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The Historical Society has benefited greatly from our membership card sponsors over these last few years, and for that we are grateful. We truly do care about them, and when
A Sad Note About Our Sponsor… Read More »
As we enter the last few months of the year, it’s also time to renew our memberships. This year has been a tremendous year for our membership perks including early
Your Membership Makes History Possible! Read More »
Thatcher Road on the west side of town is named after the Thatcher family. Samuel and Eldred Thatcher came to Downers Grove in the late 1830’s. Eldred spent his life
What’s in a Name? Thatcher Road Read More »
Downers Grove historian Lois Sterba has called the village home since arriving in 1991. Born in Chicago and raised in Cicero, Illinois, she studied history at the University of Illinois
Lois Sterba – Downers Grove Historian Read More »
The Downers Grove Historical Society reached a new milestone in September with the Historic Home Program approval of the Mergenthal Building at 1015 Maple Avenue. Constructed in 1881, it is
Making History on Maple Avenue: The Mergenthal Building Recognized Read More »
The Holmes’ Little Library with a Big Connection to Downers Grove History What happens when a love of books, architecture, history and road trips comes together with some impressive woodworking
The Story of the Little Free Carnegie Library Read More »
1015 Maple Avenue: More Than 140 Years of Downers Grove History For nearly a century and a half, the modest frame building at 1015 Maple Avenue has stood witness to
The Mergenthal Building Read More »
Sometimes, a community business becomes a town’s anchor. For 111 years, that place was Mochel’s Hardware on Main St. Charles Mochel and business partner Levi Mertz initially opened the store
Born May 3, 1931 in Dixon, Illinois, John was 78-year resident of Downers Grove. Breen was a hospital pharmacist for 40 years but was always interested in the past. John
Theodore Malacha was from DuPage County and born on September 22, 1917. He graduated from Downers Grove Community High School in 1934. Sgt. Malacha was a gunner assigned to the
Seargent Theodore L. Malacha Read More »
