1985 - Hiking Through History

1835Hiking Through History -1985

Copies of this booklet are available at the Des Plaines Historical Society, 789 Pearson St.

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CITY OF DES PLANET

1979

Hike Co-Sponsors

Des Plaines Historical Society Donald S. Johnson, Museum director 789 Pearson St., Des Plaines, Il. 60016

Boy Scout Troop 6 Trinity Lutheran Church Karl Lindahl, Hike manager 8705 Sunset Rd., Niles, II. 60648

First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Rev. David P. Lasser 766 Graceland Ave. Des Plaines, II. 60016

Groups interested in taking this historical hike should contact either Donald Johnson at 391-5399 or Karl Lindahl at 692-2065 for particulars. Individuals may pick up maps and hike details from the Des Plaines Police Dept. front desk at any time. Patches are $2.50 each.

1985

4,

Dear Hiker:

As a community, Des Plaines has been blessed with a fascinating and undeniably unique history. In commemoration of Des Plaines' Sesquicentennial year, the Des Plaines Historical Society, City o f Des Plaines, and the Des Plaines Sesquicentennial Commission have combined efforts to produce this exciting booklet; "Hiking Through History". By walking the three hikes described within this booklet; students, senior citizens, scout groups, and individuals can now leisurely explore Des Plaines' rich and varied heritage.

We sincerely hope you enjoy your, journey of discovery through Des Plaines' past. Good hiking!

Donald S. Johnson Historical Museum

Directo,sPlaine

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53.

KINDER HOME (DES PLAINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY) B.F. KINDER & SON HARDWARE LAGERHAUSEN'S LUMBER CO. SOCRATES RAND'S MILL DR. C.A. EARLE HOME C.W.M. BROWN BLDG. BEHMILLER BLDG. KREY JEWELERS BLDG. KUNISCH BARBERSHOP BLDG. SUGAR BOWL RESTAURANT 1ST NATIONAL BANK BLDG. DES PLAINES THEATER RESTORED METHODIST CHURCH DES PLAINES BAND STAND CHOO-CHOO SNACK SHOP DES PLAINES THEATER GUILD MASONIC TEMPLE BLDG. FIRST DES PLAINES LIBRARY EARLY DES PLAINES POST OFFICE EARLY DES PLAINES POST OFFICE FORMER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ECHO THEATER DES PLAINES NATIONAL BANK BLDG. FIRST VILLAGE HALL DES PLAINES WAR MEMORIAL NORTH DIVISION SCHOOL SENNE'S BRIDGE MCDONALD'S DRIVE - IN #7000 MCDONALD'S #1 DRIVE - IN & MUSEUM NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL SOCRATES RAND'S CABIN & 1ST SCHOOL DO-ALL COMPANY & MUSEUM C&NWRR STATION MINNICH HOME ST. MARY'S CHURCH ST. MARY'S CHURCH HOFFMAN LOG CABIN HOME IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL 1ST MAINE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL AHBE HOME EARLY WATER PUMPING STATION NORTHWESTERN PARK POYER HOME STEWART HOME JOSEPH JEFFERSON BRIDGE DES PLAINES RIVER METHODIST CAMPGROUND WHITCOMB CO. CLAYPITS LUTHER JEFFERSON'S GRIST MILL JONES WOOLEN MILL JEFFERSON FAMILY WOODSIDE FARM CHRIST GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH

