BETWEEN RURAL AND SUBURBAN: THE ALBERT HARTMANN HOME

 

Many of those who grew up in Schaumburg Township during the early years of development fondly remember a bucolic combination of farms and subdivisions. It was nice to live in a modern house with all of the conveniences, yet also live in an area with a rural feel to it.

Even into the 1980s there were still a number of farms and fields sprinkled around the area. Some were large working farms run by gentleman farmers who had bought into the area during the 1930s and 40s. Others were still owned by the German Lutheran families who had come to Schaumburg Township in the 1800s and had continued to reside there as development happened around them. They were reluctant to leave their land and their tradition.

One of these was the family led by Heinrich and Mary (Hasemann) Hartmann who married in 1863 and established a farm on the northwest corner of Wise (Wiese) and Rodenburg Roads. It was a large, prosperous farm and, according to the First One Hundred Years At St. John Lutheran Church written by Larry Nerge, Heinrich divided his 1200 acres in 1915 when he retired. Six of his children received 160 acres and the youngest received the remaining eighty.

Fred, or “Fritz” as he was called, was the oldest son and lived on the family farm with his wife, Caroline “Lena” (Kruse) Hartmann. According to Mr. Nerge’s document, they had eight children, one of whom was a young man named Albert. When Albert married his wife, Mabel Berlin, on January 30, 1937 in the parsonage at St. John Lutheran Church, they moved to Elgin where they lived for a year.

The following year, in 1938, they moved to this home near the southeast corner of Wise (Wiese) and Rodenburg Roads, diagonal from the farm where Albert’s parents lived. It was a parcel of 13 1/2 acres with a house, barn, chicken house and garden. There they raised three daughters and, subsequently, named it the Be-Ba-Bo Farm after those same daughters.

Albert, shown here at his home, worked for 27 years at the Roselle Farmer’s Lumber Company where he eventually served as their president. In 1953 he sought office as the Schaumburg Township Collector. From an article in the April 2, 1953 issue of the Daily Herald, he noted that “It is due to my present inability to engage in heavy work that I have decided to seek the job. I will appreciate the support of voters assuring them that I will have the the time to give the office the attention that it  may need.”Mr. Hartmann won the election and set up office on the porch of his home, hidden behind the windows in this photo. He performed this duty for 16 years.

In an article after his death in 1994, this statement was made by Schaumburg Township Republican Committeeman Donald L. Totten. “He was very active in the Republican party and served as one of my precinct captains…. At the time he was active in politics, he was considerably older than his counterparts, so he would spin tales about what had gone on here before it was named Schaumburg.”

Sharon Kimble, director of administrative services of Schaumburg Township, also said in the article that he was so actively involved in the village of Schaumburg for so many years, that the Campanelli Brothers who developed the Weathersfield subdivision, named Hartmann Drive for his family.

Hartmann Drive is located off Braintree Drive. According to Beverly Graham, Albert’s daughter, Braintree was originally the driveway for the original Hartmann farm.

Albert and Mabel’s home faced west on Rodenburg Road.

They were also north and west of the Centex Industrial Park that was essentially developed in their own backyard. You can see the Village of Schaumburg water tower in the industrial park on the other side of their small acreage.

The Hartmanns sold their home in 1987 to Town and Country, the developers, who erected a townhouse community called Wellington Court in its place in 1989.

This view, though, looking east beyond the garden of the Hartmann home, is exemplary of the wonderful meshing of rural and suburban life that so many grew up with in the early days of development in Schaumburg Township. Between the gardens, the fields and the two-lane rural roads, it gave the residents a lovely touch of days gone by.

Jane Rozek
Local History Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library
jrozek@stdl.org

Many thanks to John Graham who reached out and passed on these photos of the home where his grandparents, Albert and Mabel Hartmann, raised his mother and her sisters. It has been a delight to discover more about the Hartmann family and share these family photos.

F&S CONSTRUCTION BRINGS HOFFMAN ESTATES TO SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP

FINEST IMPROVEMENT IN SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP IN 100 YEARS

$35,000,000 DEVELOPMENT

HOFFMAN HOMES BEAUTIFUL AT HIGGINS AND ROSELLE ROADS

A Specially Planned Community With Good Streets, Deep Water, Schools, Churches, Playgrounds, Sewers, Shopping Center

(You, your wife and children will be delighted with it)

__________________________________________________________________

These were the words in the headline of an ad that appeared in the March 24, 1955 issue of the Daily Herald. Hoffman Homes was coming to the area and they were looking for interested homeowners for their development.

To get out in front of the development and the potential demand, F & S Construction of 300 W. Washington St. in Chicago posed ten questions in their ad. These questions were largely for the farming residents of Schaumburg Township to allay their fears regarding the coming development.

They addressed such issues as the budget for the development, why Schaumburg Township was selected, details on the builder, water and sewer needs, the effect of taxes on the development and the types of houses to be built.

Question 1: Where will this money be spent?

Answer: Most of the money would be spent on land, local labor, materials, supplies, appliances, household furnishings and needs, food, clothing, shelter, farm vegetables, dairy products, etc.

Question 2: Would you rather have unattractive houses mushroom around your area (these destroy your values and increase your taxes) or a beautiful planned development near you which increases the value of your farm?

Answer: This question was obviously geared towards the local farmers who might be looking at new neighbors who were coming or at the possibility of selling their farms. The response strongly encouraged the farmers to consider the upside of a nice-looking development near their property.

Question 3: Why was Schaumburg Township selected?

Answer: The beautiful countryside community was unspoiled and the plan was to extend Higgins Road and rename it Northwest Highway. (This was obviously before Route 14 became known as Northwest Highway.)

Question 4: Who will be your new neighbors and is there a demand for these houses?

Answer: The developer was hoping to appeal to people who currently resided in Chicago and might be looking for a nice community that would be close to the burgeoning commercial and industrial development in the north and west areas outside of the city.

They also stipulated that preference would be given to veterans, local farmers, businessman such as lawyers, doctors,  and junior executives as well as highly skilled artisans, white collar workers and others earning in the range of $6500 and $15,000 and upwards.

Question 5: What immediate benefit will the Schaumburg citizen derive?

Answer: Employment would be available for local citizens interested in working with the builder for the three years that they anticipated the development to take. A shopping center(s) would be built with access to a grocer, baker, beauty parlor, butcher, barber, drug store, gas station, variety store, women’s and menswear, hardware, etc. Preference would be given to local merchants.

Other amenities would be recreational facilities, playgrounds, parks, both public and parochial schools, churches, medical facilities, and a central sewage system available to others.

