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Can you hear me now? Part Two - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," talks about life before cell phones, or any phones. "In 1896, telephones were at last available to private homes. The switchboard, however, was open only from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. In 1900, one operator was employed to handle the 333 calls per day; by 1909, these operators handled more than 3,000 daily calls....
'Happy Hall-idays' - That was the greeting that Vinaya Sharma used on the first of the Christmas Cards he began designing and sending out in 1996. Sharma has appeared on his cards each year, in locations ranging from the Memorial Building in Hinsdale to the Taj Mahal in India. 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]....
Early settler - Benjamin Fuller came by horseback from New York State in 1834 looking for a place to make his home. He eventually settled on Brush Hill, just north of Ogden Avenue and west of York Road. According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," he was "one of the area's earliest settlers, gradually purchased most of the land in the central community. Serving over the years as farmer, storekeeper, innkeeper, and postmaster, he platted the town and...
Road trip - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," mentions the Castle Inn, which was on Ogden Avenue. "Over time, (Benjamin) Fuller amassed about 800 acres. His acquisition in 1843 of a portion of Orente Grant's property included this building, Castle Inn. The inn, built by Grant in 1836, was located on the south side of the Southwest Trail, today's Ogden Avenue, just east of York Road. In addition to serving travelers, settlers took shelter at the inn while...
Early churches - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," highlights the early churches built in Hinsdale. "On a lot just west of the Episcopal church, this Presbyterian church was built in 1893. In 1918, the congregation, together with some Unitarians, joined with the Congregationalists in forming Union Church. This building then served as the Episcopal Guild Hall and Sunday School."...
Early churches - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," highlights the early churches built in Hinsdale. "Formally organized in 1875, the Episcopal congregation gathered at the public school and other available churches until its own building was finished in 1886. William Robbins donated the lot, located where the church still stands at First and Blaine streets. This 1890 photograph shows the building with a wooden front, not completed in stone until...
New car smell - Hinsdalean Ralph Homann sends us this picture of his dad, Henry, standing by his sister Marie's new car in their parents' driveway at 728 S. Bruner St., with undeveloped land to the north. The photo was taken in the late 1930s. 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]....
Early churches - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," highlights the early churches built in Hinsdale. "In 1870 O.J. Stough donated land on Maple Street near Washington Street to establish a Unitarian church. Shown here is the congregation's second church, built in 1888. It is speculated that a young Frank Lloyd Wright played a role in designing the building whose minister, William C. Gannett, was a close personal friend." Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is...
Club house - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," mentions The Hinsdale Club, which was founded in 1888. It was "initially an informal men's group that met above a local store. With rapid growth in membership and prominence, the club had this building constructed in 1899 at the southwest corner of Garfield Avenue and First Street. This was the center of village social life from that point forward, hosting club meetings, dancing classes, political rallies,...
Social network - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," mentions that in 1872, O.J. Stough built a building at 11 N. Lincoln St. that had a school on the first floor and a meeting hall upstairs. "Until surpassed by the Hinsdale Club, Stough's Hall was the social and civic center of Hinsdale. The photograph was taken after 1904 when the building was purchased by the Swedish Baptist church."...
Vacation home - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," mentions the therapeutic effects Chicagoans enjoyed from a vacation in Hinsdale. "The Fresh Air Association was one of Hinsdale's most successful philanthropies. Begun about 1888 with inspiration from Unity Church, the association provided women and children from Chicago's poor neighborhoods 'a vacation in the country.' The former Marvin Fox home, still standing at 32 W. Ogden Ave., was loaned to the group,...
Early football - From Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," this photo shows the Hinsdale football town team. The game was against Downers Grove in 1913. Only one player on the Downers team is wearing the optional leather helmet, she notes. 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]. (Hinsdale Historical Society...
Overdue - From "Images of America - Hinsdale" by Sandy Williams: "Founded as a private association in 1886, any 'reputable' person could become a member of the Hinsdale Library upon payment of $1 annual dues. The original collection, primarily donated by residents, was shelved in this home of C.D. Snow at Washington and Third streets. Mrs. Snow was one of the library's founders and also served as the first librarian. The photograph shows the Snow home at a later date, after...
