Ask the Historian
 Do you have a question about Elmhurst history?
Just ask our staff historian a question via e-mail by clicking on this link: Ask the Historian. Here are some recent questions answered by the EHM research staff:
Q. What can you tell me about Harlan Tarbell, former Elmhurst resident and world-famous magic teacher?
A: Harlan Tarbell was born on February 23, 1890 in Delavan, Illinois and grew up in nearby Groveland. In World War I, Tarbell served as a medic with the 24th Air Company in France. He married Martha Beck in 1920, and they lived at 401 Cottage Hill Avenue in Elmhurst with their children (Harlan Tarbell, Jr. and Marion) until Tarbell’s death in 1960. Tarbell became interested in magic at a young age, and often performed magic shows for family members and friends. He eventually became an internationally acclaimed magician who performed for audiences around the world. Tarbell originated over 200 mysteries, including one of the Hindu rope mysteries. Tarbell’s specialty was Eyeless Vision, also known as Radar Vision, which established him as a successful mentalist. Using Eyeless Vision, he once drove an automobile through the Loop during Chicago rush hour completely blindfolded. Tarbell is known for his multi-lesson correspondence course for magicians, which is still used today by many professional magicians. For more information, click here.
Q. What was the name of the department store at St. Charles Road and Route 83 that was there about 1960?
A: E. J. Korvette. A permit for a $1,600,000 shopping center at St. Charles Road and Highway 83 was issued by the City of Elmhurst. The 18.8 acre tract already occupied by the Hi-Lo Food Store was to include a department store, furniture store, patio shop, and automobile service shop. The developers were the Korvette Company, a retail operation. (Elmhurst Press, Looking Back Ten Years, June 14, 1972) E.J. Korvette opened circa 1962 and closed in 1977.
Q. I live on May Street in Elmhurst. What can you tell me about my neighborhood?
A: Your house is in Cherry Farm Subdivision, which goes from St. Charles Road south to Church Street and from York Street east to Poplar Avenue. Before subdividing the land circa 1907, John R. Case had a cherry orchard with 1,000 trees as well as an apple orchard. According to an early real estate brochure for Cherry Farm, some of the amenities of the subdivision included sidewalks, best of drainage, trees and hedges on every lot and proximity to four railroads.
Q. How did the "Dukes" of York High School get their nickname?
A: The answer is found in Sports Tidbits in the Elmhurst Press (December 24, 1936) written by sports editor Howard C. Fischer. The Elmhurst Press covered York High School sports, and each week the newspaper staff used nicknames for York’s teams i.e. The Eastmen (after Coach Clarence D. East), the Yorkites, the green and whites (for the school colors), etc. In his column Fischer wrote: You doubtless read in the metropolitan papers about two weeks ago that King Edward evacuated the British throne, and that his brother, the Duke of York, climbed into the stately chair in his stead, leaving York without a duke...Why not populate York with a lot of dukes? By that I mean I mean why not let York high school athletic teams be known as the Dukes of York?...York’s athletes have gone by such monikers as the Eastmen, Blackmen, Birksmen, Green and White and Yorkites long enough. It is time they be given a name and Dukes is as good as any. An article titled “York Dukes Prep for Holiday Cage Meet at De Kalb” appeared next to Mr. Fischer’s column, thus inaugurating the new name for York athletes.
Q. Is there a concrete ornament left over from the Chicago Fire in Wilder Park?
A: Yes, there is a roof finial from the Chicago Courthouse in the southwest corner of Wilder Park, west of the conservatory. The Courthouse burned in the 1871 Chicago Fire, and a resident brought it to Elmhurst as a souvenir.
Q. I recently visited the Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst and noticed a boulder with a plaque dated 1927. What do you know about it? (www.cultureprojectearth.com)
A: In 1926 the United States Congress passed a resolution calling for the observance of November 11th with appropriate ceremonies to mark the 1918 end of World War I. The following year the American Legion dedicated a memorial in the northwest corner of Wilder Park to honor three Elmhurst residents who were killed in WWI – Ernest Timrott, Richard Hintz and Kinsley Buck. The 1927 plaque is now located at the Veterans Memorial, south of the Wilder Mansion. For more information on Veterans Day, click here.
Q. I live in one of several Spanish Revival style homes on Mitchell Avenue, south of St. Charles Road. Do you know anything about these houses?
A: Designer, builder and Elmhurst resident Fred La Fave built the Mitchell Avenue homes in the mid-1920s. Six of the homes were featured in the January 1927 issue of Home Building. When questioned why he built houses in this style of architecture, Mr. La Fave replied that people desired distinctive styles, something that was different, and that the homes proved his belief that people were looking for better homes.
Q. I know that Elmhurst celebrated its Centennial (100 years) in 1936. However, I have a booklet, The Elmhurst Story, which is a 50th anniversary commemorative dated 1960. Can you explain?
