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  • Once upon a time

    Updated Mar 31, 2021

    Lifestyle housing circa 1888 - In her book, "Images in America - Hinsdale," Sandy Williams mentions that the first building on the south side of First Street was this one located at 102 S. Washington St. "In 1888, German born John Papenhause had this building constructed to house his successful tailoring business. The second floor was home to the Papenhausens and their six children."...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Mar 24, 2021

    Early Hinsdale - Sandy Williams cites this historic edifice in the village's downtown in her book, "Images of America - Hinsdale." She writes, "This building at 54 S. Washington Street was built in 1892 replacing an earlier blacksmith shop. Reineke's Grocery occupied the site from 1904 until closing in 1974 as one of Hinsdale's oldest and most popular businesses."...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Mar 17, 2021

    Prime location - From Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," we learn the building that currently houses Baldinelli's and Vistro Prime has had food as the main course since the beginning. "Built in 1929 at 114 S. Washington Street to house the Loblaw Groceteria, this later became one of the first Jewel food stores in the chain. Loblaw stores featured a new concept of 'self-serve' rather than clerks gathering orders to be delivered later that day. With customers...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Mar 10, 2021

    Hinsdale's first florist - Morris Florist filled the need for a florist in downtown Hinsdale, according to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale" when it opened up on Hinsdale Avenue in 1902. His business eventually expanded to include six greenhouses on the corner of Monroe Street and Ogden Avenue and several others outside of Hinsdale as well. Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 years old? We'd love to share it with our readers. Stop by our office...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Mar 3, 2021

    Green thumb – Sandy Williams, in her book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," writes about Englishman Fred Morris. "Morris established Morris Florists in 1894. Shown about 1907 in the greenhouse near his home at Hickory and Grant Streets, Morris produced shrubs, vegetables and herbs as well as flowers. When the government encouraged victory gardens during the war, Morris volunteered to teach residents proper planting methods." Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 y...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Feb 24, 2021

    Back in the day - From Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," this photo shows the west side of Washington Street taken about 1895. "From right to left, the 1891 corner building remains, although remodeled; the two adjacent Joliet limestone storefronts both built in 1894, also stand today. Barely visible at the south end of the block is the familiar round oriel bay window of the corner building." Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 years old? We'd...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Feb 17, 2021

    Down on the farm - From Sandy Williams' book "Images of America - Hinsdale," we learn Marvin Fox arrived from Vermont in 1852 with his wife and 10 children. "Homesteading 160 acres southwest of Brush Hill, he soon added another 160 acres to his farm, planting the first corn on the prairie that was to become Hinsdale. His home, shown here, still stands on the sought side of Ogden Avenue at Lincoln Street." Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 years old? We'd love...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Feb 10, 2021

    Vintage hotels in the village - Hinsdale used to be the home of a few hotels, according to Sandy Williams' book, "Images in America - Hinsdale." "In 1851 with business booming at Castle Inn, Fuller built a second hotel across the street on the north side of the plank road. (Ogden Avenue) This hotel, shown here in 1869, was known over the years as Fullersburg Tavern, the Deutches Gast Haus and the Grand Pacific Hotel. Often both inns in Brush Hill were filled to capacity,...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Feb 3, 2021

    Early Hinsdaleans - Ralph Homann sends in this family photo that was taken on the 700 block of Grant Street. The woman circled on the left is his great-grandmother, Sophie Klusmann Biermann, who was born in Germany in 1865. Her daughter Minnie, his grandmother to be, was born in Hinsdale in 1890. She went on to marry Henry Homann after the two in Germany and he moved to the U.S. in 1910. Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 years old? We'd love to share it with...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Jan 27, 2021

    Lake front property - A couple of workers work to clear a sewer at the corner of Hinsdale Avenue and Vine Street in June of 1967. In the background, Millar's Grocery seems to be just on the edge of the flooded street. Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 years old? We'd love to share it with our readers. Stop by our office at 7 W. First St. or email it to [email protected]. (Photo courtesy of Carol Cikanek)...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Jan 20, 2021

    Station envy - After the Highlands station was built in 1873, it didn't take long for O.J. Stough, who was developing much of the west side of Hinsdale at the time, to request to build another station in West Hinsdale. The railroad agreed and in 1874 this two story station was constructed. According to the book published by Sandy Williams, "Images of America - Hinsdale," the station master sold tickets and signaled trains when passengers were waiting. He lived above the...