Also discussed was the increase in property values with a higher class development.

Question 6: How will your taxes be affected?

Answer: It was stipulated that the builder and not the township would pay for the cost of new schools and community facilities. They made it clear that these amenities and the cost of the sewers and water system would not be taxed to any local farm or the township.

They also explained that the state and federal government at the time were also stepping in to cover some of these costs for new developments. It was mentioned that Eisenhower had favored an appropriation of $500,000,00 to assist the states.

It was also expected that the new homeowners and their taxes would cover the costs of these new amenities coming to the area. Through the many new assessed householders, it was expected that the taxes of the local farmers would actually decrease.

Question 7: Will [the] Township have to assume any burden as to sewage and water?

Answer: A private utility company will be incorporated to construct and operate a city-type, sewage disposal plant and water system. The disposal plant would be built under the purview of the state and county health departments. The system would not contaminate local creeks and the water system would be regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission.

 

Question 8: Will [the] community water system affect present (private) shallow wells?

Answer: The wells that would be tapped for the coming development would be much deeper and tap a completely different water supply than those used by the local farming contingent. The water system would also include a network of fire hydrants for the homeowners.

Question 9: What types of houses will be built?

Answer: Brick ranches with all modern conveniences that would be 42 feet wide and 28 feet deep with a total area of 1176 square feet. Each home would have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The homes would cost between $15,000 and $20,000.

There would be no traffic congestion as the streets within the development would absorb most of the traffic, with very few streets opening onto local highways. Also, every home would have a driveway that would allow for off street parking.

Question 10: Who is the builder?

Answer: F&S Construction Company. S. Hoffman, father and Jack Hoffman, son. According to the January 1955 issue of House and Home Magazine, they were one of the country’s largest builders.

They had built 12,000 homes in the last 8 years in 17 different communities located in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.

In addition, two model homes would be erected for those who were interested in the development.

By February 16, 1956 the Daily Herald was reporting that Mr. and Mrs. John Dytkos, “owners of the first home built in Hoffman Estates” had moved into their home in Parcel A with their sons John Jr., Gerrick and Jeffrey. It took less than a year to fulfill the promises of F&S Construction. Hoffman Estates was on its way!

Jane Rozek
Local History Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library
jrozek@stdl.org

DOING BUSINESS AT THE HOFFMAN ESTATES VILLAGE HALL

Our guest contributor this week is Pat Barch, the Hoffman Estates Historian. This column originally appeared in the May 2020 issue of the Hoffman Estates Citizen, the village’s newsletter. The column appears here, courtesy of the Village of Hoffman Estates.

After our incorporation in 1959, the Hoffman Estates Homeowner’s Association turned over the deed to the Hammerstein property, a 100 year old renovated farm house once owned by Arthur Hammerstein and his wife Dorothy Dalton. It became our first village hall.

There weren’t many services that could be offered back then. I recall pulling off of Illinois Boulevard into the small parking area to pay my water bill or to purchase my vehicle sticker. It was just a gravel covered parking area with a few gas pumps and an open shed area behind the farmhouse that housed the few road maintenance trucks and police cars.

The large white building looked like a typical farmhouse. Once inside the front door, a counter area separated the village staff from the police department that shared the same room. I could take care of any business I had with the police department on the same visit.

The village hall had a working kitchen, the village chambers and an upstairs meeting room that were all offered for community meetings. I don’t recall much else about the early services that were available back then. We were just beginning to become the Hoffman Estates we now know.

As we fast forward to 2020, our 3rd village hall has become a center for community services and celebrations. There are fireworks at Christmas, senior luncheons, Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations and cake and coffee to honor many accomplishments and milestones. But more than that, we serve the citizens of our village with the following list of services.

Clerk’s Office – Business Directory, Business Licensing, Election/Voting information, Notary Services, FOIA Requests and Passport Services.

Code Enforcement – Building Codes, Permits, Environmental Health, Property Maintenance and Residential Rental Licensing

Fire Administration

Finance- Citations, Garbage & Recycling, Real Estate Transfer Stamps and Water Billing.

General Government- Block Parties, Cable TV, Garbage Complaints, Social Media and Special Events

Health & Human Services- Child/Adult/Senior Health Services, Counseling Services, Health Information and Vaccinations.

Human Resources- Employment Opportunities

Planning- Zoning and Commercial and Residential Development.

Transportation/Engineering- Drainage Issues, Taxi Discount Program and Village Road Construction.

Many thanks to our Village Clerk, Bev Romanoff, for the detailed list of services that are offered to the community at the Hoffman Estates Village Hall.

Pat Barch
Hoffman Estates Historian
eagle2064@comcast.net

FROM SCHAUMBURG HOUSE TO THE JOHN FENZ STORE

In the 1850s Heinrich Rohlwing and his wife Wilhelmina built a general store on the southwest corner of Schaumburg and Roselle Roads where the clock tower stands today. They called it Schaumburg House.

Heinrich and Wilhelmina (Freise) ran it together after their marriage at St. Peter’s in 1852. Between 1853 and 1868 they had eight children, three of whom survived into adulthood according, to Larry Nerge’s Founding Families of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

In 1870, at the age of 43, Heinrich died of cancer and was buried at St. Peter’s. Wilhelmine then married Henry Meyer in 1871 and continued to run the store past his death in 1874.

Unfortunately, the store burned to the ground on September 21, 1881. A brief from the Chicago Tribune dated from Elgin, Ill. states “the large general store, warehouse, barn, wagon-shop and blacksmith shop belonging to the Widow Rohlwing, and situated in Schaumberg, Cook County, burned last night, scarcely any of the stock being saved. The fire originated in the barn, seemingly being the work of an incendiary. All the buildings were frame. The loss is from $10,000 to $12,000.”

By the time of the fire, Mrs. Rohlwing’s daughter, Caroline, had married John Fenz in 1877. They had seven children between 1879 and 1899 and had helped Mrs. Rohlwing run the business.

In 1882 John and Caroline stepped in and rebuilt the store, renaming it Schaumburg House. We are secure in the year 1882 because the October 1936 obituary of John/Johann said that he retired after 37 years in the business. Earlier issues of the Daily Herald give 1919 as the year he sold the store. Subtracting 37 from 1919 gives us 1882. His mother-in-law was very likely tired from maintaining the store and overwrought from the fire that leveled it. As a result she turned the corner location over to her daughter and son-in-law.

Once it was rebuilt, the business continued to be all things to all the people of Schaumburg Township. At various times it served as a general store, post office, polling place, dance hall, hardware and tin dealer and farm implement dealer.