A: In 1936 Elmhurst had a 10-day celebration in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first settlers coming to the area. In 1960-1961 Elmhurst celebrated the 50th anniversary of its incorporation as a City form of government. The festivities included an open house in all of the Elmhurst churches, bus tours of 24 historical locations, a tea honoring “old timers” at Elmhurst Public Library, a parade and a fair at York Community High School.
Q. What can you tell me about Hank’s Corner on Spring Road?
A. Hank’s Corner was located at 500 Spring Road. It was owned and operated by Henry and Evelyn Pilarski 1957 – 1972. They had a soda fountain, and they sold party favors, school supplies, greeting cards and sundries. Other businesses at 500 Spring Road include Carter’s Corner, Cinderella Beauty Shoppe, Elmhurst Cyclery, Elmhurst Office Supplies and Typewriters, Namely Yours, Mr. G’s Snack Shop and Hieronymus Drug Store. Currently (in 2010) Prudential Prairie Path Realtors is at 500 Spring Road.
Q. I have an etching by Lee Sturges. What can you tell me about Mr. Sturges?
A: Lee Sturges (1865 -1954) received his art training in the 1880s while attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. He then left the art field temporarily to join the family business, married and started a family. Mr. Sturges, president of Solar-Sturges Manufacturing Company in Melrose Park, balanced his business and artistic careers. Sturges was a member of the Society of American Etchers, a member of the Brooklyn Etchers Society and a founder and chairman of the Chicago Society of Etchers. He won many prestigious awards and honors for his work. Lee and Mary Sturges and their three children lived at 280 Cottage Hill Avenue in Elmhurst 1892-1953, calling their home Shadeland. Click here for more information about Lee Sturges’ etchings.
Q. Who designed Redeemer Lutheran Church?
A: Roy J. Hotchkiss of Oak Park was the architect and Edgar Hanebuth of Elmhurst was the Associate Architect for Redeemer Lutheran Church at 345 S. Kenilworth Avenue.
Q. What does the name "Elmhurst" mean?
A: Elmhurst is an Old English name meaning "a grove of elms." When Elmhurst was first founded there were very few trees in the area, and the new village was named Cottage Hill, IL. However, after early settlers made a concerted effort to plant trees, the community was renamed Elmhurst in 1870.
Q: When I was a college student back in the 70s we celebrated the end of each semester with a trip to Stone Cottage Pub. Could you tell me what happened to Stone Cottage? (Summerville, SC )
A: Stone Cottage Pub, built circa 1933, was also known over the years as Phillip's Stone Cottage, Vaughn’s Stone Cottage Restaurant, Petersen’s Stone Cottage, Stone Cottage Pizza, and Crossroads Tavern. The popular restaurant stood at 617 W. North Avenue - on the north side of North Avenue, a few lots east of Route 83. A favorable review by Tom Smith appeared in the Elmhurst Press in 1981, “For those who love thick crusts, piles of cheese and mounds of toppings in a cozy, old-fashioned pub atmosphere, there really is only one place for pizza, the Stone Cottage Pub in Elmhurst.” (February 27, 1981) The review continued, “The Stone Cottage is set in the style of an old pub, with wooden floors, walls made of logs, fire places and even mounted animals. Lights are tuned fairly low to maintain the mood of a log cabin. The atmosphere is relaxing and casual.” When the Crossroads Tavern moved out of the building in 2004, the property went on the market for commercial development, and the building was razed in 2007.
 Q: What was the structure that stood just north of the Immaculate Conception Parking lot near the intersection of York and Arthur Streets, but was torn down?
A: The building at 203 S. York Street was originally built in 1891 as the home of Dr. Frederick and Mrs. Martha Fischer. It was known as York Manor. In 1914, Dr. Milo Crane opened Crane Sanitarium in the building. Dr. Milo Crane's son, George Riley Crane, had a dental office in the building 1936 - 1975. In the meantime, most of the building was used as a residential hotel starting circa 1944. It went by many names over the years: The Crane Hotel, The York Manor Hotel, Elmhurst Apartments and The Elmhurst Hotel. The building was razed in 2003.
Q. What was the original name of Prairie Path Lane?
A: Prairie Path Lane, which runs from Mitchell Avenue to Rex Boulevard, was originally known as Railway Street because it ran parallel to the Chicago Aurora & Elgin (CA&E) railway tracks. After the CA&E stopped operations in 1957, and after the Illinois Prairie Path was established, the street was renamed Prairie Path Lane in 1981.