54. HAMMERL HOME

Des Plaines 1835 Sesquicentennial 1985 Historical Hike Hike #1 11/2 Miles in Length 1. Kinder Home (Des Plaines Historical Society) Constructed in 1906 as a residence for Benjamin Franklin Kinder, the founder of Des Plaines' oldest extant business. The museum, which was originally located at 777 Lee St., is an excellent example of the turn-of-the-century country home, rich in natural woods, period glass and hardware. The period rooms of the museum are geared to the 1900-10 period in Des Plaines and illustrate ways of life that are gone forever. The Kinder home now serves as the focal point of Des Plaines' rich heritage. 2. Walk north along Pearson St. to the S.E. corner of Pearson and Ellinwood Streets. View B.F. Kinder and Son Industrial Supply, Des Plaines' oldest extant business. This unique family operated business was originally established by B.F. Kinder in 1873 on Miner St. The business was subsequently relocated on this corner in 1881. The building, also constructed in 1881, was enlarged and remodeled in the mid-1920s. Note the original floors, shelving and ceiling within the buildings interior. "Kinders" celebrated it's centennial year of business in 1973, and is recognized by the State of Illinois as an "Official Centennial Business". 3. Walk east along historic Ellinwood St. to the former site of Lagerhausen's Lumber Co. at 1615 Ellinwood St. (Now the home of Pace Auctions).

Established in 1889, Lagerhausen's served as

one of Des Plaines' major lumber and coal yards until 1974 when the business was sold. Note the original store front office, lumber barn, out buildings and railroad siding.

4. Walk north, cross Ellinwood St., the Chicago and Northwestern R.R. tracks and Miner St. Proceed to the N.W. corner of River Rd. and Miner St. Looking east, view the area of land that is presently occupied by the "Landmark" condominium. This was formerly the site of two of the most historically and culturally important structures in Des Plaines - "Rand's Mill" and the home of storied Des Plaines physician 5. Dr. C.A. Earle. "Rands Mill" was actually built by the Illinois and Wisconsin Land Co. in 1852 during the construction of the first railroad right of way. The steam mill was purchased by Socrates Rand (1805-1890), a pioneer prairie farmer, Justice of the Peace and influential citizen of early Des Plaines in 1854. Immediately to the south of the mill stood the spacious, and rather stunning Victorian home of Dr. C.A. Earle (1862-1938), a legendary Des Plaines personality. Both the mill and home were destroyed in 1978. 6. Proceed west along Miner St. into the heart of historic Des Plaines. Cross Pearson St. and view the C.W.M. Brown Building at 15221526 Miner St. This substantial structure was built for the C.W.M. Brown Co. in 1900. C.W.M. Brown Co. relocated at it,s present location at 1502 Miner St. in 1933. 7. Walk west on Miner St. to the Behmiller Building at 1520 Miner St. Built in 1897, this well preserved structure served as the home for Behmiller's Grocery. Behmiller's specialized in "Fresh, salt, and smoked meats and sausage".

8. Proceed to 1514 Miner St. and the former location of another early Des Plaines business, Krey Jewelers. This building was constructed in the mid-1880s. 9. Stroll west to 1510 Miner St.and the former barber shop of the famous Julius Kunisch. Kunisch, a native of Prussia, located in Des Plaines in 1884. Mr. Kunisch was still cutting hair in this shop at the age of 90 in 1949. 10. Continue west to the Sugar Bowl Restaurant and Sweet Shop at 1494 Miner St. This well known Des Plaines insitution has been serving delicious homemade candies and ice cream since 1921. Make a point of viewing the numerous oil paintings of historic Des Plaines within the Sugar Bowl. 11. Walk west to 1488 Miner St. This was once the site of the 1st National Bank. "The 1st National" was organized in 1913 and this building served as the bank's second home. It later moved to the location of the defunct Des Plaines State Bank (now the Des Plaines National Bank). It then moved to the S.E. corner of Lee St. and Prairie Ave, and finally to it's present location at the N.E. corner of Lee St. and Prairie Ave. 12. Proceed west to 1474 Miner St. and the well known Des Plaines Theater.This noted landmark was constructed by the Polka family in 1926. Down through the years, the theater has played host to first class Vaudeville talent, silent movies and the films of today. 13. Turn north on Lee St. and walk to the corner of Lee St., Jefferson and Park Place.Observe the brilliantly restored Methodist Church (1903) at 575 Lee St. This building now

houses both law and medical offices. Look immediately west to the triangle of land just north of the Choo-Choo restaurant on Jefferson and Lee Streets. Des Plaines' 14. famed village bandstand stood at this point during the late 19th and early 20th century. Weekly Thursday evening brass band concerts were once a Des Plaines tradition. 15. The delightful Choo-Choo restaurant can be reached by carefully crossing Lee St. This unique eatery, where food is served via a model railroad, first located in Des Plaines in 1951. 16. Return to Miner St. via the west side of Lee St. Pass the home of the well known Des Pla ines Theater Guild, (formed in 1946) in 17. the former Masonic Temple Bldg. This ample structure was raised in 1924.

