HM History Vault

A tribute to local heroes By Larry Atseff A patriot is someone who loves, supports, and defends one’s country. From the Revolutionary War until today, men and women have loved this country enough to serve in the military. They are patriots. This is the story of eight military members who served in World War II…

By Larry Atseff Kathy Maher, up until June 2021, was the President of the Oak Brook Historical Society. She has been a volunteer since 1978, shortly after the group began in 1975. Since being elected President in 2006, she has served as primary curator of the history of Oak Brook. Eventually, she is moving away,…

Complete with intricate stone carvings and collaborative music performances By Larry Atseff Recently, Lizzadro Museum Director Dorothy Asher arranged for the first United States exhibit of fourteen beautifully carved agate cameos from Germany’s Roth-Cameo Studio, portraying Faust’s adventures. Agate is a variety of quartz and is naturally banded in color. Agate along with shell is…

Designed in 1894, had no legal protection from demolition for redevelopment. It will be restored and protected with a preservation easement by new preservation-minded buyers. By HM staff Thanks to efforts led by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, Hinsdale preservationists and Landmarks Illinois, the Frederick Bagley House in Hinsdale, Illinois, will be restored by…

Comiskey and Veeck Family Connections to Hinsdale – Part 2 By Larry Atseff Charley Comiskey II and Hinsdale Charley, as his friends called him, moved with his wife, Donna Jo, to Hinsdale in 1952. They lived at 8th and South County Line Road, and eventually moved to 8th and Park. After Charley sold his share…

Chicago Water Tower and Chicago Avenue Pumping Station – 806 N. Michigan Ave. “The flames from this time spread with such rapidity that the whole neighborhood for blocks around became a ‘sea of fire’, thus at about 3 o’clock in the morning of the 9th of October the pumping works became an utter wreck, nothing…

Having fun with Fords By HM staff In the mid-1940’s, when cars were still sharing the road with street cars and an occasional horse, in downtown Chicago, on Lake Street, Bill Stynoski set up a garage where owners of motor vehicles could park their cars and also have them serviced while they went to work…

Comedian Kevin Bozeman serves up lots of laughs By Valerie Hardy Stand-up comedian Kevin Bozeman and his family live in Downers Grove, and while some locals know him as neighbor and friend, for many, Bozeman became a household name after his performances at the Tivoli Theatre to benefit the Roadrunners soccer club. Bozeman has been…

See authentic re-enactments of battle scenes from the Civil War, WWII and Vietnam By Larry Atseff For the past 15 years, the Lockport Park District has been host for two days of authentic battle reenactments from the Civil War, World War II, and Vietnam. On this weekend, as many as 25,000 will attend, including veterans.…