Western Springs’ Connection to the Butterball Hotline
In 1981, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line was born. And, who better to head it up than a woman from Western Springs. In 1981, Swift & Company,
What’s in a Name?
Shakespeare wrote that “ … a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But, what about Western Springs? Back in the 1870s, before
Do You Remember America’s Freedom Train?
In 1975, America was already celebrating the Bicentennial of the Nation’s founding. In Western Springs, it started with a train visit. In the early 1970s,
Today’s Vehicle Stickers … a Bargain Compared to 1915!
Some may think that the vehicle sticker is a relatively new concept. But, in 1915, the Village was already collecting this tax. If you’re like most
Lakefront Property for Sale in Forest Hills
In 1930, new homes were being built in Forest Hills, south of 47th street. But, Central Avenue was as far west as they dared build.
Western Springs’ House Walk History
By John Devona There’s a tradition of house walks in our village. But, it wasn’t always so. The first known reference to a house walk
Western Springs Tackles Race Relations
By John Devona In 1953, an African-American couple wanted a home in the Forest Hills subdivision. But, some tried to keep that from happening. Arthur
Drive-up Banking Comes to Western Springs
Residents had always gone inside their bank to cash checks or make deposits. But, in December of 1964, drive-up banking became a reality. The next
Western Springs “Hardware History”
Today, everyone in town knows where the hardware store is located. But, did you know there were at least seven others? It seems that every
What Children Wanted in 1928
In 1928, Western Springs’ school children were asked to write letters to Santa Claus. And, their requests are interesting. The following are actual letters from
Remember Western Springs’ Shoe Repair Shop?
Before the days of rubber soles and imitation leather, local residents took their shoes to this little shop for repair and a friendly chat. In
The Great Tollway Landscaping Theft
In 1960, Western Springs began beautifying the new Tollway. But, their efforts were quickly undermined by thieves. In late 1959, the Western Springs Beautification Commission
Western Springs’ “Boxcar Family”
In 1958, a new family moved to town. But, unlike other newcomers, they came by boxcar and didn’t stay long. In 1958, the Illinois Toll
Western Springs’ Female Bank Embezzler
In 1938, a woman was arrested for stealing $4,300 from our local bank. Why? Just to keep her husband. On November 26, 1938, a 28-year-old
Veterans Memorial Park … and How It Came To Be
You’ve often seen the little park next to the Grand Avenue Community Center. But, do you know its origin? For many years, Western Springs was
Remember Glen’s Local TV?
If you lived in Western Springs before 1993, chances are you were one of Glen’s customers. Today, when you drive or stroll past 923 Burlington
Western Springs’ “Lilac Sharing Campaign”
In 1940, the Chicago Tribune spotlighted our village residents’ effort to provide lilacs to Chicago area hospitals and orphanages. On May 15, 1929, the Chicago
Western Springs Says Goodbye to Party Lines
For many years, village residents shared their phone lines with neighbors. But, that finally ended in the 1950’s. Many people consider the introduction of cellular
The Legend of the “Little Lost Train”
Many long-time Western Spring residents claim there’s a locomotive buried near Spring Rock Park. So, what’s the true story? In 1957, construction began on the
Setting a Western Springs Speed Record
In 1934, the Burlington Railroad’s new Zephyr streamliner roared through Western Springs. And, the speedometer hit 107 miles-per-hour! In June 1933, the Burlington Railroad ordered
Remembering Floyd Kalber
One of America’s best newscasters, Floyd Kalber was also at home flipping pancakes at the Western Springs Methodist Church. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Floyd Kalber
1947 Cadillac Ambulance … a bit of Local History
On May 1, 1948, the village took delivery of the most modern ambulance of its day. And, 66 years later, it’ still here, reminding us
How Western Springs was First Electrified
In 1898, the village’s first electricity generating plant was built at 47th and Central. And, to help run it, they chose 24-year-old Lawrence Castrodale. People
Western Springs Versus the Dutch Elm Disease
In the 1980s, every resident dreaded seeing a reddish/orange dot on a parkway tree. Each one marked the end of a wonderful shade tree. In
The 150th Anniversary Nobody Remembered
In 1864, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad began commuter service between Aurora and Chicago. But, 150 years later, no one marked the occasion. If
The Never-Ending Timber Trails Saga
The upscale Timber Trails subdivision comprises Western Springs’ only remaining vacant land. But, it has had a rocky road, to say the least. In 1833,
Remembering Western Springs’ Bicentennial Party
Thirty-eight years ago, Western Springs’ residents celebrated the Nation’s 200th birthday. And, celebrate it they did! In 1975, the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission selected Western
From Farmland to “Springdale”
Fifty-nine years ago, a ground-breaking ceremony was held on a farm field south of 47th Street. It would become one of Western Springs’ largest neighborhoods.
What Ever Happened to Harvest Days?
In 1980, the Western Springs Rotary Club organized an annual fall festival in Spring Rock Park. But, the last year’s event was canceled before it
A 26-Year-Old Murder Case is Solved
In 1981, a car bomb killed a Hinsdale resident as he drove onto the southbound Tri-State Tollway. The crime would not be solved until 2007.