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18. Walk west past the Des Plaines Civic Center and Police Station to the corner of Miner St. and Graceland Ave. Des Plaines' first library, built with a grant of $5,000 which was obtained from Andrew Carnegie in 1906, stood on the area of land now occupied by the present day parking lot. 19. Cross Miner St. and proceed south across railroad tracks to the corner of Ellinwood St. and Graceland Ave. Cross Graceland at 20. this point and walk south to view two of Des Plaines' former Post Office buildings which stand on the S.W. and N.W. corners of Webford and Graceland. 21. Proceed south along Graceland Ave(once known as "silk stocking Ave" chiefly because many of Des Plaines' more well to do citizens resided on this lovely tree lined street), to the corner of Graceland and Prairie Ave. On the S.W. corner one will see the former

Congregational Church, constructed in 1872. This church served as the Congregationalist's house of worship until 1929, when the growing congregation moved into a massive new church at Graceland and Marion. Trinity Lutheran Church moved into this structure in 1939 and worshipped here until 1955 when the Masonic Lodge renovated the building for their use. 22. Proceed east across Graceland and along the north side of Prairie to the intersection of Prairie and Lee St. Turn north and walk along Lee St. to the former site of the Echo Theater at 682 Lee St. The legendary Echo theater served as one of the entertainment centers of early Des Plaines during the early years of this century until it was eventually forced out of business by it's rival, the Des Plaines Theater. Sections of the original theater lobby and ticket window can be observed to advantage within the pleasant confines of the Tobacco Tin store, 682 Lee St. Note the ornate detail of the former theater exterior on the face of this building. 23. Walk immediately north to the N.W. corner of Lee St. and Ellinwood St. to 678 Lee St. and the home of the Des Plaines National Bank. Though the Des Plaines National Bank was not organized until 1957, the structure which houses the bank was completed during the mid1920s. During the late 1930s, this building served as the home of the First National Bank of Des Plaines. 24. Proceed east across Lee St. to the S.E. corner of Lee and Ellinwood Streets. The first Des Plaines Village Hall, built in 1892, once stood on this site. This all purpose, 2 story brick structure housed Des Plaines' government, courts, jail and fire dept. until it was razed in the mid- 1930s.

Return to the Kinder Home museum by walking east along Ellinwood St. to the corner of Pearson St. Walk south on Pearson St. to the Des Plaines Historical Society museum and the end of your hike.

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Des Plaines 1835 Sesquicentennial 1985 Historical Hike Hike #2 2 3/4 Miles in Length 1. Start walk number two at the Kinder Home (Des Plaines Historical Society). Repeat Historic Hike #1 from Site #1 to Site #14. Once the walker has reached Site #14 (Method ist Church), proceed east along historic Park Place to the corner of Park Place and Pearson St. Walk north to view the Des Pla25. ines War Memorial. This large stone memorial bears the names of those Des Plaines residents who served in the Civil War, SpanishAmerican War, and World War I. 26. Walk to the corner of Pearson St. and River Road. From this point proceed north along River Rd. to the corner of Jefferson St. and River Rd. Observe the site (now a parking lot) of Des Plaines' first village educational in stitution, North Division School, which was built in 1874. "Old North" as it was affectionately known to it's former students, was a "substantial and architecturally stunning two-story brick ediface set back from River Rd. amidst gracious elms". This structure, like so many other important historic structures in Des Plaines and other communitys, was demolished in the 1950s. 27. Continue north along the west side of River Rd. to the former site of Senne's Bridge at Weller Creek, Elk Blvd. and River Rd. Prior to the development which has occured in Des Plaines since World War I, this area in and around Weller Creek was rather marshy