In the photo above, according to a “Way Back When” article from the October 7, 1949 issue of the Daily Herald that was specifically written about this store, the first door on the left was the entrance to the general store. The second door on the left was the entrance to the tavern. The door on the right hand corner was the entrance to the dance hall on the second floor.

By zooming in on the photo above, the upper sign on the left says “John Deere Plows.” The lower sign on the left says “Champion Harvesting Machines.” The sign above the middle door says “Schaumburg House.” The words on the right side of the building say “Groceries & Dry Goods, Clothing, Hats & Caps, Boots & Shoes, Tin & Hardware.”

Or, as the October 1936 obituary of John Fenz put it, “He sold them [his friends and neighbors] the supplies for the table, the things to wear, machinery for the field and hardware for the house and barn. It was in the days before paved roads and autos and many a farmer depended upon the service of Mr. Fenz to market his produce. His advice was also frequently called upon in other business problems of his customers.”

And, judging by the people in the photo above, it is suspected that John and Caroline are proudly standing in front of the large front store window to the right. The year is probably 1884 and can be deduced in the following way.

The young girl in the dress is likely Emilie, their second daughter and child who was born in 1880 and died in 1887. Caroline appears to be holding their son, Herman, who was born in 1883. He looks to be between the ages of one and two. John and Caroline’s next child, Hermine, was born in 1885. Since these three were alive together until 1887 when Emilie died, all three would have been in such a proud photo. Since there are only two children in the photo, we have to assume it was taken in 1884, about a year and a half after Herman was born and a year before Hermine was born.

By 1905, the first year that the Daily Herald is available on microfilm, the store was referred to in advertisements as John Fenz & Son. It most likely refers to his first son, Herman but could have also referred to his second son, William, who was born in 1889. We can confirm it was Herman through his January 14, 1944 obituary in the Daily Herald, where it states that “he was a former resident of Schaumburg and some 25 years ago operated a general store there.”

It is also possible that John retired around 1913 when he had this home built by local builder and neighbor, Louis Menke who lived in the Turret House. John would have been 61 years old, having owned the store for 31 years. The home still exists today on East Schaumburg Road, across the road from Lou Malnatis.

By the time this photo was taken in 1913, the Fenz’s had updated the building by adding the front display windows and entrance. Not only did there appear to be a livery, stable or blacksmith shop on the southern side of the building but a telephone pole on the far left also confirmed that phone service was available for residents of Schaumburg Township.

More elaborate gables and an addition on the western edge, with a more formal entrance, were also put in place. It is possible that the far right portion of the building was used as a residence for the Herman Fenz family. Herman had married Emma Pfingsten in 1906 and, in running the store, it might have been more convenient to live on the premises.

In fact, as stated earlier, Herman W. Fenz held onto the business until 1919 when he sold it to Charles E. Hoffman in May of that year. In the Daily Herald of May 9, it states that “H.W. Fenz moved his household effects last week to the John Fenz home.” In addition, it states that Mr. Hoffman hired Edward Dickman to manager the store and his family “will occupy the rooms annexed to the store.” It seems a reasonable assumption that the far western portion of the store was used by both Fenz and Dickman.

For over 60 years a member of the Rohlwing/Fenz family was engaged in running a vital, community gathering space for township residents. Unfortunately, though, the building met the same fate as its predecessor when it caught fire on September, 17 1924, a mere five years after the Fenz family passed on ownership. They may very well have watched the building burn from their home. We can only imagine what a sad day it was.

Jane Rozek
Local History Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library
jrozek@stdl.org

 

A RECAP OF “THE RECORD” FROM JANUARY 19, 1966

This is the fourth in a series of items taken from select issues of The Record which was published every Wednesday at 5 Hoffman Plaza in Hoffman Estates. The newspaper covered all of Schaumburg Township. Copies were lent to me by Jack Netter, whose mother wrote for the paper. Unique, interesting articles, ads and press releases will be shared below. This issue is dated January 19, 1966.

• Mayor Roy Jenkins of Hoffman Estates said that a village manager was about six weeks away from reality after the village board passed a village manager form of government at their most recent meeting.
• “Hoffman Estates this week received numerous reports of children sledding in the streets after dark.”
• It was announced by Mayor Bob Atcher of Schaumburg that the unofficial population of Schaumburg had moved up from 3300 people in 1962 to 6425 after a recent special census was conducted.
  
• The Schaumburg State Bank posted their 1965 Statement of Condition by their Board of Directors and Officers. The following people served: Ward A. Weaver, President; A. Harold Anderson, director; Robert O. Atcher, director; Grace S. Nelson, cashier; Frank C. Wiley, director; Paul W. Brandel, director; T. Anderson, director.
• Mrs. Fred Downey of Hoffman Estates made a request to the village board that they consider installing street lights throughout the village. She had taken the initiative and talked to Commonwealth Edison herself and was told that, to put a pole at each intersection, would cost each homeowner approximately $3.70 a year. “This amount would cover the cost of putting in the lines and the electricity.” Interestingly, the poles were installed at no charge. According to her calculations, 237 poles would be needed.
  
• The land that would one day become Spring Valley and the surrounding neighborhoods was annexed by the village of Schaumburg. A gravel pit was proposed on the site. The village annexed two pieces of property around it and then the 20-acre site itself. Sixty acres of the property annexed was owned by Frank P. Merkle (shown above at his cabin) and the remaining 30 acres was owned jointly by Peter and Steven Ciolac.
• The District 211 board raised the starting salary of its teachers from $5500 to $5600 per year to bring the district in line with surrounding school districts.
  
