A large crowd welcomed the return of a shelter house at Fort Kaskaskia State Park near Chester Oct. 24, replacing one destroyed by a fire of undetermined origin on Oct. 31, 2012.
Randolph County Commissioner Marc Kiehna served as master of ceremonies for the event. Site Superintendent Chester Wingerter, who has been involved in the project from start to finish, lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Deacon Al DuBois of St. Mary Catholic Church in Ellis Grove offered a blessing. Other offerings were given by Chris Martin, economic development director, and Emily Lyons of the Randolph County Historical Society.
Immediately following the 2012 fire, a fund was established at Buena Vista National Bank in Chester under the auspices of the historical society. A total of $17,000 was raised over time. In the spring of 2018, the Community Foundation of Randolph County began new efforts to raise additional funding to pay for reconstruction, through private and organizational donations, with an estimated goal of at least $75,000. Shortly thereafter the Rauner Family Foundation pledged $50,000 toward the goal and work on the shelter house began in early summer.
Kiehna stated that the Fort Kaskaskia park and its shelter house is a very emotional place for area residents, due to long held memories of activities held there through the years. He shared a history of the site, stating that the first idea for the original shelter house came from the Chester Woman's Club and president Miss Minnie Adams in June, 1937. Unfortunately, the plans did not come to fruition at that time, but gained momentum and were revised in 1940. The structure was built by the WPA at a cost of just under $15,000, with a dedication of that first shelter house on Oct. 18, 1942. Kiehna praised the efforts of Greg Birchler, lead contractor with Gateway F.S., and Quadrant Design, Randolph County's architectural firm in seeing the shelter house project through to completion. Much effort has gone into seeing that the new structure is as close as possible in design to the original shelter house. The new structure features updated electricity and interior lighting.
The featured speaker was Gov. Bruce Rauner, who also cut the ceremonial red ribbon at the conclusion of the event. "Illinois is a great state because of its people and its beautiful places," Gov. Rauner said. "This place, right here in Randolph County, could be the prettiest place in the state, perhaps in the country."
Following the ribbon cutting, an Aa cappella rendition of the song "Illinois" was presented by Steve Colonel.