and subsequently needed to be bridged for wagon traffic. 28. Walk north on River Rd., crossing Elk Blvd. to the McDonald's Drive-in #7000. Enter the building and view the excellent exhibits of McDonald's memorabilia. 29. Cross Lee St. (west) to the site of the restored McDonald's Drive-in #1. Ray Kroc opened his first restaurant here at 400 Lee St. on April 15, 1955. The first day sales for Kroc's Des Plaines' McDonald's totaled $366.12. In 1984, the McDonald's chain surpassed the $10 billion mark in sales. It all began here in Des Plaines. The "Original" McDonald's is now a museum that is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The 1,000th, 2,000th and 7,000th McDonald's restaurants are also located in Des Plaines. 30. Immediately north of the McDonald's #1 Museum stands the former Northwestern Hospital, Des Plaines' first medical care facility. Northwestern Hospital operated in the 1930s and 40s prior to the construction of the larger and more modern Holy Family and Lutheran General Hospitals. 31. Walk north to the corner of Lee St. and Harding Ave. At this point look N.E. and view the historic "5 Corners" area of old Des Plaines This large intersection is known as Monkey's Run or, Whisky Point. Des Plaines' first school, located in the cheese room of Socrates Rand's cabin, once stood about one block north of the N.E. corner of this intersection. 32. Proceed west to Willow Ave. Walk N.W. on Willow to Graceland Ave. As you stroll along Willow, keep in mind that you are actually walking on top of Weller Creek which flows beneath the street. Cross Graceland Ave. and continue along Willow, past Willow Park to

the DO-ALL Company at Willow Ave and Laurel Ave. Tours of the DO-ALL Company's historic American tool museum should be arranged in advance by calling the personal director at 824-1122. A pickle factory once stood on this spot. 33. Walk south on Laurel Ave. to Harding Ave. Proceed west on Harding to Western Ave. Walk south on Western to the former Chicago and Northwestern R.R. "Commuter station at Washington St. and Western Ave. Though now a warehouse for a wholesale onion business, this station once stood in the center of Des Plaines from approximately 1856 to 1912 and served as Des Plaines' main R.R. depot. 34. Walk south to Brown St. Proceed along Brown St. east to 1329 Brown St. This circa 1900 frame structure was originally the home of the Arthur Minnich family. Mr. Minnich, an accomplished musician, headed one of Des Plaines' all-time favorite musical groups "The Hungry Five". Mr. Minnich also preformed in the famed C&NWR.R. Company Band during the 1920s and 30s. Mr. Minnich's daughter Hazel, still lives in this home. 18. Continue along Brown St. to Graceland Ave. Turn south and proceed along Graceland to the N.W. corner of Graceland and Miner St. View the former site of Des Plaines' first library which stood on the area of land now occupied by the present day Civic center parking lot just west of the Police Department. The library was built with a grant of $5,000 obtained from Andrew Carnegie in 1906. 19. Carefully cross Miner St. and the R.R. tracks and walk south to Webford and Graceland. 20. View two of Des Plaines' former postoffice buildings on the S.W. and N.W. Corners of Webford and Graceland.

21. From this point walkers will repeat site #'s 21., 22., 23. and 24. from Historic 22• Hike #1. Complete your hike at the Des 23. Plaines Historical Society Museum. 24.