  • Once upon at time

    Updated Jan 13, 2021

    All aboard - According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," the mature trees along the county line attracted home buyers to Hinsdale's eastern edge. To accommodate the large homes on both sides of the railroad tracks, the Burlington Northern Co. agreed to stop on a signal if a station were built. In 1873, grateful homeowners built the stone station, naming it "Highlands" after its elevated location. Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 years...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Jan 6, 2021

    Early merchant - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," mentions John Mohr, who was an early merchant in the area. "Storekeeper John Mohr purchased the Fox Brothers Fullersburg store in 1877. Mohr came to America from Germany as a child, later serving in the Union army during the Civil War. The photograph shows the store on Ogden Avenue and the view eastward. In 1909, Mohr relocated to Hinsdale, building the store that still stands at 24 E. Hinsdale Avenue,...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Dec 29, 2020

    Auto row - According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," several car dealers were located north of the tracks along Chicago Avenue between Lincoln and Washington streets, and there were a few more just south of the tracks as well. This photo of the Chevy dealer, where Burdi now is, was once thought to be the location of an illegal beer depot. The photo, taken looking east down Hinsdale Avenue from Lincoln, is from about 1930....

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Dec 22, 2020

    All aboard! - In Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," she mentions the train station in town used to be on the north side of the tracks. "Hinsdale's first railroad station was built in 1864 on the north side of the tracks between Washington and Lincoln streets. The station was used for town meetings, social events and church services until other venues were built. The current depot on Hinsdale Avenue replaced this station in 1899."...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Dec 16, 2020

    First residents - According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," Rev. Charles Barnes was the first to purchase property in Hinsdale when the town was first proposed. He lived in this house at Second and Washington streets. As a sales promotion William Robbins offered a free lot to the first boy born in Hinsdale. Barnes and his wife collected in May 1866 when their son was born. To honor the founder, they named him William Robbins Barnes. Later William grew...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Dec 9, 2020

    This old home - According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," the home at 318 S. Garfield Ave. was built in 1888 for Robert Childs. Childs was a Civil War veteran, school principal and attorney. He represented Hinsdale in the U.S. Congress from 1893-97. Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 years old? We'd love to share it with our readers. Stop by our office at 7 W. First St. or email it to [email protected]....

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Dec 2, 2020

    Built for the road ahead - In 1917, Henry Buchholz and his brother opened Hinsdale's first car dealership on the corner of Garfield and Hinsdale avenues. According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," Henry Ford dropped in for a visit to the dealership when he was in the area visiting International Harvester's Alexander Legge, who lived in town. Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least 25 years old? We'd love to share it with our readers. Stop by our...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Nov 24, 2020

    Jack of all trades - According to Sandy Williams' in her book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," Anson Ayers had a wide-ranging background of teaching, farming, carriage building, hardware, harness making and operating a sawmill. She goes on to say, "He bought 80 acres and this home on the northwest side and perhaps did some gentleman farming before subdividing the property, his initial goal."...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Nov 11, 2020

    A hero's club - According to Sandy William's book, "Living in America - Hinsdale" Ruth Lake Country Club, pictured in 1940, was founded in 1922 by some of Hinsdale's younger men. They wanted to use the club for hunting, camping and skate sailing. The club was named for Linus Ruth, who was a boyhood friend of the founders. Ruth was killed in World War I....

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Nov 4, 2020

    Teeing it up - According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," golf was first played in Hinsdale in the 1890s on a six-hold course located along Ayres Avenue near Lincoln Street. In 1898 the Hinsdale Golf Club was founded, located just east of its present Chicago Avenue site. The photo here is of the clubhouse in 1923....

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Oct 28, 2020

    This old house - Sandy Williams, in her book "Images of America - Hinsdale," wrote about the home at 231 E. Third St. "An excellent example of Prairie School design, this home was designed by noted architect E.E. Roberts. Built for lumber executive A. W. True in 1908, the home features a low-pitched roof with broad eaves and bands of windows characteristic of the Prairie style." In 2014 Rob and Amanda Miller completely remodeled the home's interior while keeping the home's...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Oct 21, 2020

    Devil in the details - Myrta Holmes, the former wife of serial killer H.H. Holmes, rented various homes throughout the village, including this one at 212 N. Lincoln St. in 1912. She moved to Hinsdale with her daughter in 1896, the year her estranged husband was executed. According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," Holmes taught third and fourth grades at least 15 years in the Hinsdale Public School system. H.H. Holmes was featured in Erik Larson's book...

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Oct 14, 2020

    If the shoe fits - In her book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," Sandy Williams writes about Emanuel Karlson, who began his boot and shoe business in Hinsdale in 1895. In 1898 he moved his store to the new building pictured here at 52 S. Washington St., where the family business lasted more than 80 years. In addition to crafting his own custom, handmade shoes, he was one of the first shoemakers in Chicago to sell national brands as well....

  • Once upon a time

    Updated Oct 7, 2020

    Hinsdale through the years - Walgreens first entrance into Hinsdale was in 1935 at the corner of First and Washington streets. "Dr. Merrick's and Evernden's original 1872 drug store changed ownership and locations twice before Walgreens bought the business in 1935. It remained at this First and Washington Street location until closing in 1973. It was not until 1986 that Walgreens again had a presence in Hinsdale," according to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America -...

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