Historical Trolley Tour of Manito

Ever wondered where some of the old businesses were located in Manito? Do you know the history behind some of our historic homes and the prominent people who lived there? What about Oak Grove Cemetery and little Mary Cox? As part of the Sesquicentennial Celebration the Manito Historical Society and the Sesquicentennial Committee is sponsoring a Historical Tour of Manito. This information along with many other Manito tidbits will be narrated to you from a historical society member while you relax and ride the trolley around town. Tours will be from 12 Noon-4pm on the hour on Saturday, August 30th at the Manito Popcorn Festival. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $2 at Manito Community Bank. If any of the four times are not filled in advance, tickets will be available at the Historical Society Booth in the park on Saturday. This is a great opportunity to give your feet a rest, learn something about historic Manito, or take a ride down memory lane.

Antique Crocheted Bedspread Raffle

An approximately 100 year old crocheted bedspread will be raffled throughout the Sesquicentennial year by the Manito Historical Society. The bedspread has Manito history as the woman who made it, Mrs. Flora Sparks, spent most of her life in Manito. Flora (Rector) Sparks was born in 1862 in Missouri and was married to Harbird “Hobbs” Sparks at Manito in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks were the parents to Dr. Joseph Sparks. Flora worked for a few years in Peoria as a governess to a family on Moss Avenue. The rest of her adult life was spent in Manito working for families when there was illness or new babies born. Flora passed away in 1945 at the age of 82 years old. The story is told that she won the contest for naming Meadow Lawn Cemetery as well as the plot where she is buried today. This beautiful queen sized bedspread was made in the early part of the century making it approximately 100 years old. The Historical Society will have the bedspread on display at all Historical Society and Sesquicentennial events. Get your raffle tickets for your chance to win a beautiful piece of Manito History Saturday, August 30, at the Popcorn Festival. The drawing will be in December.