JOHNSTON CITY - Like so many towns in Southern Illinois, Johnston City was a vibrant community when coal was king. At its peak, the population was nearly double what it is today at 7,137 in 1920.

Information gleaned from "Glimpses of the Past" by Pearl Roberts and "The Magic of Egypt" by Nolan Macfarlane indicates B.F. Johnston, a railroad president, made plans for a straight rail line from Mount Vernon through Benton to Marion in 1893.

Johnston suggested Old Town or Shakerag should be moved west to be on the rail line. Land was subsequently purchased near the rail line, and the settlement was named Johnston City in honor of the railroad magnate.

In 1894 and 1895, some buildings were moved on rollers from Shakerag to Johnston City, and Johnston City Bank was organized.

A year later, Old Mine began operations in town and the community boomed. A newspaper - The Progress - became a staple; so did the Palace Theater.

The town's high school basketball team claimed the state championship in 1929, and a new gym was built at the school at a cost of $75,000 a year later.

The Great Depression led to the closing of the town's banks. A few years later, as many as 50 men from Johnston City were killed in World War II.

Fred Stritzel, now 96, has spent most of his life residing in Johnston City. The Abraham Lincoln look-alike is best known in the community for his frequent portrayal of America's 16th president.

"Abe was my favorite president, and I enjoyed dressing up like him for 33½ years," Stritzel said. "It was something for me to do after I retired."

Unable to complete his formal education because his father died at age 40 and he had to go to work as a teen to help support his family, Stritzel has led a somewhat difficult, yet productive life. He has worked at a farm, a saw mill, a grocery warehouse and in the coal mines before his retirement.

Stritzel said although he didn't go to high school, he was well-acquainted with the boys who made up the Indians basketball team that captured the state tournament title. He said he occasionally runs into Hubert Groves in town. Groves is the last living member of that team.

"I can remember when I was young that we had two theaters, three lumber yards and even a hospital where the funeral home (Murman and Wilson) is now," Stritzel said. "I also remember the mine riots in the 1920s that led to 'Bloody Williamson' and saw Charlie Birger pass by in his car. I never talked to him, though."

Stritzel said that while he spent some time in Chicago and Carbondale, the town of Johnston City has always been home for him.

"I feel comfortable here. I go up to Andresen's (Café) five days a week to eat and visit. The Lord's been good to me."

Dorothy Hughes is another longtime resident. She moved to Johnston City as a new bride in 1938 and never left.

"At first, I didn't like the town at all. It was like a ghost town back then," Hughes said. "But as we raised a family here and I got active in the community, I came to like the town more and more. I really like the people. There's just something special about living in a small town."

Hughes said some might think it's an inconvenience that too many people know your business in a small town; she considers it a plus.

"There are times when you want everyone to know your business," she said.

The former planning commission, school board and John A. Logan College Foundation member said she wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Mayor Richard Carter said he was born in nearby Stiritz and moved to Johnston City as a child in the 1950s. Away from the town for years after graduating from high school, Carter and his wife chose to retire in this north Williamson County community.

"The people here are good and friendly people," he said. "I've enjoyed being mayor here the last few years. All the feelings I have for Johnston City are positive."

Carter said the town's infrastructure is in fair shape but could use some upgrading as grants become available. He said the city's finances are not the best, but "we're keeping our head above water."

The mayor has been leading a charge to increase the town's population through annexation. The city council has approached residents in Whiteash and Stiritz about annexing into Johnston City.

"My objective is to see us grow," Carter said. "If we can increase our population to more than 5,000, we become eligible for additional state grants."

Carter added that First Bank has purchased the property west of town formerly known as the Roland Meadows par-three golf course.

"I understand they have an interested buyer who wants to build there," he said. "In time, I think our town will see great growth. It's just a matter of the economy improving."

john.homan@thesouthern.com

351-5805

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Johnston City became incorporated in 1896.

Although a rail line ran through town and farming was the main source of income initially, the coal mining industry was responsible for the city's rapid growth in the early 1900s.

The high school basketball team won the state title in 1929 and one of its players, Hubert Groves, 97, the only surviving member, still lives in town.