Ekdahl House Museum
Take a look back in time.
Welcome to the Ekdahl House, named after its original owner, August Ekdahl, a Swedish immigrant and early settler in the community. Mr. Ekdahl built the small, rectangular, one and one-half story, front-gabled house in 1887, one year after the village was incorporated. As one of the first businesses in town and the site of the first post office, this small house was part of the village’s “hub.” It sat directly behind the original wooden train station and was backed by prairie.
In 2009, the Historical Society restored the building to its 1887 appearance and created an outdoor museum for the community of Western Springs. Visitors to the museum may view a recreation of the cobbler shop and post office through the home’s windows. The exhibits showcases Mr. Ekdahl, surrounded by his tools, along with a waiting area where villagers might have socialized while trying on ready-made and custom shoes. The post office was in the back corner of the house and villagers would come in to pick up their mail as there was no home delivery at that time.
This small house serves as a visual representation of Western Springs’ history where adults and children alike can explore the village’s connection to 19th-century issues such as immigration, the role of women, the importance of community, and fulfilling the American dream.
Moving the Ekdahl House
The Western Springs Historical Society spearheaded the preservation of this house in January 2008, saving it from demolition and moving it from its original location along the railroad tracks at 808 Hillgrove Avenue (formerly Chicago Street) to the current site at the corner of Wolf Road and 43rd Street.
Hours and Location
Outdoor Exhibit
Open 24/7
785 43rd Street
Western Springs, IL 60558
The Ekdahl Family
August Ekdahl was 35 and single when he arrived in Western Springs. Six years later, in 1892, he married Augusta Sophia and they had four children between 1892 and 1899. To accommodate his growing family and business, Ekdahl build a second house at 810 Hillgrove Avenue. The original house was later rented by the Pearson family. Hilma Ekdahl remembers
“The town jail was located to the rear of the little house (808) and Mr. Holden (the town Marshall) asking my mother to cook dinner, lunch or whatever if some one was kept there (jail) more than the usual time.”
Her sister, Anna Ekdahl was the only girl from Western Springs to graduate from LT in 1914. She was a nurse in the area for many years before moving to California. According to her sister,
“she especially liked rolling down the hill in front of the water tower.”
August was a family man, citizen, entrepreneur, and member of the Swedish Church while Augusta was known in town for her angel food cake. She also helped to deliver many of the village’s early residents (Erickson, Bergland, Gustafason, and Johnson). After August’s death, Augusta remained in town and raised her family, including an adopted child. She also worked as a cook for many local families.