Q. Where was the Elks Lodge in Elmhurst located?
A: The Elks Lodge #1531 was at 136 N. York from 1928 until it moved to 711 W. St. Charles Road in Elmhurst in 1987. The Elmhurst Lodge was organized in 1927 with 89 members from Elmhurst and the surrounding area. Members originally met in a second floor apartment at 126 N. York, so they were happy to move into their new quarters with a lodge room, club rooms, billiard room, gymnasium, kitchen and offices. Citibank is located at 136 N. York today. (November 2009)
Q. When did Hamburger Heaven open?
A: Hamburger Heaven, 281 N. York, opened in May 1948. An ad in the Elmhurst Leader newspaper announced the opening of Hamburger Heaven and its menu “Featuring the Double Deck Hamburger and Richardson’s Draft Root Beer.”
Q. Was Crescent Park originally planned as a cemetery?
A: Yes, according to a newspaper headline, “Historic Glos Farm once platted as a cemetery, to be most exclusive residence district in Western Suburbs.” The article was written after the late Adam Glos’ 128-acre farm was sold to a Chicago syndicate for the development of a subdivision, which became known as Crescent Park.
Q. What is the origin for the street name "Vallette"?
A: The Vallettes were an early family in Du Page County, which lived in Wheaton and Naperville. James Vallette and John Vallette were surveyors. James Vallette was one of the surveyors for the 1904 Du Page County Atlas in the museum’s collection.
 Q. How did the City of Elmhurst end up with the Glos family's house and
property?
A: Henry and Lucy Glos built their home, 120 E. Park Avenue, in 1892-93 and lived there until they passed away. Henry Glos was a prominent civic leader in the early years of Elmhurst, serving as Village President for 19 years. In 1939, Mrs. Glos presented the mansion, the property on which it stood, and seven lots across Kenilworth Avenue to the City of Elmhurst with the provision that she could live in the house until she died. At the time the gift was announced, a participant stated that the property transfer was fulfilling the wish of the late Henry L. Glos (Elmhurst Press July 13, 1939). Mrs. Glos lived in the house until her death in 1941. The building served as Elmhurst’s Municipal Building 1946 – 1970, and it has housed the Elmhurst Historical Museum since 1975.
Q. I remember a little grocery store on York Street called Heinemann's. What can you tell me about it?
A: There were two Heinemann Stores in Elmhurst, owned by brothers. Louis Heinemann had a meat market at 135 S. York, and Edwin Heinemann had a general store across the street at 124 S. York. The general store at 124 S. York closed and was razed in 1922. Two of Louis Heinemann’s daughters took over the store at 135 S. York after their father retired, and that business, known as Heinemann Food Shop, was in operation until the 1960s.
Q. What can you tell me about the Independence Day parade and the Jaycees’ involvement? Also, what happened to the Independence Day parade in 2009?
A: According to Elmhurst Press articles, Elmhurst residents went to Lombard or Villa Park for Independence Day parades during the 1930s. In 1941 T.H.B. Post 187, the American Legion post in Elmhurst, sponsored a day of activities at East End Park including games, races, music, baseball games and fireworks on July 4th. The American Legion continued to organize festivities throughout the 1940s. A 1954 editorial in the Elmhurst Press (July 1, 1953) announced that it would be “A Quiet Fourth in Elmhurst.” The American Legion, which had depended on voluntary contributions from local residents to defray the expenses of the Independence Day celebrations, did not have enough money to continue the tradition. The editorial urged residents to revive the Independence Day activities. The Elmhurst Junior Chamber of Commerce responded to the call and in 1954 the Jaycees hosted a model airplane flying exhibition, guest speakers, an 8-act pageant of American history and fireworks. The Jaycees hosted a city-wide celebration again in 1955, and in 1956 they added a parade to the schedule. This became an annual tradition. On April 6, 2009, due to a decrease in revenues for the City of Elmhurst, the City Council cut $1.5 million when it passed the 2009-2010 budget. The cuts included a reduction in community grants provided to varied organizations – including the Jaycees. As a result, the Jaycees were financially unable to present an Independence Day parade in 2009. For more information, go to the Historic Highlights section.
Q. I purchased a really cute vintage china water pitcher with matching lid. On the bottom it says: "Midwest China Company, Elmhurst, Ill." Could you provide any information on the company?
A. The Midwest China Company opened at 355-357 N. York Street in September 1936. The company, which did both retail and wholesale business, had 1,800 feet of floor space covered with displays. According to the Elmhurst Press the store carried “the newest innovations in dinner sets from the leading American potteries. Also included in the firm’s stock on display are the latest creations from abroad.” (September 24, 1936) By 1942 the company had moved to 296 W. Lake Street. Elmhurst residents Fred Lester Stoker and Sue Stoker owned the store for thirty years.