Early education - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," includes a photo of Matilda Hiatt, who influenced the lives of many Hinsdaleans. "In a small studio behind the family home at 206 N. Lincoln St., she opened a preschool in 1912. She based her school principles on the Montessori method of honesty, courtesy, unselfishness and order. The school closed in 1953 after 41 years of service."...
Octogenarian on Eighth - The Community House is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its founding this year. The original facility was on the corner of Garfield Avenue and First Street in the central business district. This photo shows the dedication of the building at Eighth and Madison streets in 1955. The new facility opened in 1956 and continues to provide programs and services to the community. (photo courtesy of The Community House)...
Back to school - From Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," busing began in 1929 in Hinsdale. At first the bus only picked up the remote Monroe School students. The first school, above, was a "handsome Gotfredson model, a Canadian brand built in Detroit." 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]. (Hinsdale Historical Society...
Playing around - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," shows a photo of Burns Field after its 1938 completion. This view is from Monroe Street looking east. The park was named for Village President Randall Burns who died in office, stricken at a village board meeting. 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]...
Complete retreat - Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," describes how KLM became a park in the village. "The KLM Lodge, a dining and recreation hall for the women's retreat (for employees of International Harvester), was built in 1926. It was designed by Hinsdale architect R. Harold Zook based on an earlier plan for the Legge home intended for the site. A dormitory followed, along with tennis courts, swimming pool and a convalescent cottage. In December 1973,...
Vacation destination - According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," KLM was once a vacation spot. "Alexander Legge, president of International Harvester, and his wife, Katherine, purchased 52 acres on South County Line Road in 1915 for use as a summer residence and farm. After Katherine died suddenly in 1924, Legge dedicated this property in her name for use as a retreat by the female employees of Harvester. Do you have a Hinsdale photo that is at least...
Special delivery - According to Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," Charles Kimball was a Civil War veteran who was troubled by pain from chronic war wounds. He was a patient of Dr. David Paulson, a Chicago physician associated with Michigan's Battle Creek Sanitarium. "Kimball persuaded Paulson to open a branch of the sanitarium in Hinsdale on the former Beckwith estate, shown here. Located north of the railroad tracks near Oak Street, the 10-acre property...
Early worship - Sandy Williams writes in "Images of America - Hinsdale" about the first Zion Lutheran Church, which stood on the northeast corner of Vine and Second streets and was built in 1888. "Two years later, Zion's school was established with classes held in the sanctuary and the pastor serving as the instructor. In 1915, a new church, still standing, was constructed, and this building was used as the school until 1931."...
Early worship - From Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," comes this picture of the Swedish Evangelical Church. "Organized about 1889, the Swedish Evangelical congregation built this church at 18 E. Fourth St. At the time, summer school was also held here to teach biblical history and the Swedish language. The first service in English was offered in 1922; in 1935, Swedish services were discontinued altogether. A new church was built in 1931 at Fourth Street...
Early worship - German Lutherans split from their Fullersburg congregation, wanting a church closer to their Hinsdale neighborhood. "In 1900, skilled congregants volunteered their labor and expertise to build this church at the corner of Third and Grant streets," Sandy Williams writes in "Images of America - Hinsdale." "The congregation vacated the building in 1964. Saved from demolition, renovated and reopened to the public, the building, renamed Immanuel Hall, is owned and...
A little bit of France - This home at 314 N. Lincoln St. was built for William D. Gates, founder and president of American Terra Cotta Company. Not surprisingly, the entire exterior was constructed of terra cotta. According to Sandy Williams book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," the design was inspired by a Loire Valley chateau and built by the Chicago architectural firm of Jennery & Mundie. To support the weight of the structure, the basement was divided into rooms matching...
Early dining - From Sandy Williams book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," is this photo of the Old Spinning Wheel restaurant located on Ogden just west of the tollway. "The original Old Spinning Wheel restaurant was built in 1935 by Charles and Vacia Duncan. Expanding seven years later, this building replaced the original structure. The enormously popular restaurant was filled with antiques, surrounded by attractive gardens, and offered an elegant yet home-style menu. The...
