Lakefront Property for Sale in Forest Hills
In 1930, new homes were being built in Forest Hills, south of 47th street. But, Central Avenue was as far west as they dared build. Except for a select group of senior citizens who grew up in Western Springs, few of us can remember what the Forest Hills subdivision looked
Western Springs Tackles Race Relations
By John Devona In 1953, an African-American couple wanted a home in the Forest Hills subdivision. But, some tried to keep that from happening. Arthur Falls was the African-American son of a postal worker and a dressmaker. In 1925, he graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Medicine and opened an
Western Springs’ “Boxcar Family”
In 1958, a new family moved to town. But, unlike other newcomers, they came by boxcar and didn’t stay long. In 1958, the Illinois Toll Highway Commission was in the midst of constructing the Tri-State Tollway. One of their most challenging tasks was building a new bridge for the Burlington
Western Springs Says Goodbye to Party Lines
For many years, village residents shared their phone lines with neighbors. But, that finally ended in the 1950’s. Many people consider the introduction of cellular phones as the greatest development in personal communication. However, a lot of “old-timers” would say it was the elimination of party lines and the ability
The Legend of the “Little Lost Train”
Many long-time Western Spring residents claim there’s a locomotive buried near Spring Rock Park. So, what’s the true story? In 1957, construction began on the Tri-State Tollway. Since much of the area directly west of Western Springs was marshy wetlands, there was considerable excavation work required before a railroad bridge
1947 Cadillac Ambulance … a bit of Local History
On May 1, 1948, the village took delivery of the most modern ambulance of its day. And, 66 years later, it’ still here, reminding us of the past. Prior to 1948, village residents needing an ambulance had to call the Merker funeral home, which operated a private ambulance service. But,
How Western Springs was First Electrified
In 1898, the village’s first electricity generating plant was built at 47th and Central. And, to help run it, they chose 24-year-old Lawrence Castrodale. People were amazed in 1893 when they got their first glimpse of electric lighting at the World’s Columbian Exposition. So, by 1898, Western Springs decided to
The 150th Anniversary Nobody Remembered
In 1864, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad began commuter service between Aurora and Chicago. But, 150 years later, no one marked the occasion. If you commute from Western Springs to downtown Chicago on METRA, you might take those trains for granted. But, in 1864, they were a radical innovation.
The Never-Ending Timber Trails Saga
The upscale Timber Trails subdivision comprises Western Springs’ only remaining vacant land. But, it has had a rocky road, to say the least. In 1833, Joseph Vial came to the Chicago area and first settled in Western Springs. He subsequently built a log cabin and staked claim to land north
From Farmland to “Springdale”
Fifty-nine years ago, a ground-breaking ceremony was held on a farm field south of 47th Street. It would become one of Western Springs’ largest neighborhoods. As local residents know, the Vaughan Seed Company owned a great deal of the property south of 47th Street for many years. But, few realize