1835-

Hiking Through History

-1985

Copies of this booklet are

available at the Des Plaines
Historical Society, 789
Pearson St.
- 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' Ses-
quicentennial year, the Des Plaines Histor-
ical 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 citi-
zens, 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
Directo,sPlaine
Historical Museum
1. KINDER HOME (DES PLAINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY)
2. B.F. KINDER & SON HARDWARE
3. LAGERHAUSEN'S LUMBER CO.
4. SOCRATES RAND'S MILL
5. DR. C.A. EARLE HOME
6. C.W.M. BROWN BLDG.
7. BEHMILLER BLDG.
8. KREY JEWELERS BLDG.
9. KUNISCH BARBERSHOP BLDG.
10. SUGAR BOWL RESTAURANT
11. 1ST NATIONAL BANK BLDG.
12. DES PLAINES THEATER
13. RESTORED METHODIST CHURCH
14. DES PLAINES BAND STAND
15. CHOO-CHOO SNACK SHOP
16. DES PLAINES THEATER GUILD
17. MASONIC TEMPLE BLDG.
18. FIRST DES PLAINES LIBRARY
19. EARLY DES PLAINES POST OFFICE
20. EARLY DES PLAINES POST OFFICE
21. FORMER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
22. ECHO THEATER
23. DES PLAINES NATIONAL BANK BLDG.
24. FIRST VILLAGE HALL
25. DES PLAINES WAR MEMORIAL
26. NORTH DIVISION SCHOOL
27. SENNE'S BRIDGE
28. MCDONALD'S DRIVE - IN #7000
29. MCDONALD'S #1 DRIVE - IN & MUSEUM
30. NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL
31. SOCRATES RAND'S CABIN & 1ST SCHOOL
32. DO-ALL COMPANY & MUSEUM
33. C&NWRR STATION
34. MINNICH HOME
35. ST. MARY'S CHURCH
36. ST. MARY'S CHURCH
37. HOFFMAN LOG CABIN HOME
38. IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
39. IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL
40. 1ST MAINE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
41. AHBE HOME
42. EARLY WATER PUMPING STATION
43. NORTHWESTERN PARK
44. POYER HOME
45. STEWART HOME
46. JOSEPH JEFFERSON BRIDGE
47. DES PLAINES RIVER
48. METHODIST CAMPGROUND
49. WHITCOMB CO. CLAYPITS
50. LUTHER JEFFERSON'S GRIST MILL
51. JONES WOOLEN MILL
52. JEFFERSON FAMILY WOODSIDE FARM
53. 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 for-
ever. 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 origin-
ally established by B.F. Kinder in 1873 on
Miner St. The business was subsequently re-
located on this corner in 1881. The build-
ing, 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 import-
ant 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 1522-
1526 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 Build-

ing at 1520 Miner St. Built in 1897, this
well preserved structure served as the home
for Behmiller's Grocery. Behmiller's special-
ized in "Fresh, salt, and smoked meats and
sausage".
8. Proceed to 1514 Miner St. and the former
location of another early Des Plaines bus-
iness, 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.

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 grow-
ing 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 mid-
1920s. 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. cor-

ner 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' govern-
ment, 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.

NOTES
 WOODLAND

31
WILLOW SHERMAN PL.

HILLS AVE.

4--1
HARDING AVENUE=

3
►rtr
WASHINGTON sr 11 dLo
29 4! er 4
!- 0
co 2 28x.
1'0
BROWN
34
372 / 112 7
PERRY

RRY
JEFFERSON

18 13
ST

25

24

7P1,4
Vs)

woRT*4
47

THAC E STS TR

ASHLAND AVE.
 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 Pla-
25. ines War Memorial. This large stone memorial
bears the names of those Des Plaines resi-
dents who served in the Civil War, Spanish-
American 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 park-
ing 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 sur-
passed 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 Hos-
pital, Des Plaines' first medical care fac-
ility. 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 prefor-
med in the famed C&NWR.R. Company Band dur-
ing 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 cen-
ter parking lot just west of the Police
Department. The library was built with a
grant of $5,000 obtained from Andrew Car-
negie 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 Pla-
ines 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 inter-
section. 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 Pear-
son 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 magni-
ficent 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 uni-
que "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 cor-
ner of Thacker and Lee Streets. View the
present day Immanuel Lutheran Church. This
church, built in 1956-7, replaced the con-
gregation'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 construc-
ted during the same year. Later expansion
occured in 1930, when the addition facing
Lee St. was completed.

40. Walk east on Thacker St. approximately two-

three 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 res-
ident 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 tour-
ists from Chicago picnicking at this beau-
tiful 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 fam-
ilies 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 gla-
ciers. 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 commem-
orated 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 contin-
ued development of Des Plaines as an
agricultural settlement. By 1860, Jeffer-
son 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 head-
quarters 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-the-
century 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 Des-
Plaines (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 north-
west 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 dedica-
ted 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 or-
ganized and a reading room was opened. In Aug-
ust, 1919, the Society was incorporated as
the First Church of Christ Science in Des Pla-
ines. 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 build-
ing at the present address of 946 Thacker St.
The present day church was dedicated in Sept-
ember, 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 cor-
ner 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 congre-
gation which was organized in 1868. Unfortu-
nately, 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 fellow-
ship 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" pan-
cakes 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 build-
ing in 1906-07. A new church was built at
794 Pearson St. in 1970.

Trinity Lutheran Church -

Initial meetings were held in the "old" Mas-
onic 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 Con-
gregational 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