Forgotten Western Springs: The Wolf Road Garage
In 1920, Western Springs was home to just 1,258 residents and 100 automobiles. But, who could someone call for a tow or flat tire? In 1920, Wolf Road in Western Springs was just an unpaved dirt street. The most common vehicles were still horse-drawn wagons and buggies. But, Fred Tiedt
A Nautical Supply Store in Western Springs?
You might think that land-locked Western Springs would be the last place to find a store for boat owners. But, in 1965, you would have been wrong. Since Western Springs is roughly 20 miles from Lake Michigan and has no navigable waterways within its village limits, one could assume that
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 Florists, Past & Present
Remember when you got (or gave) your first corsage? Just look below and you’ll see how long that tradition has been part of our village. The first record of a florist in Western Springs was in 1928. That’s when George Dockum had a small shop on the corner of Lawn
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,
The Unluckiest Robber of 1984
On the evening of September 29, 1984, most Western Springs residents were going about their normal routines, unaware of what was unfolding at Tischler Finer Foods. In September of 1984, Tischler Finer Foods, located on the southeast corner of Wolf and Burlington, had just celebrated its third year of operation
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,
Western Springs’ Birthplace: Grand Avenue School
Residents always associate the historic Water Tower with the earliest days of the village. But, did you know that another building was the first home to our village government? In 1885, the Grand Avenue School was built to replace a smaller schoolhouse that had been on the same site. Later
Western Springs’ Postcards from the Past
Picture postcards were first introduced at Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. And, over the years, little Western Springs was featured on quite a few. With the advent of modern photography and printing presses, the production and sale of picture postcards became a huge industry in the early 1900’s. Not only
The 1968 Demise of a Western Springs Landmark
On the afternoon of June 3, 1968, motorists on Willow Springs Road noticed a fire across the street from Community Memorial Hospital. And, by 5:30 p.m., little would remain of the historic Dierks Farm. In 1858, 20-year-old Dietrich Dierks came to America from Germany. By 1869, after working at several jobs