musical film Don't Give Up the Ship gave inspiration to local high school students in writing the Staunton High School fight song Don't Give Up the Fight. The first Monday of each month the Miners Union held their meeting there. The other Mondays could be booked for graduations, dramatic or musical productions by local groups, speakers, etc. Upstairs were toilet facilities, several small conference or committee meeting rooms, and a large hall where lodges met and dances and receptions could be held. (Source 1) The last coal mine in Staunton closed in 1951. 20th century Early 1900s: Staunton starts to look like what we recognize today Staunton continued to grow in the 20th century. Many of the buildings that make up what is now downtown Staunton were built around the turn of the 20th century. 1904: Illinois Traction System passes through Staunton 1910: Staunton achieves a population of 5,049 (the biggest city in Macoupin County at that time). A real estate ad taken from the Staunton Star-Times on October 14, 1907, urges citizens to buy land quickly, as "Staunton will become a city of 15,000 people in five years' time and every lot in McKinley Addition will double or triple in value". (source 2) 1913: Staunton Public Library established (the first librarian was Bess Kirkwood) 1918: Staunton experiences two days of mob vigilantism resulting in two men being tarred and feathered and hundreds made to kiss the American flag and sign loyalty pledges. 1922: Staunton Country Club established 1923: Staunton Volunteer Fire Department established 1923: Staunton football team goes 10-0 (including a state record victory of 233–0 over future rival Gillespie after one half of play) 1925: Staunton Community High School built 1925: Staunton's population (unofficially) reaches 6,600 (all-time high) 1927: Lake Staunton (known by locals as "The Rezzy") built for $230,000 1946: Community Memorial Hospital Association organized (building dedicated in 1951) 1956: Illinois Traction System runs its last passenger train through Staunton 1956: Interstate 55 built east of Staunton (led to the decline of Route 66) 1959: Staunton celebrates the one-hundredth anniversary of village incorporation The Centennial Celebration lasted from June 28 through July 4, 1959, and included games, a parade, and concessions. One interesting happening was the "Judging of the Beards", or the "Brothers of the Brush" contest, in which members of the community grew long beards to show respect and to honor those of past generations. (source