The community of Moline will celebrate its sesquicentennial all day Saturday, Sept. 17, near what was formerly regarded as its downtown.
Moline’s business district no longer exists, but it once was home to the Moline State Bank, Dave’s Variety Store, a post office and Moline Locker. Over the years, most businesses have moved north and south on the U.S.-131 expressway and closer to Division, once referred to as old U.S.-131.
The day marking the community’s 150th birthday will include music by local folk-gospel artist Luke Lenhart, a craft show, car show, petting zoo, cornhole tournament, food trucks and sales of Moline Sesquicentennial T-shirts.
Neighboring Wayland celebrated its 150th birthday in 2018, and Moline marks its beginnings from 1872, observing its centennial in 1972. Some of the reports of the 100th birthday, taken from the Wayland Globe in 1972 at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr:
• Moline Centennial Executive Committee members Mrs. Carl DeHaan, Pete DeKraker, George Whitcomb, Jim Westhouse, Harold Ritz, Mrs. David Blok and Victor Fleser have been developing plans for the community’s 100-year celebration June 16 and 17. Included in plans are a beard contest, arts and crafts exhibits, farm produce displays, costume contests and a queen contest.
• Moline will begin its centennial celebration next Sunday with a church service and Monday with the crowning of the queen.
• The Moline Barber Shop is sponsoring a beard contest for the Moline Centennial celebration later next year.
• Sandy Snyder, 15, won first place in the Moline Centennial Talent Show with a baton twirling routine.
Mrs. Albert Haveman was selected senior queen for the Moline Centennial celebration and Linda Ratering was chosen junior queen.
• The Ladies Aid Society of Moline Christian is sponsoring Mattie Faber, 68, as a candidate for Moline Centennial Queen.
• Mrs. Albert Haveman was photographed in period attire as one of the contestants for Moline Centennial Queen. She is the former Vera Nevins.
• The Globe ran a photo of the Moline Centennial Committee, which included Mrs. Wayne Ritz, Merland Pepper, Pete DeKraker, Mrs. DeHaan, Jim Westhouse and George Whitcomb.