• Three more trucks were donated to the young village of Schaumburg by F.W. Means Co., a towel firm. Two of the trucks would be used by Public Works and the other would be used as a Civil Defense rescue vehicle.
• Bids would be opened for proposed addition to Conant High School at a special meeting of the board.
• The Hoffman Estates Jaycees posted a special, one page ad looking for men who were interested in “working together for a better community.” An invitation in the ad said, “MEN! If you would like to learn more about how YOU can play an active role in building a better community, plan to attend our “Smoker.” It’s especially for YOU. February 9, at 8:30 p.m. Maitre D’ Restaurant. FREE! Refreshments, entertainment, good company, and information. For more information call Ed Ness at 529-7084.” The Jaycees also thanked the following community minded sponsors:
  Ken’s Marathon
  Bel Air Awnings
  Hoffman Estates Liquors
  Balas Rug & Furniture Co.
  Snyder’s Drugs
  Hoffman Currency Exchange
  Twinbrook House & Garden
  Higgins & Golf Food Mart
  Village Citgo
  Schaumburg Transportation
  Ed’s Sinclair
  Hoffman Estates Car Wash
  Gene’s Marathon
  V & G Mower & Bicycle
  Robert Hall Clothes
  Hoffman Home Values Real Estate
  Roselle State Bank
  Barth Realty
  Estates Heating Service
  Northwest Printing Service
  Peters & Paul Texaco Service
  Tri City Ace Hardware
  Irene’s Dining Room
  B&K Realty
  Rental Supply Company
  Rayon Plumbing & Heating
  Golden Acres Country Club
  M’Gonigle & Sloan Insurance
• Rental Supply at 16 E. Schaumburg Road was advertising the following items available for rent to “beat ol’ man winter”: space heaters, heat guns (for frozen pipes), butane heat torches, salamander heaters, electric portable heaters, sump pumps, generators.
• The village of Hoffman Estates annexed 40 acres north of the Illinois Tollway known as the Lang Farm and part of the Howie-In-The-Hills projected development. The attorney for the project pointed out that the property was included in the original development package but had been excluded through “negligence on my part” and the annexation papers had never been submitted.
  
• The 1st annual dance by the The Village Party was scheduled for Saturday, January 22 at Golden Acres Country Club (shown here in more recent times) beginning at 9:00 p.m. Music would be provided by King Jarris and his orchestra. Donation was $1 and tickets were available from the following precinct captains: Lou DeLito, George Piers, Larry Koontz, Bill Hanson, Don Martin, Paul Kiczula, Dick Thompson, Joe Ryan, Herb Keesee, Dick Moon, Bud Bartosch, John Leonard and Harry Hubenthal.
  
• The Schaumburg Village Board was planning to protest a possible selection of a 160-acre parcel by Jr. College District 301 in the heart of the Schaumburg Industrial Park, in the northeast part of the village. The site was part of the Rathje Farm that was on the northeast corner of Golf and Plum Grove Roads.
• The following local businesses were looking for new employees: a saleslady at Golf-Rose Bakery, part-time cashier at Robert Hall Clothes and female help to work as wires, solderers and light assemblers at the new Motorola plant the Route 53 and Northwest Highway in the Sellstrom Industrial Park in Palatine.

I have two questions for the readers:

1.  Where was the Maitre D’ restaurant where the Jaycees were planning to meet?
2. Where was Rental Supply located at 16 E. Schaumburg Road? Was it in the old Schaumburg Bank building on the northeast corner of Schaumburg and Roselle Roads?

Thank you for for your help and for reading!

Jane Rozek
Local History Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library
jrozek@stdl.org

 

 

 

THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND CHURCHES OF 1965 SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP: PART 2

The December 1, 1965 issue of The Record which was published every Wednesday at 5 Hoffman Plaza in Hoffman Estates, yielded a nice surprise.  This newspaper covered all of Schaumburg Township and was lent to me by Jack Netter, whose mother wrote for the paper. A huge portion of this particular issue included a “Who’s What In Hoffman and Schaumburg” and was referred to as The Record’s Annual Community Service Directory. This is Part 2 and includes the latter half of the alphabet. 

