Belmont Prairie
Belmont Prairie was recognized as the 2024 Historic Site of the Year on ceremony on August 24, 2024. This prairie represents the way pioneers saw Downers Grove in 1832 when […]
Historic Site
The Historic Site award is a recognition awarded annually by the Downers Grove Historical Society
Belmont Golf Club
The Belmont Golf Club was the first 9-hole golf course west of the Appalachians. The club was recognized as the Historic Site of the Year for 2023 by the Downers
Girl Scout Cabin at Maple Grove Forest Preserve
The former Girl Scouts Cabin in the Maple Grove Forest Preserve was the inspiration of John “Daddy” Wells. John, as a prominent resident of Downers Grove, was concerned about the
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Downer Burial Ground
History of Downer Burial Ground Located on a small piece of ground that once was part of the original land owned by Pierce Downer, the founder of Downers Grove,
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Grant E. Dicke Fire Station
The first fire station, Fire Station #1, was built in 1928 and remained the only fire station until Fire Station #2 was built in 1953 at Main and Summit. It
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Main Street Cemetery
In 1856, Samuel Curtiss donated part of his sheep pasture for use as a cemetery. He was later paid $15 for the land, money from individuals who formed a cemetery
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Penner Building
This building, which was built circa 1894, represents a part of the early history of Downers Grove. Conrad Penner was born in Germany in 1862 and came to America as
Underground Railroad Monument
As early as the 1830’s enslaved persons made their way to freedom crossing through Illinois on their way north to Canada. They traveled on the Underground Railroad. Downers Grove historians
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Fairview Train Station
The landmarked Fairview Train Station was constructed in 1916 and was designed and built by the staff of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad replacing the first station built in
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Mochel Hardware Store
Levi Mertz and Charles Mochel constructed the original building at 36 S Main (later renumbered 5122 Main Street), where the two partners opened their business, Mertz & Mochel, on June
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