St. Joseph City Hall officially stepped back in time this past Friday, March 27, as officials opened a historic time capsule exactly 100 years after it was first sealed.
The event began with a formal rededication of the building’s cornerstone, conducted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, echoing the original ceremony held on March 27, 1926.
Inside the copper box, crews discovered a remarkably well-preserved snapshot of 1920s civic life. The contents featured a heavy emphasis on the local press, including copies of the St. Joseph Gazette, the News-Press, the Catholic Tribune, and the St. Joseph Observer. Beyond the headlines, the capsule held personal artifacts such as autographs, messages from citizens of the era, a 1926 telephone directory, and a pipe accompanied by a handwritten note.
The collection also provided a deep dive into the city's political and educational history. Items recovered included a "Vote for John Albus" campaign card, the pen used to sign the City Hall construction contract, and annual reports from then-Mayor Henry Grosser. Educational records were also well-represented through school district financial reports and a 1926 public school manual.
This ceremony marks the beginning of a year-long countdown to a double centennial for the city. Residents are preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversaries of two architectural landmarks next summer: the Missouri Theater, which opened on June 25, 1927, and City Hall, which followed shortly after on July 7, 1927.
For those interested in seeing these artifacts firsthand, the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. will be preparing a special exhibit. All items recovered from the cornerstone are scheduled to go on public display in the coming weeks.