• Independence Day Committee. 1960. Purpose is to provide a traditional July 4th celebration for members of the Hoffman-Schaumburg community. The committee strives to make the celebration day-long, safe and patriotic. Robert Broadstock, Chairman.
• Mental Health Clinic. 1961. Purpose is to provide psychiatric care for patients in Schaumburg Township and other surrounding towns. [With the resignation of Donald Ruby from the Hoffman-Schaumburg chapter, the local chapter is currently inactive. Former Hoffmanite, Mrs. D.E. Ellison, was the first president of the clinic.]
• Neighborhood Block Clubs. 1964. Purpose is to enable neighbors to know each other, to help one another, to participate and understand community problems and projects and to enjoy fellowship. [Idea originated with Irwin Miller of the Lafayette Highlanders and now includes the Duplex Dwellers Club.] Irwin Miller, Contact Person.
• Our Saviour’s Methodist Church. 1958. Organizations within the church were The Women’s Society of Christian Service, Youth Group, Choirs. Rev. Donald Niswander, Pastor.
• Prince of Peace Choir. 1958. Purpose is to render beauty to the church service and perform the liturgical music on Sunday. Glenn Brisson, Director.
• Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. 1957. The congregation, second largest in Schaumburg Township, currently worships in its building on Illinois Blvd. in Hoffman Estates. Completion of the new church building in March 1966. Rev. E.D. Paape, Pastor.
• Prince of Peace Women of the Church. 1958. Purpose is to help the individual to grow in faith and to offer service to church and community. June Simonson, President.
• Record, The. 1962. Purpose is to render a unique service to the Hoffman Estates-Schaumburg community by producing a newspaper that devotes its full interest to that community consistently, comprehensively and impartially… John P. Reedy, Editor.
• St. Hubert Catholic Church. 1959. From 1956 to 1959, the parish was known as St. Theresa Mission Church. Enrolled in the parish today are approximately 2000 families in Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. Nine masses are read each Sunday. It is the largest religious body in Schaumburg Township and operates an elementary school for 800 children, staffed by Felician nuns and lay teachers. Completion in 1967 of a new church building. Rev. Leo Wincek, Pastor.
• St. Hubert Choir. 1960. Purpose is to sing the liturgy of the regular Roman Catholic service. James Betchkal, Director.
• St. Hubert Council of Catholic Women. Purpose is to inspire members and enrich their lives through spiritual growth, fulfill the need for sociability and to contact new people in the community and to assist them and all others in time of sickness or tragedy.
• St. Hubert Holy Name Society. 1959. Purpose is to carry on the work of the church, for spiritual advancement of the individual and of the parish, to assist the pastor in parish projects, both social and financial. Matthew Einecker, President.
• St. John United Church of Christ. 1846. Organizations include the Women’s Guild and choir. Rev. Lorin E. Harrison, Pastor.
• St. Peter Choir. 1956. Purpose is to beautify the church services with liturgical music. Paul Aufdemberge, President.
• St. Peter Ladies Aid. 1906. Purpose is to promote the Kingdom of God both at home and at large, and the furtherance of Christian fellowship. The society is an organ of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Schaumburg. Mrs. Alex Oman, President.
• St. Peter Lutheran Church. 1847. The congregation, third largest in Schaumburg Township, worships in a church built in 1863. The original chapel, built in 1848, houses a collection of historical artifacts and data from the beginning of the church and township. Rev. John R. Sternberg, Pastor.
• St. Peter Men’s Club. 1946. Purpose is to support the church and to experience continuing spiritual growth and Christian fellowship. The club is an organ of St. Peter Lutheran Church. James Clark, President.
• Schaumburg Boys Baseball League. 1961. Purpose is to provide a healthy sport that can help teach the boys clean living, sportsmanship, loyalty and promote good conduct and honesty during their formative years. James Masino, President.
• Schaumburg Civil Defense. 1963. Purpose is to minimize and alleviate damages, injuries or deaths from man made wars or natural disasters. Harlan Hector, Director.
• Schaumburg Jaycees. 1960. Purpose is to render community service to Schaumburg. Basic aim of Jaycee members is to improve themselves by improving their community. Kris Helland, Membership.
• Schaumburg Junior Woman’s Club. 1960. Purpose is to help with community improvements, assist youth programs and strive for self-improvement. Mrs. Arthur Wagner, President.
• Schaumburg Lions. 1960. Purpose is the Lions’ motto, “We Serve.” The main goal is to help the visually handicapped through the Lions candy day sale and other fund raising events… Thomas Mitchell, President.
• Schaumburg Moose Lodge #2055. 1962. Purpose is to aid community youth and aid unfortunate members. Robert Baboicsay, Governor.
• Schaumburg Park District. 1963. Under the park board’s administration are the youth and recreation center formerly known as the Jennings House, a park of approximately ten acres and two smaller parks, one of which is a baseball field. The Community swimming pool is operated by the Park District. The park district does not levy a tax, but relies on the village for funds. The park district has provided a recreational program for the youth of the village over the last year and plans to re-open the Jennings house youth center early this month. The center has been undergoing a remodeling program. Leo Grosch, Chairman of the Board.
• Schaumburg Township Committee on Youth. 1964. Purpose is to resolve juvenile problems in Hoffman-Schaumburg. The committee encourages and assists youth groups of various local organization. Rev. Wayne McArthur, Chairman.
• Schaumburg Township Council of PTAs. 1963. The council is a division of the Illinois Congress of PTAs, a clearing house for information and instruction District 54 PTA groups. A planned activity was a program of instruction and information concerning the new kindergarten classes to open in the fall of 1966. Mrs. Harold Ellison, President.
• Schaumburg Township Historical Society. 1964. Purpose is to compile historical data and artifacts having to do with the township which is changing so rapidly that the farms are all but gone; to operated the St. Peter chapel museum; to discover and to preserve historical sites. Mrs. Frank Wiley, President.
• Schaumburg Township Kindergarten Association. 1956. Purpose is to provide adequate housing, teachers, transportation and supplies for the children of kindergarten age living within the normal School District 54. This will be the last year of operation, as the school district will hold its own classes beginning in September 1966. Mrs. James Meyer, President.
• Schaumburg Township Public Library. 1962. Purpose is to provide the people of Schaumburg Township with the services of a public library in a free society. Colleen Amundson, Librarian.
• Twirlettes. 1962. Sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary as a recreational outlet for girls eight years of age and over. Mrs. Robert Scholl, Director.
• VFW, Post 8080. 1960. Purpose is to serve the community while enjoying fellowship. Shigeharu Takahashi, Post Commander.
• VFW Auxiliary. 1960. Purpose is to help the men of the post with their service projects and to carry out services to the community and to charities. Mrs. Robert Scholl, President.
• Weathersfield Homeowners Association. 1961. Purpose is to improve the community by helping the youth and helping in civic affairs. Monthly bulletin delivered to every home in Weathersfield with notes on doings of local governing bodies, other civic organizations, village ordinances; sponsorship of Brownie Troop 818, Cub Scout pack 195 and ACT (Active Community of Teenagers). Ed Dorsey, President.
• Weathersfield Merchants Association. 1963. Purpose is to play an active part in all community plans and to help with its growth and development. Andrew Klasen, President.

If you recall any of these organizations and the participation of you, your siblings or your parents, please share some of the details in the comments below!

Jane Rozek
Local History Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library
jrozek@stdl.org

Photos of the church drawings are used courtesy of “Community From Cornfields.”
Photo of the Civil Defense squad is used through a donation by Bud Napier. 

THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND CHURCHES OF 1965 SCHAUMBURG TOWNSHIP: PART 1

The December 1, 1965 issue of The Record which was published every Wednesday at 5 Hoffman Plaza in Hoffman Estates, yielded a nice surprise.  This newspaper covered all of Schaumburg Township and was lent to me by Jack Netter, whose mother wrote for the paper. A huge portion of this particular issue included a “Who’s What In Hoffman and Schaumburg.” Or, as it was also referred to, The Record’s Annual Community Service Directory. This is Part 1 and includes the first half of the alphabet. 

Below is a list of the organizations in Schaumburg Township at that point in time, the year they were founded, a brief description and a contact person for the group.

