Welcome Center displays to highlight Chester history
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A second informational kiosk will be located near the door to the deck at the new Chester Welcome Center. This 4-sided kiosk will highlight the history of Chester and facts about the mighty Mississippi River. One side of the display will feature old photos of Chester, the riverfront and text about the history of Chester. This information will include the founding of Chester, the growth and relocation of the town's business area, and a summary of the early town industries.
Images of the devastating floods of the mighty Mississippi, a chronological list of significant floods and text describing these floods will be featured on another side of this kiosk. The history of the working Mississippi River, both past and present, will be included on the remaining kiosk displays. Images of historic keelboats, paddleboats, steamboats and the former Chester Ferry will be displayed and described. Photos of the current river transportation including the Kaskaskia Lock and Dam site will be displayed as the historical and current significance of the Mississippi River is explained. Racks to hold brochures featuring information on local and area sites will also be included on this attractive kiosk.
The information for each of the featured displays at the Welcome Center is being researched, gathered, written and edited by local volunteers before being designed by Sign Solutions, Inc. The public area of the Chester Welcome Center is now open to visitors during the day and is currently staffed by volunteers on a limited schedule. Western Egyptian RSVP volunteers will soon be working at the Center daily. Anyone interested in volunteering at the Chester Welcome Center is asked to call the Western Egyptian RSVP office (965-9523) or the Mayor's office (826-5114) to be added to the list. The City of Chester appreciates the generosity of all the volunteers to staff the Center and to gather and write the information to be included on the displays.