An American Success Story, Here in Western Springs
How hard work and determination paid off for a 16-year-old immigrant from Sicily. In 1899, a 16-year-old boy named August Serio came to the United States from Palermo, Sicily. After working and saving his money, he returned to marry Anna Calderone. But, the Italian Army inducted him, even though he
Vaughan’s…From Grass Seed to Catalog Sales
In 1876, John Vaughan opened a small Chicago seed store. Twenty-one years later, he expanded to Western Springs, where he built what became one of the nation’s largest wholesalers and retailers of horticultural items. Having achieved considerable success selling seed and horticultural supplies through catalog sales, Vaughan opened five greenhouses
Revisiting the Bakeries of Western Springs
The village’s love affair with Kirschbaum’s chocolate-covered donuts is well known. But, do you recall the village’s other great bakeries? It was in 1925 that village residents first forgot about dieting and began patronizing Hentges Bakery, which had just opened at 925 Burlington … that’s where Oberweis is now located.
Western Springs Shoe Store Memories
In 1887, August Ekdahl’s cobbler shop opened for business at 808 West Hillgrove. And, today, another shoe shop continues the tradition, just three doors west. In 1881, August Ekdahl emigrated to the United States from Sweden. After working in a Chicago shoe store for five years, he moved to Western