• Active Community of Teenagers (ACT). 1962. Sponsored by the Weathersfield Homeowner’s Association. The purpose is to provide service to the community and social outlets for the members. Joe Sosine, president.
• Beth Tikvah Congregation. 1957. The congregation serves 150 Jewish families from Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and 15 surrounding communities. The Temple is served by the Beth Tikvah Sisterhood and The Men’s Club. Rabbi Hillel Gamoran.
• Boy Scout Pathfinder District. 1964. To provide boys in the community with a program designed to teach and promote building of character and good citizenship. Warren Sanofsky, District Chairman.
• Campfire Girls of Schaumburg-Hanover Township. 1959. To make available an educational and recreational program for girls of all races, creeds and economic status. Louise Sigafoose, Group Organization Chairman.
• Choralettes. 1959. To share with each member the experience of singing for personal enjoyment and for the enjoyment of others. Mrs. John Iverson, Chairman.
• Church of the Cross, United Presbyterian. 1960. The congregation worships in a modern church building on Higgins Road and serves 300 residents of the township. Rev. Kenneth Robinson, pastor.
• Church of the Holy Innocents. 1957. The parish recently completed a new church building in Hoffman Estates. Their organizations are Episcopal Church Women, Society of St. Joseph, church choir and Young Episcopal Stewards. Rev. Jay Breisch.
• Clergyman’s Breakfast Club of Hoffman Estates-Schaumburg. 1963. The group includes Catholic, Protestant and Jewish clergymen and is organized to keep churches informed of events which take place in the community and to be of service wherever possible.
• Committee of Ten. 1964. Purpose is to work to aid the board of School District 54 in seeking cooperation from local village governments in matters of zoning. John Overton, Chairman.
• Community Council of Schaumburg Township. 1964. Purpose is to promote communication and cooperation between organizations within the community. James McNulty, President.
• Countryside Auxiliary. 1960. Made up of women from the northwest area, the club organizes fund-raising events to support the Illinois Children’s Home and Aid Society. Mrs. James Hoffman, President.
• First Baptist Church. 1959. The church serves 200 residents of Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. Their organizations are the Women’s Missionary Union, Men’s Sunday School Class and Teenage Girls Auxiliary. Rev. Lewis C. Lowe, pastor.
• Four-H Club. 1945. The four H’s in the name of this national organization stand for Heart, Health, Head and Hand. The purpose is to learn new skills and ideas, develop leadership ability and perform a service for the community. Mrs. Leonard Wiese, group leader.
• Girl Scout Community of Schaumburg Township in Northwest Cook County. 1956. Number of troops: 51, Number of scouts: 1400, Adult Volunteers: 300. Purpose is to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens.
• Guardsmen Drum and Bugle Corps. An inter-community group of 77 boys and girls who provide musical training, sportsmanship and competition, discipline and fellowship. Richard Ledig, Corps Manager.
• Guild Players. 1958. Purpose is to provide live theater to the community and to satisfy the theatrical interests of its membership. Lorraine Howe, chairman of the board.
• Higgins-Golf Merchants Association. 1965. A new organization of the proprietors of business operations in the Higgins-Golf shopping center in Schaumburg with the purpose of rendering service to community and to promote business in the shopping center. Ward Weaver, President of the Schaumburg State Bank.
• Hoffman Estates Amateur Radio Society. 1961. The purpose is to promote general interest in amateur radio. Donald Selke, president.
• Hoffman Estates Athletic Association. 1957. Purpose is to promote, conduct and operate athletic, sports exhibitions in places of youth of Schaumburg Township. Daryl Rathman, president.
• Hoffman Estates Boys Club. 1960. Purpose is to serve boys of the community by promoting good citizenship, sportsmanship and fellowship. Martin Florence, president.
• Hoffman Estates Civil Defense Commission. 1962. Purpose is to maintain normal village services in case of emergency. Bernard Callahan, director.
• Hoffman Estates Homeowners Association. 1956. Purpose is to help homeowners with problems concerning their properties. Harry Hubenthal, president.
• Hoffman Estates Jaycees. 1960. Purpose is to develop and improve the community through the individual man. Tom Nichol, President.
• Hoffman Estates Jayceetes. 1962. Purpose is to support the Jaycees in their community projects. Mrs. Larry Koontz, President.
• Hoffman Estates Lions Club. 1959. Purpose is to serve the community and the handicapped in the area, as well as contributing to the Hadley School for the Blind and Leader Dog Training. Richard Linnell, President.
• Hoffman Estates Merchants Association. 1959. Purpose is to promote business while also promoting harmony between the buyer and the merchant. Joe Brush, President.
• Hoffman Estates Nurses Club. 1961. Purpose is to provide hospital equipment for accident victims, recently released hospital patients and to outpatients, as well as put residents in touch with nurses for home care. Mrs. Lawrence Duncan, President.
• Hoffman Estates Park District. 1964. Purpose is to provide recreational facilities for citizens of every age and to beautify and maintain parks. Lyle Button, President.
• Hoffman Estates Teen Club. 1965 as an outgrowth of the July 4th teen dance. Purpose is to provide a club for teens operated by teens under the guidance of an adult steering committee. Linda Gibbon and Craig Broadstock, Membership info.
• Hoffman Estates Woman’s Club. 1957. Purpose is to promote high individual and community ideals and afford opportunity for cultural development through club programs and philanthropic aid. Mrs. William Wermes, President.
• Hoffman Estates Volunteer Fire Department. 1956. [Carl Selke is chief of the force of 30 men, one of the top volunteer departments in the state. The men serve without pay. Having begun with a borrowed piece of equipment owned by the Great Lakes Fire Equipment Co. of Barrington, the department now boasts six pieces, one of which is a new ambulance. The department answers hundreds of emergency and and fire calls each year. The force provides two men on duty around the clock and can boast of two dedicated workers. Mrs. Selk and Mrs. O’Shay, who answer calls and dispatch men and trucks to the scene. The department is under the auspices of the Hoffman Estates Fire Protection District. Mark Dick, President. The men of the department organized the Hoffman Estates Fire Department Volunteers’ Association, founded 1958. Carl Selke, President.]
• Hoffman Estates Volunteer Fire Auxiliary. 1957. Purpose is to help raise funds for equipment, to set up canteens for the fire fighters during emergencies, such as the crash of an airplane into a private residence last year and the aid the firemen in any way possible. Mrs. Dan McNally, President.
• Hoffman Estates Youth Commission. 1962. Purpose is to investigate and initiate plans for recreation and to promote wholesome activity for the children of Hoffman Estates, and to solve or preclude any of their serious problems. Harold Gillespie, Chairman.
• Hoffman Estates-Schaumburg Community Band. 1963. Originally organized to provide a marching band for the July 4th celebrations, the band is now sponsored by the Hoffman Estates Woman’s Club and provides an annual program. Larry Duncan, President.
• Human Relations Committee of Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. 1963. Purpose is to promote understanding between people of different faiths and races through education. James Hamill, President.

If you recall any of these organizations and the participation of you, your siblings or your parents, please share some of the details in the comments below! Part 2 will appear next week.

Jane Rozek
Local History Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library
jrozek@stdl.org

Photo of the Hoffman Estates Boys Club is used courtesy of the Hoffman Estates Museum.
Photos of the churches are used courtesy of “Community From Cornfields.”

THE THIRD VILLAGE HALL OF HOFFMAN ESTATES

Our guest contributor this week is Pat Barch, the Hoffman Estates Historian.  This column originally appeared in the March 2020 issue of the Hoffman Estates Citizen, the village’s newsletter.  The column appears here, courtesy of the Village of Hoffman Estates.

Next year, at the end of December, we’ll celebrate 30 years in our third village hall at 1900 Hassell Road. The first Hoffman Estates village hall was in the Hammerstein farm house on Illinois Boulevard and the second was located on the northwest corner of Golf Road and Gannon Drive. The Police Department also called this village hall home.

Mayor McLeod was kind enough to let me interview him about how and why the decision was made to purchase the Safeco Insurance building that would become our third village hall.

The Mayor shared his memories of 1991 when he was serving as village trustee and Michael O’Malley was mayor. With the growth of the village, additional police were needed and each department needed more space and employees to serve the community. At the 1991 spring retreat it was decided the village needed to expand the existing village hall or build a new one. Trustee Bruce Lind suggested that the village buy the Safeco Insurance building that was for sale and had sat empty for a time. When all of the figures were brought to the table, the cost of purchasing the Safeco building would be a good deal as Safeco was anxious to sell. The purchase price was approximately $5.5 million for the building and 21.3 acres of land.

