The City of Delavan has taken a step to celebrate its rich history by awarding honorary street names to four distinguished local figures whose contributions have shaped the town's legacy. During a city council meeting on April 1st, the council unanimously voted to dedicate the signs, which will serve as enduring tributes to the honorees' remarkable impacts on the community.

The first honoree is Glenn Allen, a farmer and philanthropist remembered for his generosity and dedication to enhancing Delavan’s community spaces. Allen funded the walking path at Lake Park, sponsored free summer band concerts in Veterans Park, helped establish the Delavan Historical Society, and financed the purchase and renovation of the Colony House. In his honor, the intersection of First and Elm Streets will now feature the sign “Glenn Allen Way.”

Another prominent figure is Justice John Culbertson, who began his legal career in Delavan in 1916 before ascending to become a judge. Culbertson achieved a historic milestone in Illinois, serving at every level of the state judiciary, including the Tazewell County Court, Circuit Court, Appellate Court, and Illinois Supreme Court. The honorary sign “Justice John T. Culbertson Avenue” will be placed at Third and Dickey Streets, near his former residence in Delavan.

Major General Albert Culbertson, another honoree, had a distinguished military career, serving on the General Staff of the U.S. War Department and as Assistant Chief of the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he oversaw the construction of fifteen Illinois armories, including the Delavan Armory, and served as Delavan’s mayor from 1927 to 1929. In recognition of his service, the corner of Third and Pine Streets, where the Armory stands, will bear the honorary name “Major General Albert L. Culbertson Drive.”

Lastly, the city recognized James Reid, a pioneer in agricultural innovation, for developing Reid’s Yellow Dent Corn. His groundbreaking work created a hardy and high-yield corn variety, which once accounted for 75% of all corn planted in the United States. Today, nearly all corn cultivated has roots tracing back to Reid’s Yellow Dent.

Mayor Liz Skinner spearheaded the initiative, emphasizing the importance of honoring Delavan’s historical figures. “There are many, many more people, I think, in the coming years that can be honored… but I thought this would be a good start,” she said.

The honorary street names are a testament to Delavan’s commitment to celebrating its past while inspiring future generations to take pride in the town’s legacy.