Q. Can you please tell me about the Wilder Mansion? 
A. The home was built circa 1868 for Seth and Elizabeth Wadhams, who named the estate White Birch(es). It was a two-story square building with a central hall, parlor and bedroom on the north, a sitting room on the south side and a dining room in the southwest corner. There were four bedrooms upstairs. The kitchen and the pantry were in an L on the south side of the house. The second residents of the house, Mr. Henry W. and Mrs. Aurelia King, took ownership circa 1890. They enlarged the house, adding a wing on the north side as well as a veranda on the east and north sides. It appears that Harry (or Henry) and Rosalie Selfridge owned the property next, although they did not live in the house.Thomas Edward and Annie Wilder purchased the building and property in 1905 and moved in with their family. The Wilders named the property Lancaster Lodge, after Mr. Wilder’s hometown in Massachusetts. Mr. Wilder passed away in 1919, and Mrs. Wilder stayed in the house for about a year before moving to Lake Forest, IL to be near her grown children. In 1921 the newly-formed Elmhurst Park District acquired the Wilder estate, and offered the former Wilder residence and the surrounding one-acre of land to the City of Elmhurst for $14,000. The former Wilder home housed Elmhurst Public Library from 1922 to 2003. The Wilder Mansion was remodeled inside and out 1936/37 as part of the Elmhurst Centennial program. The library made an addition to the west of the Wilder Mansion in 1965, which was torn down in 2008 as part of the Elmhurst Park District’s renovation of the Wilder Mansion. As the result of an intergovernmental agreement in 2000, the Elmhurst Park District now owns the Wilder Mansion and it is used for special events and programs.
Q: I lived in Elmhurst in the early to mid 80s, and I graduated from York HS in 1986. I remember there used to be a pet store downtown on Addison Ave., just north of Al’s Hobby Shop. My sister and I both worked there part-time when we were in high school, and neither of us can remember the name of it.
A. According to the museum’s business file, it was Animal Island at 131 Addison.
Q: What is the history of the Elm Roller Skating Rink?
A: Elm Roller Skating Rink opened at 375 W. Roosevelt Rd at Route 83 in 1956. It was owned and operated by Bob and Lynn Fuchs. The rink, which had a snack bar, offered public skating, lessons, a retail skate shop, repair services, and live music provided by a 1,000-pipe organ. At its peak, as many as 600 people would crowd onto the rink for a fun evening of skating. The rink closed in 1989, making way for Lexington Square of Elmhurst.
Q: Is it true that a famous painter named Healy lived in Elmhurst?
A: Yes, well-known and prolific portrait painter G.P.A. Healy (1813-1894) lived in Elmhurst, then called Cottage Hill, 1857-1863. His subjects included Daniel Webster; Ulysses S. Grant; Abraham Lincoln; Andrew Jackson; John Quincy Adams; Louisa May Alcott; Franz Liszt; Elisabeth, Queen of Rumania; Prince Otto von Bismarck of Prussia; French King Louis-Philippe and many more. Healy’s paintings may be found in museums and art galleries throughout the United States and Europe, including Chicago Historical Society, Art Institute of Chicago, Corcoran Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery.
Q: I lived in Pick's Subdivision in Elmhurst until December of 1945. We often went to the Elmhurst Airport. Can you confirm its location and tell me more about the airport?
A: Elmhurst Airport was bounded by Lake St., Illinois Route 58, Grand Ave., and Church Rd. For more information on the Elmhurst Airport, visit the Historic Highlights section of our web site or go to: Historic Highlights
Q: I would like to learn more about Halvey’s on Spring Rd. As a youngster, I spent a great amount of time (and change) there. (Menominee, MI)
A: Halvey’s Sunset Dairy Store, at 512 Spring Road, was owned and operated by Helen and Oliver (“Ollie”) Halvey. It opened circa 1956 and closed circa 1976.
Q: For whom is Marjorie Davis Park named?
A: Marjorie Davis Park, located at the intersection of Granley and Myrtle in Elmhurst, is named in honor of a fifth grade teacher who taught at Roosevelt School for 33 years. The park was dedicated in 1981 and is on the former site of Roosevelt School. Ms. Davis' name lives on in the place where she once influenced many young lives.
Q: I've noticed a very small cemetery on Poplar Ave, just south of St. Charles Rd. in Elmhurst. Who is buried there?
A: Early settlers Adam and Katharina Glos owned a farm in this area now known as Crescent Park. They are buried in this small plot of land, along with a few of their children. (Note: Adam and Katharina were parents of Henry Glos, original owner of the Glos Mansion and current home of Elmhurst Historical Museum. Henry and his wife Lucy, however, are not buried in the Poplar Ave. cemetery. Their final resting place is in the Glos Mausoleum located across from the Glos Mansion).
Q: When did Ollswang's department store (which was located just south of the train station) close?
A: Ollswang's Department Store was sold on October 20, 1961 to Mid-States Dept. Stores of Milwaukee.
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