The 131,000 square foot building was designed by the mid-century modern style architectural firm of Smith-Entzeroth, Inc. of St. Louis, MO. in 1981. Hoffman Estates purchased it in 1991 and moved in on December 31, 1991. The Village was very frugal in furnishing the building by using what could be brought over from the Gannon Drive location or buying used furniture.  The only necessary revisions were that the roof had to be replaced and larger floor spaces had to be partitioned into functional office units. Purchasing the Safeco building was about 50% cheaper than building a new village hall.

In 2008 the village hall was renovated and some departments were moved from the second to the first floor and vise versa to better serve the needs of the general public when permits, water bills and other business took place. Two of the most attractive additions were the beautiful spiral staircase and the Village logo inlaid on the marble floor at the foot of the staircase.

The wonderful interior and exterior make it a very impressive building and a great example of repurposing.

There are many services offered to our community at the village hall, too many to list this month.  Next month I’ll go into detail about the departments and services that are available to you. Some may surprise you.

Pat Barch
Hoffman Estates Village Historian
eagle2064@comcast.net

Aerial photo of the Village Hall is used courtesy of the Village of Hoffman Estates.
Photo of the entrance to the Safeco building is used courtesy of the former Profile Publications, Inc. of Crystal Lake, IL.

WILL THE REAL HANS WEBER PLEASE STAND UP?

A couple of years after World War I, an entry in the August 26, 1921 issue of the Cook County Herald mentioned in the Schaumburg column that “the brick block has been leased by Hans Weber from Chicago. Mr. Weber will take possession Sept. 1st.”

The “brick block” was later known as Lengl’s and, still later, the Easy Street Pub. Because of its solid red rectangular brick construction, it is easy to see why it was casually referred to that way.

We know that this building was built by H. E. Quindel in 1911 for a cost of $15,000 and that he initially leased the business to Charles Krueger, who ran it as a hotel, hall and saloon, as pictured below.

Seven years later in a July 5, 1918 issue, it states that “Barney Mueller, of Elgin, has bot [sic] out Chas. Krueger and will occupy the buffet beginning next week. Mr. Krueger will move his household effects to Elgin.”

Going forward, Mr. Mueller ran the tavern for the next few years. He ultimately decided, though, that he was ready to move on so he leased it to Mr. Weber who aptly renamed it the Weber Inn.

It appears though, that there was another possible reason that Mr. Weber of Chicago came to Schaumburg Township. In the same August 26, 1921 article it is stated “Mr. Weber, who leased the brick block was a member of the famous “Jackie” band during the recent turbulent war times and is capable to direct a band himself and we all know a band is just what Schaumburg needs…”

“Jackie” was a nickname for those who served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. This 300-piece band was actually formed by the great John Phillip Sousa at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center during World War 1. (See the reference on this Facebook page.)

Knowing that Mr. Weber was a World War I veteran made it a bit easier to try and track him down. The Fold3 database that the library subscribes to has a World War I registration card for a Hans Weber who was a saloon keeper in Chicago. He was 32, married to Elizabeth Weber and lived at 1525 W 51st Street in Chicago.

This is where we make the assumption that we have the correct Hans Weber, despite the fact that there were several others by that name who also registered for the draft in the Great War. They, though, were either out of state or their first and/or middle names were slightly off.

By the 1920 census–and two years after the war ended–this Hans Weber was in Chicago at the same West 51st Street address with his wife and three children, Elizabeth, Hans and Elsie. The following year would see him lease the red brick structure in Schaumburg Township.

The Weber Inn did, indeed, sponsor musical events as mentioned in this May 25, 1923 article from the Cook County Herald. “The classy Schwabenverein, with their swell male choir were callers at the Weber Inn Sunday. Quite a number of locals enjoyed some of their selections.”

The paper had the name of the group slightly wrong. It was the Schwaben Verein which is one of the oldest German organizations of the Chicago area, having been founded in 1878. Considering the township was almost exclusively German in 1923, it is no surprise that the male choir went over so well with local residents.

To add even more mystery to the story though, the 1923 Chicago City Directory lists Mr. Weber still living at 1525 W. 51st Street. In fact, in the 1930 census he is listed as a merchant of soft drinks and, in the 1940 census, he is listed as a tavern keeper/bartender owner with the same 51st Street address.

Did he maintain a residence there during his ownership of the Weber Inn in Schaumburg Township? Did his wife live there while he worked in Schaumburg? Was it just easier that way? Do we even have the right Hans Weber?

A year later in the May 2, 1924 issue of the Cook County Herald, it states that “Mr. A.H. Weber has sold his interest in the Weber Inn to Frank Lenger [Lengl] of Chicago, who took possession Tuesday. Mr. Weber will devote his time in operating the hotel and restaurant which he recently purchased at Roselle.”

Compliments of the Roselle Local History Digital Archive, we have an idea of what this hotel and restaurant looked like. It is the fine looking two story building in the middle of this photo of Chicago Street in Roselle, which is now Irving Park Road.

Around the same time that Mr. Weber left the Weber Inn and took up his new establishment in Roselle, this ad appeared in the paper–and it really muddies the waters a bit more. Look at the name at the bottom of the ad. It appears to be Alphonse H. Weber, proprietor.

If we turn back to Fold 3, we can find a World War I draft registration card for Alphonse Henry Weber who was born March 25, 1888. His profession? Musician. Where? In his own orchestra at 2922 Southport Avenue in Chicago. This bit of information very much aligns with the Hans Weber who was a part of the Jackie band at Great Lakes Naval Station. The only problem is that the name Hans is a nickname for Johannes or, the German form of John–and bears no connection to the name Alphonse. Was it maybe a pet name that his family or friends gave him?

Whatever the case, Alphonse H. Weber is listed in the 1920 census living with his parents, Joseph and Helen, and working as a bank clerk. The 1930 census has him also living in Chicago with his father but, working as a musician in a band.

The death certificate for Mr. Weber that can be found in Family Search lists his birth date as March 25, 1890–two years off from the date on the draft registration card. His place of death was Alexian Brothers Hospital in Chicago and his home address? 2922 Southport Avenue–the same as his draft registration card. He was listed as divorced from Elsie Weber and employed as a clerk in real estate for 10 years. What happened to the musician status from the 1930 census? And how had he been employed for 10 years as a real estate clerk when he was running the Weber Hotel in 1924?

