Mayor Andy Ezard talks about a time capsule of Jacksonville’s history during a Tuesday evening burial ceremony. Tuesday’s burial of the capsule was delayed, though the ceremony went on.
Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier
Plans to bury Jacksonville’s bicentennial time capsule has been delayed after city workers found an unmarked, live electrical line in Central Park Plaza.
No public announcement was made about the burial being rescheduled, but the ceremony continued mostly as planned to celebrate the time capsule’s sealing.
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The original plan was to pre-dig a hole at the southeast corner of the downtown square before the ceremony, Mayor Andy Ezard said.
“But Friday, (plaza maintenance Superintendent) John Green started the process and he came very close to a electric line that was unmarked that went through that area,” Ezard said. “We’re very happy John didn’t get hurt. And you know, we unearthed an issue right away. But instead of canceling, we wanted to keep the event going today.”
The location for where the bicentennial time capsule now will be buried is not finalized, but Ezard and Ginny Fanning, who is on the bicentennial committee, both said it likely will be at the Municipal Building at 200 W. Douglas Ave.
Alderman Joe Lockman looks at items that will be sealed in Jacksonville’s bicentennial time capsule.
Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier
“There’s a very good chance this time capsule will now be buried around the Municipal Building to alleviate a lot of the issues underground that we weren’t aware of,” Ezard said.
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A time capsule buried on the northeast corner of the downtown square during Jacksonville’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1975 was dug up in 2025, though the process was complicated by the marker having been moved at some point during the square’s renovations over the ensuing years.
After the capsule was located, it was unearthed and opened by a small group of city employees and bicentennial committee members, who cited safety concerns for not making it a public occasion.
During the portion of the burial ceremony that continued, Ezard signaled that the public likely will be invited to the new time capsule’s burial.
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“We can do a quick social media push the day of, when it’s actually going down, if people want to drive back by to see it actually being buried,” Ezard said. “(People) are more than welcome. We’re an open book at City Hall, come and see us.”
Some of the items that will be sealed in Jacksonville’s bicentennial time capsule sit on a table.
Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier
Some of the items to be sealed in Jacksonville’s bicentennial time capsule are on display before being sealed away.
Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier
What’s in the new time capsule?
A couple dozen people attended Tuesday evening’s ceremony on the northwest corner of the downtown square. Tables were set up in the stage area, filled with archival-grade plastic bags and envelopes that will be included in the time capsule, which is to be opened in 2075.
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After the ceremony, everything was packed up and taken to a city-owned building north of the fire station. It will stay there until a suitable spot for burial is found.
Ginny Fanning, chair of the city’s time capsule committee, said a marker already has been made by Rex Vault, which also made the capsule.
“The thing that I found so interesting from the last one (time capsule), as I mentioned, was the (restaurant) menus,” Fanning said. “The prices, the selection, what they were offering, and I think they (future residents) will enjoy taking a look at that.”
Davis Tighe, son of Jacksonville Main Street Executive Director Judy Tighe, said he didn’t put anything in the time capsule but still felt it was important to attend the ceremony.
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“I like the idea of time capsules really capturing the memorabilia that people valued at the time and wanted sealed away for a future generation to take a look at,” he said.
On the tables behind Tighe were bags filled with bicentennial souvenirs — T-shirts, a keepsake book of Jacksonville’s history, buttons, etc. — school memorabilia, a license plate and a copy of the Journal-Courier’s special section celebrating the city’s bicentennial.
On the ground next to the tables was a black tub filled with stacks of letters written by residents and organizations. Susan Weller said she helped two organizations, Esprit de Corps Academy and Jacksonville Symphony Society, get their letters submitted.
“The Jacksonville Symphony … 50 years ago had a very nice packet of stuff, and it was kind of fun to see what they thought was important and who the people were that were being very active in the organization 50 years ago,” Weller said.
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Jeremy Coumbes (left) and Mayor Andy Ezard talk Tuesday during a celebration for the city’s new time capsule.
Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier
Jeremy Coumbes, lodgemaster for Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 3, said he helped make sure letters were left by the lodge and Zingabad Grotto, which are the last two Masonic organizations in town.
“We have letters from each body and a member roster and a number of pictures and some other information for the members of those two organizations,” Coumbes said. “It’s our gift to them in the future.”
Eagle Scout Christopher Hembrough, 17, who attended the ceremony with his troop for the flag ceremony at the beginning, said he didn’t really know about the event until Scouts were asked to participate.
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Mayor Andy Ezard talks to those attending a ceremony for the planned burial of Jacksonville’s bicentennial time capsule, though the burial has been delayed.
Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier
During his speech, Ezard turned to the Scouts and implored them to be involved when the time capsule is unearthed in 50 years.
“Some of you guys will remember this moment, and I hope you’re here for this and say, ‘Hey, I was part of this,'” Ezard said. “So please — I know it’s hard when you’re young, but do remember some stuff, OK? And just remember your roots, where you came from, Jacksonville, and that it’s a great place to grow up, and we’re always going to be here for you.”