Saving a Piece of Western Springs History
In 1974, the Grand Avenue School had been completely renovated. But, just a few years later, school enrollment declined, making the building’s long-term survival very bleak. Built in 1885, the Grand Avenue School building is actually older than our town’s historic Water Tower. For many years, it was the village’s
Liquor Comes to Western Springs
Western Springs had banned the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1886. But, that was to change in 2002. Since its founding in 1886, the Village of Western Springs had never allowed the sale of alcoholic beverages. While the federal government repealed its Prohibition laws in 1934, local communities were free
The Village Street Named “Rugeley” … and Why
After World War II, the U.S. State Department encouraged American communities to get more involved with the people of other countries. And, Western Springs stepped up to the challenge. In 1956, Western Springs’ village officials became interested in the State Department’s new “People to People” program designed to build a
Western Springs’ Great Railroad Station Battle
In 1971, village officials decided to replace the brick and stone railroad station that had served the town since 1890. But, it wasn’t as easy as they had expected. Western Springs’ first railroad station was a small wooden depot located on the north side of the tracks near Wolf Road.
The Hospital That Was Almost Built
In 1927, the Western Community Hospital Association began planning for the construction of a local hospital. But, where would it be built? If you lived in Western Springs in the 1920s, the closest full-service hospital was located in Berwyn. However, as the suburban population grew, so did the interest in
E.P. McClure … An Early Proponent of Green Space
Chances are, you’ve driven past McClure Junior High School’s athletic field numerous times. But, have you ever heard the story behind it? While a student at Oberlin College in the early 1890’s, Elmer McClure studied Greek and Latin. His success as a student was reflected in his receiving a Phi
Western Springs Rotary: Making Changes for the Better
Many local residents take our village assets for granted. But, they are the result of many clubs and organizations, especially the Rotary. The next time you drive through the Village, you should take a minute to think of all the things we have that are the result of the Western
Western Springs’ Addresses – Then and Now
When our village was formed, almost all of the homes were located close to the railroad depot. But, as the town grew, things got more complicated. When Western Springs’ streets were first laid out, the eastern-most border was what is now Wolf Road. So, for many years it was named
A Corner Filled With Village History
The building located at Lawn and Burlington dates back to 1926. And, the list of former tenants reads like a history book of Western Springs. In 1926, the two-story building on the southwest corner of Burlington and Lawn was constructed at the then-significant sum of $125,000. The initial list of
Remember These Old Car Washes?
Over the past fifty years, residents had several locations where they could get their cars washed. How many do you remember? If you live in Western Springs today, getting your washed probably means a trip to Brookfield, Countryside, Hinsdale, or Westmont. But, it wasn’t always that way. When the Garden