The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce was organized on April 3, 1914. The first elected officers were Charles Evans, president; Herbert Sonneman, vice president; and N.C. Gochenour, secretary-treasurer.

Charter members included the 13 people present at the first meeting: Mayor C.A. Janett, Judge George T. Turner, J.V. Waddell, Joseph C. Burtschi, Ira D. Lakin, P.T. Denny, J.S. Ritter, Nathan Levin, H.H. Sonnemann, J.S. Carp, George A. Kurtz, N.C. Gochenour and C.A. Evans.

Since its founding, the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce has been led by more than 75 different individuals – with some serving more than one year.

In fact, R.O. Hasler was president for seven one-year terms in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Marie Bristow was the first woman president, serving in 1978. Other women presidents include Jean Stombaugh, Bunny Brosman, Sandra Michel, Michelle Sarver, Kendra Craig, Pam Apke and 2009 president Joanna Helm.

The method for electing officers was changed to the succession system in 1965.

In the early years, the chamber’s role included classic functions such as the recruitment of business and industry to Vandalia, but it also was heavily involved in the town’s civic and social functions.

In later years, however, economic development issues have been central to the role of the chamber.

At times, that has focused on business and industrial recruitment, while at others it has dealt with infrastructure improvements necessary to attract and sustain those companies.

The chamber also ahs been involved in lobbying for better roads, better schools, a hospital, an airport, keeping railroad service, upgrading water and sewer services, promoting tourism, beautifying Vandalia and several other causes.

In recent years, several chamber members were heavily involved in the effort to save the Vandalia correctional Center and to recruit new businesses to Vandalia.

Now in its 95th year, the chamber’s 130 members are still committed to enhancing the local business climate- whether it be in the historic downtown district or in the developing area around the western I-70 interchange.