John Reynolds wrote of this hotel in his History of Belleville.” He says, “Blair s mansion is to this day stand¬ ing erect, in defiance of time and want of paint, on the south east corner of Illinois and South Second streets. The walls of this vener¬ able house are composed of large hewn logs, laid horizontal and weather-boarded over. It is two stories high, and had but two rooms below when it was first built, so far as I recollect.” “I was always a guest of Mr. Blair’s hotel, when there was no other; and I can testify that the landlord was blessed with a good nature and a benevolent spirit; but mine hostess’ was pretty much the reverse of her husband, as the truth of history will not permit me to call him her lord and master’ ' I he Republican House” was situated upon the present location of the Junior High School.

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DEDICATION To MR. F. J. FRIEDLI Our ever-understanding teacher and incomparable basketball coach THIS BOOK Is Affectionately T)edicated T y Thf Class of 19 M

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Republican House 200 South Illinois Street » CONTENTS