VINCENT - An impressive downpour wasn't enough to dampen the spirit of celebration among the people of Vincent. The town celebrated its quasquicentennial anniversary Saturday with community events and festivities.
"Today is about recognizing that this town has survived for 125 years," Jean Gallogly, committee chair said. "With small town, rural communities, the towns keep getting smaller and smaller, and this town is small, but it still is thriving. It's a small-town atmosphere in a rural community. We're just taking the day to celebrate that we're still here."
According to Gallogly, the town has an interesting here.
"Back when it was established in 1887, this was a booming town," she said. "It started with the railroad and, of course, the elevator."
From those humble beginnings, the town grew, Gallogly said.
"Before vehicles were in the mix, there were several businesses in town because people couldn't travel very far for what they needed," she said. "We found, after doing research, there were two grocery stores, a bank, a general store, a theater. There was a doctor in town. There was a farm implement dealership. There was, of course, a post office. So this town was really a booming town back in the early 1900s."
Gallogly said she enjoys history. Working with her daughter, Heather Armstead, she collected information for the day and for a memorabilia room, showcasing the town's history to share with its people.
"We really found it fascinating," she said.
In the memorabilia room, lifelong resident Mary Elizabeth Morton found a picture of the house she grew up in with her nine siblings. In the first decade of the 1900s, it was a church.
"I would dance from one end to the other," she reminisced. "It's just marvelous, because I grew up there. This town was a wonderful place to grow up."
Gallogly worked to illustrate the town's century-and-a-quarter-long history through its residents and descendants.
"Our goal was to try and contact people that have been and lived here all there lives," she said. "We were able to do that. It's really been rewarding to talk to these people, and amazing how much they remember from years back."
Vincent today is a "quiet community," Gallogly said.
"That's why we moved here. It's a nice family-oriented area. A great place for families to grow, a great rural community," she said. "Although our businesses are definitely dwindling, we still have a nice base here."
While rain canceled a firefighters barrel fight was canceled because of rain, as well as the dunk tank with Mayor John Fransen (it became redundant), a kids' carnival was still held in the community hall and that evening a street dance was scheduled.
"I think it's been fun," Michel Fransen, city clerk and co-organizer, said. "I'm really surprised about the turnout. I was really nervous about how many people were going to show up, especially with this unexpected weather."
Events continue today with a fireman's breakfast at 8 a.m., and a time capsule recovery ceremony at 11:45 a.m.