NOTES

Des Plaines 1835 Sesquicentennial 1985 Historical Hike Hike #3 41/2 Miles in Length 1. Start hike #3 at the Kinder Home (Des Plaines Historical Society). Constructed in 1906 as a residence for Benjamin Franklin Kinder, the founder of Des Plaines' oldest extant business. The museum, which was originally located at 777 Lee St., is an excellent example of the turn-of-the-century country home, rich in natural woods, period glass and hardware. The period rooms of the museum are geared to the 1900-10 period in Des Plaines and illustrate ways of life that are gone forever. The Kinder home now serves as the focal point of Des Plaines' rich heritage. 35. Proceed west across intersection at Prairie and Pearson to the N.W. corner of the intersection. This is one of the former sites of St. Mary's Church (1936). 36. Walk south to the S.W.corner of Prairie and Pearson St. View the 1906-07 St. Mary's Church (now a rectory), which replaced the small wooden mission church which once stood on Thacker St. just east of Central School. The new St. Mary,s Church on Pearson St. was constructed in 1970. 37. Proceed west on Prairie Ave. to Center St. Turn south and walk to the historic Hoffman "Log Cabin" at 796 Center St. This magnificent home was constructed in 1924-26 by Peter Hoffman (born 1863), a prominent civil servant who served as both Coroner and latter, Sheriff of Cook County. Mr. Hoffman

was also a noted sportsman and this unique "northwoods" style cabin reflects his love of nature and the sporting life. 38. Proceed south on Center St. to Thacker St. Turn west on Thacker and walk to the corner of Thacker and Lee Streets. View the present day Immanuel Lutheran Church. This church, built in 1956-7, replaced the congregation's old red brick church, built in 1876. 39. By looking northwest, one can view the Immanuel Lutheran School. The original school was erected in 1901 and destroyed by fire in 1918. A new school was constructed during the same year. Later expansion occured in 1930, when the addition facing Lee St. was completed. 40. Walk east on Thacker St. approximately twothree blocks to Central Park, the former site of the first Maine Township Highschool (built 1902), and later, Thacker Jr. High. 41. Walk east on Thacker St. to 1603 Thacker. This is the present day home of Mrs. Savenna Ahbe Gorsline, the first "Miss Des Plaines" (1924), and a lifelong resident of historic Des Plaines. This lovely white frame home was constructed in 1899 by Mrs. Gorsline's parents. 42. Proceed east to the corner of Thacker St. and River Rd. Turn south and walk 11/2 blocks to Ashland Ave. Looking east, view Spiegler Park. The park is dedicated to Victor L. Spiegler (1898-1954), a prominent civic leader. This park was once the site of Des Plaines original water pumping station. 43. Directly across the Des Plaines River one is able to view part of the Northwestern Park forest preserve. This area of land was formerly the most popular picnic area

in Des Plaines during the late 19th and early 20th Century. It was not at all unusual to find thousands of weekend tourists from Chicago picnicking at this beautiful park at the turn-of-the-century. 44. Proceed south on River Rd. to 1086 River. This historic brick structure (built Ca. 1870), was once the home of the Benjamin Poyer family, one of the important families of early Des Plaines. 45. Continue south on River Rd. five blocks to the intersection of River Rd. and Algonquin Rd. Cross River Rd. to the S.E. corner of the intersection. View the newly restored home of former Des Plaines mayor Charles S. Stewart. Stewart served as Mayor of Des Plaines in 1928-29 and was, by all accounts one of the community's most popular civic servants. 46. Walk east one block to the Joseph Jefferson Bridge (read historical plaque on the west end of bridge) which crosses the historic 47. Des Plaines River. The river was formed some 10,000 years ago by retreating glaciers. It was the Des Plaines River that first attracted settlers to this area in the 1830s. 48. While standing on the north side of bridge, (look both ways when crossing), view the old Methodist Campground on the east bank of the river. This "camp" was originally established on the property of Socrates Rand, near the Rand Rd. bridge on the Des Plaines River to the north. In 1865, the campground was relocated at this pastoral location. The Methodist Campground commemorated it's 125th Anniversary in 1985.

