Community: Our Ancestor's City
The purpose of this page is to provide a pictorial glimpse of the city where some of our ancestors may have grown up; parents, grandparents, etc. Keep in mind that prior to the coming of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad in 1849, most of this area was occupied by Native Americans. Later, as the early settlers moved in, it became mostly agricultural.
Most of the following pictures were taken before we (the Class of 1963) were born. Some of these pictures are from the West Chicago City Museum, some are from the '1874 Atlas & History of DuPage County', some are from 'A Random Review of West Chicago History' by Frank F. Scobey, some are from '100 Years of Incorporation' also by Frank F. Scobey, some were found on Facebook and sent to us by friends, relatives and/or classmates.
Some of these picture sources included dates and locations. Most did not. Some contained other information and others did not.
We apologize for the poor quality of some of these pictures. The first camera was invented in 1816. It was very expensive, required very long exposure times and the photos faded over time. It wasn't until 1888 when George Eastman began to market his Kodak box camera that consumers began taking pictures. In 1900, Kodak introduced the Brownie camera for $1.00, making photography affordable to the middle class. Back in those days, cameras and photography were not what they are today!
Most of the following pictures were taken before we (the Class of 1963) were born. Some of these pictures are from the West Chicago City Museum, some are from the '1874 Atlas & History of DuPage County', some are from 'A Random Review of West Chicago History' by Frank F. Scobey, some are from '100 Years of Incorporation' also by Frank F. Scobey, some were found on Facebook and sent to us by friends, relatives and/or classmates.
Some of these picture sources included dates and locations. Most did not. Some contained other information and others did not.
We apologize for the poor quality of some of these pictures. The first camera was invented in 1816. It was very expensive, required very long exposure times and the photos faded over time. It wasn't until 1888 when George Eastman began to market his Kodak box camera that consumers began taking pictures. In 1900, Kodak introduced the Brownie camera for $1.00, making photography affordable to the middle class. Back in those days, cameras and photography were not what they are today!
The Early Years
North Side School built in 1873 and rebuilt in 1908.
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South Side School built in 1887 and destroyed by fire in 1919.
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E.W. Krimbill took over Larry Donavin's Blacksmith Shop shown here circa 1885.
This photo of John Neltnor's store was taken around 1890 on Depot (Main) St. The building on the far right was the Ripley Hotel at 200 Main Street today. Notice the wooden side walk.
Looking south down Depot St. (Main St.) from North St. (Washington St.) between 1897 (when this fountain was installed) and 1909 (when the fountain was moved to make way for the trolley tracks). This water fountain has been relocated at least a few times over the years! Note the wooden sidewalks and unpaved road.
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Same view as the previous picture but after 1925 (when the city installed streetlights and paved several miles of streets) and before 1937 (when the CA&E discontinued service on the Geneva Branch).
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This two-car A.E.& C. train appears to be out bound from Chicago (going north) on Depot St.
North St looking east from the vicinity of the Boles Opera House. The street does not appear to be paved yet, so this was likely taken before 1923.
Newton & Smiley's bank was built in 1891 on North Street. Later, it was the State Trust & Savings. After that, it was the First National Bank.
Reed & Campbell's Dry Goods & Grocery store.
The West Chicago Press, located on the south side of W. North St in the 1910's.
A 1910 view of the east side of Depot (Main) Street showing concrete sidewalks and curbs but the street itself was not yet paved.
Chandler & Goetz hardware store on the south side of North Street. Circa 1912. Note the wooden sidewalk.
Postcard "View on Geneva Rd, West Chicago, Ill." postmarked Coverdale, Ill, Feb 21, 1917.
Bolles Block Opera house printing plate.
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1922 Fourth of July parade on North St. passing in front of the old opera house.
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Circa 1924 and Later
The Bell Tower in High Lake.
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This club house was built in High Lake to entice Chicagoan's to move to the suburbs and commute to Chicago on the AE&C (later the CA&E) electrified trains. It opened in 1911 and was used by locals for gatherings and social affairs for years. The High Lake station, the lake itself and the club house have all disappeared.
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This 1860's relic is moving to its new home on Turner Ct, just south of the public library and west of the old City Hall, currently the West Chicago City Museum.
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The CA&E ran regularly scheduled trains through West Chicago from 1909 to 1937. Here, an out bound trolley car is passing the C&NW passenger station. Since the street is paved & streetlights are visable, this picture was likely taken between 1925 & 1937. You can almost read the sign for Canada's DX gas station in the background.
Mell & Mell and Aunt Poll's Bake Shop on Main St.
Looking north on Main St from just south of Galena St. That's the old City Hall building on the left where the city housed its first firefighting equipment. You can see the ramp from the garage crossing the sidewalk into the street.
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This illustration of the Town Hall, built in 1884, was home to our municipal offices. The wide door on the left, stored the city's fire equipment before the volunteer fire company was formed in 1896!
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Looking north on Main St near Galena Street. City Hall is on the left and a tavern is on the right. The standpipe in the center of the background is likely the water pumping station.
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This is an 1895 picture of the West Chicago water pumping station and standpipe.
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An east bound passenger train pulling into the West Chicago station.
The C&NW's second and largest roundhouse in West Chicago located southeast of the Wilson St bridge.
A residential house on west side of Easton Ave between North & Depot Streets in 1927.
Main St. looking east toward route 59 from in front of the WeGo Bowling Alley.
