Stories of Our Mothers

With Mother's Day near, we're remembering our moms through our community's stories.

When I was about five-years-old, I clearly remember a monster hiding behind our living room couch. It was small, emitted a glowing light, and came toward me…quickly. My dad was at work, my sister was at school, and my mother was in the shower. I ran into the bathroom to tell my mother of the horrendous invader, screaming words that sounded something like, “AAAaaahhhhh!!!! In the living room! HELP!” Believing there was an intruder in the house, my mother flew out of the shower toward the window. Flinging the window wide open, she threw her completely unclothed upper body out the window, screaming for help. Of course, I eventually realized that my imagination had led to my mother completely exposing herself to protect us, and today, my …

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Jan Leasure

10:38 am on Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day Ladies!   more ›

Tidbits From Libertyville

No More Pencils, No More Books

A history of Central School.

The original Central School opened just west of its current location on School Street in 1887. Thirteen years later, with the population growing rapidly, an addition was constructed. At that time, Central School was one of the finest educational facilities in the county, dwarfing many of the areas small one-room schoolhouses. In 1900, Central School children were expected to use pencils and paper tablets as opposed to the country schools that still utilized slates. Also, students were to provide their own textbooks, which could be purchased at Lovell's Drug Store.  In addition to the advancements in supplies, Central School offered a superior educational program. At a 1960 meeting of the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society, presenter…

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Tidbits From Libertyville

So You Think You Know Libertyville?

Can you guess where this photo was taken?

People used to love cooling off at this location.  Where are we this week? If you know the answer, tell us in the comments section, or send it via Twitter (@LvillePatch) or Facebook (LibertyvillePatch). We also encourage you to share your memories of the featured location with us. Readers who guess the location correctly and also share their memories with us may be featured in our weekend column, Tidbits From Libertyville. Feel free to ask questions about our community and we will do our best to find the history behind it.

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Laura Hickey

9:04 pm on Thursday, February 17, 2011

Lou, the picture in Jim's book is from the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society's collection. I will include it with the upcoming article. If someone wishes to use one the Society's image, they can do so for either a small fee or a basic courtesy line, depending on the situation. Bonnie, Jim Moran had an idea for a joint Historic Pub Crawl Fundraiser between the Historical Society and …   more ›

Tidbits From Libertyville

Reminders of the Past

A history of Lakeside Cemetery

Arguably the most historic place in Libertyville is Lakeside Cemetery. As Matt Gonring and Bonnie Quirke note, it is located along Lake Street and overlooks Butler Park. Its central location brings comfort to those with loved ones laid to rest at the grounds. They can easily visit their passed family and friends. For those interested in local history, Lakeside Cemetery has plenty to offer. Although the exact date is unknown, it is believed that the cemetery has an establishment year around 1840. The most antiquated section runs along Lake Street and can be distinguished by the “interesting grave markers,” as Bonnie Quirke put it. The oldest identifiable stones belong to John and Judiah Smith who died in 1844 and 1845. Unfortunately, their …

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Tidbits From Libertyville

So You Think You Know Libertyville?

Can you guess where this photo was taken?

If you know the answer, tell us in the comments section, or send it via Twitter (@LvillePatch) or Facebook (LibertyvillePatch). We also encourage you to share your memories of the featured location with us. Readers who guess the location correctly and also share their memories with us may be featured in our weekend column, Tidbits From Libertyville. Feel free to ask questions about our community and we will do our best to find the history behind it.

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Laura Hickey

2:41 am on Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thanks for the comment, Lou! Joe, would you care to share one of your memories with us?   more ›

Tidbits From Libertyville

A Welcoming Home

A history of Winchester House.

Like many establishments in Libertyville, Winchester House has adapted to its changing demographic. From a poor farm to a state-run nursing home, the building and its land have been a testament to the compassionate people of our town.  Caring for the Poor In 1847, at a price of $2,025, Commissioner Alva Towbridge sold 190 acres of his land to the county for the establishment of the Lake County Poor Farm. Controversially, it was his fellow commissioners that approved the purchase on behalf of the taxpayers. Upset by this underhanded deal and the price tag attached to it, the townspeople demanded the sale of the land. However, an 1851 State Act required that Townships care for their poor. To assuage the people's anger, while still providing …

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Tidbits From Libertyville

So You Think You Know Libertyville?

Can you guess where this photo was taken?

If you know the answer, tell us in the comments section, or send it via Twitter (@LvillePatch) or Facebook (LibertyvillePatch). We also encourage you to share your memories of the featured location with us. Readers who guess the location correctly and also share their memories with us may be featured in our weekend column, Tidbits From Libertyville. Feel free to ask questions about our community and we will do our best to find the history behind it.

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And They Called It Macaroni

A history of Foulds.

“It can't be Fould ... it's the macaroni factory Foulds.” —Jill Harkaway If you show a photograph of the old timber and brick building to any Libertyville resident you will get a similar response. Foulds Inc. is one of the longest lasting businesses in town. To recognize its contribution to the community, let's take a look back at its PASTa. Quality Macaroni In 1891, in the corner of his Cincinnati flour mill, Frank Foulds produced his first macaroni noodle. Four years later, he started the Foulds Milling Company out of the same city. To perfect his pasta, he worked with the Department of Agriculture's Mark Carleton to bring durum wheat semolina from Russia to the United States. As a hearty wheat, it could withstand harsh Midwestern …

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So You Think You Know Libertyville?

Can you guess where this photo was taken?

Would anyone care for some pasta?  You can find it at this week's location. If you know the answer, tell us in the comments section, or send it via Twitter (@LvillePatch) or Facebook (LibertyvillePatch). We also encourage you to share your memories of the featured location with us. Readers who guess the location correctly and also share their memories with us may be featured in our weekend column, Tidbits From Libertyville. Feel free to ask questions about our community and we will do our best to find the history behind it.

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Tidbits From Libertyville

From Fairground to Fishing Hole

A history of Lake Minear.

In the 1800s, the sparkling lake Libertyville residents enjoy today, was simply a dry prairie. In 1882, the farmland, owned by various individuals, was sold to the Lake County Fairgrounds. The area was easily accessible to out-of-town visitors and extremely convenient to Libertyville's large farming community making the location a practical choice. After the prairie was purchased, it was transformed into a gathering ground for the county's fair goers. The arena included a half-mile horse racing track, a fountain, and a baseball field with areas for additional attractions. It remained the Lake County Fairgrounds until 1925. Gravel Pit The following year, the Consumers Company of Chicago (formerly the North Shore Material Company) acquired …

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