49. Return to River Rd., cross to the west side of the street. Proceed south to River Drive and cross River Rd. at this point. Please cross carefully! Walk east along River Dr. until you can view Shagbark Lake. This "lake" was originally the site of the "claypit" of the Whitcomb Brick and Tile Manufacturing Co., established in 1868. The Whitcomb Co. employed over 100 men at it's peak and shipped up to 3,000,000 bricks each year to communities surrounding Des Plaines. 50. Return to River Rd. via the same route. Cross River Rd. at this point (carefully!), Proceed south to the N.W. corner of River Rd. and Oakton St. View the S.E. corner of the intersection. This was the former site of Luther Jefferson's grist mill. Built in 1841, this mill helped assure the continued development of Des Plaines as an agricultural settlement. By 1860, Jefferson was handling some 50,000 bushels of grain and 10,000 bushels of flour a year. 51. Cross Oakton St. and continue along the west side of River Rd. south approximately two blocks to Riverview Ave. Looking east from this vantage point, view the headquarters of Schawk, Inc. This restored building was once the "home" of the Jones Woolen Mill. Constructed during the 1890s, this building once stood three stories in height. 52. Continue south on River Rd. three blocks to Cedar Court. Cross River Rd. at this point (carefully) and walk down the gravel drive of the Des Plaines chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, a national Conservation organization formed in 1926. View the former Jefferson family Woodside Farm home, constructed Ca. 1856-60. The home was built by Hiram Jefferson, a prom-

inent early settler and prairie farmer. This handsome residence has been built on a glacial ridge and is considered to be one of the most historically, and cultulurally important structures in Maine Township. 53. Return to the west side of River Rd. at Cedar Ct. Proceed north on River Rd. to Oakton St. Turn west after crossing Oakton and walk approximately five blocks to Cora St. Walk north on Cora approximately eight blocks to Henry St and Cora St. View the Christ United Church of Christ. This church is directly decended from the Christ German Evangelical Church which was built on this site in 1892. 54. Walk north on Cora St. approximately one block to 1046 Cora. This magnificent home was constructed near the turn-of-thecentury by Charles Hammerl. Hammerl later served as Mayor of Des Plaines in 1929-33. Continue north on Cora St. to Thacker St. Turn west on Thacker, walk 1/2 block to Pearson St. Walk north on Pearson to the Des Plaines Historical Society and the end of your hike. NOTES

Des Plaines Churches Historically Speaking By Philip Lindahl - City of Des Plaines Christ Church, United Church of Christ The Christ German Evangelical Church of DesPlaines (now Christ Church, United Church of Christ), was first established in 1869. The initial church structure was built at Cora and Henry Streets. In 1964, the present day church was erected and dedicated to the glory of God. Christian Reformed Church In the early 1900s the Christian Reformed denomination was well esteblished on the south side of Chicago, but there were no groups north of Madison St. Hollanders in the northwest suburbs would travel by buggy or auto for hours to attend church in Cicero or Chicago. The first services held in Des Plaines were hosted by the American Legion Hail on Pearson St. (now the Des Plaines Mall parking lot). Later, larger facilities were acquired at the Hoffman Hall, 1517 Ellinwood St. A basement church building was dedicated on November 19, 1931, with the superstructure added and dedicated on September 25, 1952 at 1479 Whitcomb Ave. Christian Science Society The Christian Science Society was organized in May, 1918 in Des Plaines where services were held in a rented facility in the center of town. During the year a sunday school was organized and a reading room was opened. In August, 1919, the Society was incorporated as the First Church of Christ Science in Des Plaines. The present site at Laurel and Marion Streets was purchased in September 1920, with the corner stone laying in July, 1925, and dedication in April 1947 when the church was

