St. Joseph City officials open 100-year-old City Hall time capsule, plans new one for 2027

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- The City of St. Joseph opened a century-old time capsule at City Hall on Friday evening.

Friday, March 27 marks 100 years since the time capsule was placed building’s cornerstone back in March 27, 1926.

The event began with a formal cornerstone rededication ceremony conducted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The ceremony was led by Emmett J. Bryson, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

The time capsule was opened inside of City Hall and held multiple newspapers, city addresses, a telephone directory, a note for the mayor, a pen used for signing city hall contracts and more.

St. Joseph Mayor, John Josendale said the historical event was really exciting for those in attendance and those participating in the celebration.

"Number one, just to know that it was there and it was put together a 100 years ago and none of these materials we had no idea what was going be in it. I think we had seven or eight newspapers and a note to the mayor from the mayor back then," he said. "Just all the items that were in was exciting to see. We're already trying to find out different history about the building and what was around it at the time."

Josendale what it was like to be able to receive special items that were left for him, being the current mayor, from 1926 Mayor Henry E. Grosser.

"Giving me a corn cob pipe and have a smoke on me. We kind of laugh about it, it's corn cob pipe so that's what they used back then. Then there's a pen that the contract was actually signed with," he said. "There's a guest book of who was all here. Seeing some of the names and things that are in it just makes it really exiting."

Josendale said July 2027 will mark 100 years of City Hall's existence, as well as the Missouri theater. To celebrate the city plans to put together a new time capsule.

"With some of the old, some new. Then reburied the time capsule for another 100 years ," he said.

Josendale said the city wants the next time capsule to reflect what represents St. Joseph today.

"What are the items we have now that really come along because when you think about 100 years ago the items that they thought were common we don't even think about now. We'll have to spend some time to come out with the right things," he said.

All the items inside the time capsule will be displayed at the St. Joseph Museum.