Interestingly, in the Ancestry database, the U.S. Veterans Administration has a card from their Master Index of 1917-1940 for Alphonse Henry Weber. It duplicates the 1888 birth date above and also states that he died February 7, 1934. The place where benefits were sent? Roselle, Illinois.

In this interior photo below–also from Roselle’s Local History Digital Archive–there is a couple behind the bar of the hotel. Is this Mr. and Mrs. Weber? Is it Hans and Elizabeth or Alphonse and Elsie? Or, simply, a couple that ran the inn? For a bit of clarification, a mention of Mrs. Weber providing one of her famous chicken dinners at the Roselle Hotel is mentioned in the Franklin Park Beacon of July 25, 1924. So, we know, if it’s Alphonse and Elsie, they had to have been married at the time.

For a bit of context, this photo of Hans and Elizabeth Weber that was found on Family Search was part of their 1924 passport application photo–which was also taken at the same time Hans and/or Alphonse H. Weber purchased the Roselle hotel and lunch room. They do not appear to be the same couple as the those behind the bar at the Weber Hotel.

Unfortunately, the Roselle History Museum had no additional information on a Mr. A.H. “Hans” Weber that Schaumburg Township and the village of Roselle shared. There was no further mention of the restaurant in the newspapers than the simple ads that were placed in 1924.

Don’t we have to assume, then, that our Mr. Weber was Alphonse Henry and that, possibly, he gave up his dreams and sold the hotel towards the end of 1924 and moved back to Chicago? He then took a job as a real estate clerk for the next ten years until his death in 1934, while continuing to perform as a musician on the side. It was so much a part of his dream that he listed his occupation as such in the 1930 census.

If any family members or researchers can verify the correct Mr. Weber, maybe then, the real Hans Weber can, indeed, stand up.

Jane Rozek
Local History Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library
jrozek@stdl.org

Many thanks to Leslie Drewitz of the Roselle History Museum for her additional research and for giving approval to use the photos of Weber’s Hotel and Lunch Room.

Credit for the Jackie Band photo is also given to the Navy Musician’s Association Archives. 

 

A RECAP OF “THE RECORD” FROM DECEMBER 1, 1965

This is the fifth in a series of items taken from select issues of The Record which was published every Wednesday at 5 Hoffman Plaza in Hoffman Estates. The newspaper covered all of Schaumburg Township. Copies were lent to me by Jack Netter, whose mother wrote for the paper. Unique, interesting articles, ads and press releases will be shared below.

• It was the Christmas season so it wasn’t too surprising that a 2 lb. tin of “luscious, holiday fruit cake” for .77 and 5 pint packs of egg nog ice cream for .97 were available at Walgreens along with a flocked 6 ft. tree for $11.99.
• An editorial mentioned the paper’s approval of the village of Schaumburg’s “vast industrial park” that would be built by the Milwaukee Road railway. It would be 610 acres and was expected to add at least $100 million to the assessed tax valuation of School District 54 and High School District 211. Mayor Atcher stressed that the effort was coordinated by William Lambert, a local gentleman who owned some of the property and engaged other owners to cooperate and create a single, large parcel of property.
• A group of residents were interested in changing Springinsguth Road to Atcher Avenue, Drive, Street or Boulevard. Most of the people driving the change were those who lived on Springinsguth.
• The ducks on Lakeview Pond were rounded up by Robert Manning of the Hoffman Estates police force, Arthur Heine of the village building department, Lawrence Plote, director of public works and James Knippen of the fire department. The plan was for the ducks to overwinter at the Plote farm and return in the spring. The same plan was in place for the ducks on the Highland Park pond.
• The Lual Shop at the Higgins Golf Shopping Center was offering shoppers the opportunity to charge their purchases on their budget plan and pay next year with no down payment, no carrying charge and 3 months to pay! It was a ladies shop that sold blouses, hosiery, dresses, gloves, suits, lingerie, sweaters, skirts, slacks, jewelry, robes and purses.
• The village of Hoffman Estates was busy crafting a village ordinance that would install a position for a village manager. The position would require that the manager would also serve as Civil Defense Director. He would also be able to spend amounts up to $1500 without prior board approval. Mayor Roy Jenkins promised that a manager would be in place by February 1, 1966.
• The Schaumburg Township Public Library moved this week from a cramped 1000 square foot ranch near the northwest corner of Schaumburg and Roselle Road that was never intended to be a library, to a spacious 8400 square foot building specifically designed to be serve that purpose. The library had begun in that location three years ago with no professional staff and a large portion of their collection on loan from the state library. The staff now consisted of Colleen Amundson as the director, three clerks and three pages. The new library was designed by Carl Hundreiser of McCarthy-Hundreiser and Associates.
• Twinbrook House and Garden Shop at the intersection of Higgins and Golf was offering a special to kids to have their photo taken with Santa… Absolutely Free! Polaroid shots with no waiting!
• Irene’s Dining Room on the southwest corner of Higgins and Roselle Road opened December 1 under new management. Not only did they offer coupons for .25 off and .50 off small and large size pizzas but they also had a Friday Fish Fry and Free Delivery where beer and liquor was included.
• Only seven tickets remained to be sold for the first annual Stars and Stripes Ball which was a benefit dance for the Hoffman Estates Police Benevolent Fund at the Golden Acres Country Club on December 11. Frank Vaccaro, production manager for the affair, predicted that there would be many tuxedos and beautiful gowns in attendance at the ball. He even promised a “special treat” that he had in store for the finale.
• The Hoffman Estates Currency Exchange at TW 4-3311 offered the following services: check cashing, money orders, notary public, water bills, photostats, gas bills, electric bills, telephone bills, complete income tax service, complete auto license service and Hoffman Estates vehicle stickers.
• The Weathersfield Home Owners Association reelected Edward Dorsey to another term of president. Others elected were Edwin Schimmel, vice president; Katherine Forte, secretary and Albert Holloway, treasurer. Others elected to the board were William Baruth, Edward Scala, Gordon Mullins, R. King McCulloch and Kenneth Thompson.
• The builders of the Hill ‘n’ Dale subdivision in Schaumburg reported the theft of a cement mixer, miscellaneous tools and several 500 gallon drums from the site of a home under construction.
• Residents of the seven communities of Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah and Wood Dale have formed a committee to investigate the possibility of establishing a Y.M.C.A. in the area. Representatives had already met with the Central Y.M.C.A. about the steps that would be necessary to get a “Y” up and running. (A rendering of the possible YMCA is shown above.)

Jane Rozek
Local History Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library
jrozek@stdl.org