paid for. Des Plaines Bible Church The Des Plaines Bible Church was born on a cool November Sunday morning in 1926, when Walter Faust, an architect, invited a number of youngsters to meet in his living room for bible study. the group grew in number, and on September 2, 1928 moved into a church building at the present address of 946 Thacker St. The present day church was dedicated in September, 1973. Evangelical Free Church of Des Plaines The Evangelical Free Church of Des Plaines has it's roots in the Salem Evangelical Free Church in Chicago. About twenty-five years ago several families moved into the suburbs and began meeting together to study God's word on Wednesday nights. On February 21, 1964, Sunday services began, and later that year services were held in Devonshire Elementary School. On January 14, 1968 the current property was purchased and meetings were held in the farm house on the property. The new church was dedicated on December 17, 1972, at 55 W. Oakton St. First Congregational Church The Congregationalist's of Des Plaines can trace thier origins back to the 1840s and a tiny prairie church located on Smith's Ridge some six miles S.E. of Des Plaines. By 1869, a small group of individuals formed the Des Plaines Congregational Church. In 1872, a brick church was built on the southwest corner of Prairie St. and Graceland Ave. This church served well until 1929, when a massive new church was constructed at Graceland and Marion. First United Methodist Church The first religious services of any kind in the Des Plaines area were conducted in the fall of 1836 by a young Methodist circuit rider who is remembered today simply as Mr. Colson.

It was not until 1871, that twenty Methodist families in Des Plaines combined to form and then build thier own brick church on Lee St. where the Immanuel Lutheran Church now stands. In 1884 a new church was built at Lee St. and Park Place and served until 1950 when thier present church was built on the N.W. corner of Prairie Ave and Graceland Methodist Campgrounds The first meetings were held on land owned by Socrates Rand along the bank of the Des Plaines river near the present day Rand Rd. bridge in 1860. In 1865 land was purchased at the campground's present location on Algonquin Rd. east of the Des Plaines river. This is the oldest continuously operated Methodist Campground in the U.S.A. Immanuel Lutheran Church The origins of Immanuel Lutheran Church can be traced back to the short lived German Evangelical Lutheran St. Stephen's congregation which was organized in 1868. Unfortunately, St. Stephen's was destined to survive for only a short time - until 1871. One week after it's demise, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Immanuel was organized. The first church was built in 1876 and replaced by the present church in 1956. This structure was dedicated in 1957 and is located at Lee St. and Thacker St. St. Martin's Episcopal Church Episcopalians are mentioned in Des Plaines' history as early as 1837 and are represented by such family names as; Rand, Kennicott, Deerlove, Thacker, Jefery and Kinder. But it was not until after W.W.II that Des Plaines was considered as a fertile field for an Episcopal Church. Prayer meetings and fellowship gatherings were initially held in the home of Harrison "Tat" Kennicott Sr. at 1599 Thacker St. about 1947. In June , 1950, ground

was broken for a new church at Thacker and Margret Streets. Dedication occured during the Christmas season by Bishop Wallace E. Conklin of Chicago. One of the traditions of St. Martin's is the Shove Tuesday pancake supper. The recipe for the "sourdough" pancakes was brought back from Alaska by noted area naturalist and explorer, Robert Kennicott. St. Mary's Catholic Church A small wooden mission church was brought to Des Plaines from Arlington Hts by R.R. flat car in 1880 to serve as the first St. Mary's Church. The structure once stood near the present day Central School on Thacker St. This building was replaced by a brick building in 1906-07. A new church was built at 794 Pearson St. in 1970. Trinity Lutheran Church Initial meetings were held in the "old" Masonic Temple at Miner St. and Lee St. By May, 1926, the congregation was organized and was meeting in a storefront building on Ellinwood St. More space was needed and the congregation moved to the American Legion Hall on Pearson St. where the Des Plaines Mall parking lot is now located. A lot was purchased on Rose Ave. near Second Ave. where a portable chapel was erected in 1927. In 1939, the First Congregational Church at Graceland and Prairie was purchased. NOTES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Des Plaines Historical Society City of Des Plaines Des Plaines Sesquicentennial Commission Resarch:DonldS.Js James R. Williams Philip Lindahl The 1984-85 Heritage Roundtable, Deis Plaines Historical Society Typing:

Anna Sorlie

Graphics: Henry McAlevy Patch Design: Jim Acker, 1974 "Citizenship Award" Mike Provenzano, 1979 "Deis Plaines Historical Hike" Special Thanks: Jim Acker, Troop 12 B.S.A. Mike Provenzano, Troop 22 B.S.A.

Please Note!! Respect the property of others Protect your environment - don't litter! Please cross all street in a safe manner