Harry Maxted … Western Springs’ First War Dead
On April 12, 1918, Corporal Harry Maxted was in France, standing guard so that his men could get some badly needed rest. Suddenly, German soldiers attacked his trench with grenades. By all accounts, Henry “Harry” Maxted had a very normal childhood. Growing up in Old Town South, he and his
The Short-Lived Western Springs Cadets
Local resident E.C. Patterson once set a record driving from Chicago to New York in just 35 hours. But, did you know that he also organized local boys into the Western Springs Cadets? E.C. Patterson was, by any measure, a colorful character. While he held key management positions in several
Western Springs’ Gold Medal Winner
In 1992, a kid from Western Springs won two gold medals at the Barcelona Summer Olympics. And, he came back to a hero’s welcome. In 1981, Nelson Diebel was a cub scout here in Western Springs and was awarded his 2nd year Bear badge. In 1985, he had the distinction
Western Springs… First in Space?
In 1962, the United States launched Telstar, the first communications satellite, into space. And, just a few days later, Western Springs was invited to converse with its sister city in England via the brand new satellite. It was a very different world just 51 years ago. There were no touch-tone
The Day That “Car Parts Fell Like Rain”
It was a quiet Wednesday afternoon in Western Springs. But, all of that changed at 2:06 p.m. when the crack Empire Builder passenger train roared through town. January 19, 1966, was just another dreary winter day in Western Springs. But, when two local women began driving across the train tracks
Western Springs’ Biggest Party Ever
In 1986, village residents decided to celebrate the town’s 100th anniversary. The resulting centennial celebration lasted all twelve months! Twenty-seven years ago, village residents were in the midst of celebrating the town’s 100th birthday. And, what a celebration it was! Virtually every organization in town, from churches to fraternal organizations,
What’s that Building on Chestnut?
Those new to Western Springs often ask about the small, church-like building located at 1215 Chestnut Street. According to the Western Springs Historical Society archives, the building in question dates back to 1893 when it was the Swedish Methodist Church While it went through several renovations over the years, the
Western Springs’ House Walk History
There seems to be a tradition of springtime house walks in our village. But, it wasn’t always so. The Chicago Tribune’s first mention of an organized house walk in the Chicago area was in 1957. Perhaps this was because early residents were so involved in entertaining and visiting each others’
Western Springs “Still” Remembered
In 1920, the 18th Amendment took effect, banning the manufacture of intoxicating liquor. And, while Western Springs had been “dry” since its earliest days, at least one household took exception. The National Prohibition Act, which took effect in 1920, banned the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages. As a result,
The Evolution of the Tower Trot
Many Western Springs residents are too young to remember when there wasn’t a Tower Trot. But this annual tradition has a lot of history … and is still going strong. Back in 1978, the Village’s Recreation Commission was totally dependent on tax revenue to fund its various programs. So, programs
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