View of Lee Street at Ellinwood Street Changed Little in 70 Years
Historic corner anchored by old bank building.
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The corner of Lee and Ellinwood today remains dominated by the Des Plaines State Bank building, now FirstMerit bank.
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Photos
Last week we looked at the southeast corner of Lee and Ellinwood Streets, a view that has changed drastically several times over its history. Just across the street, on the southwest corner, a different story emerges.
Earlier: The corner of Lee and Ellinwood streets reborn with Library Plaza.
This corner hasn't changed much at all since 1940. It's still dominated by the gleaming marble Des Plaines State Bank building.
Next door is the Echo Theatre building, which then held Charles Romano's Tavern and a barbershop, and now holds Athena Investment Group.
The next building in the old picture once held the studio of William J. Thiede, the local photographer who made many of the earliest photographs of Des Plaines. Later, Sheppard's Home Furnishings operated there for many years until closing in 1958. The building was then demolished and replaced by the current building at 686 Lee St.
Next in line is the Kaufman Building, which now has a new lower facade and has lost its peaked parapet, but otherwise looks much the same.
It was once the home of Muench Pharmacy and Des Plaines Fur, and now holds more Athena offices.
The small addition next door was the longtime home of Lutheran General Thrift Store and more recently, Curves. It is currently vacant.
The next building is now home to Mexico Restaurant. From 1920 to 1997 it was the home of Ace Hardware. The business was originally named Des Plaines Mercantile Company, and the hardware store was among the first to join the Ace co-op. Prior to that it was the Koenig General Merchandise store, an early grocer.
Last in line is now Dad's Slot Cars, which styled its signage after Lee Dry Goods, the longtime occupant of the space.
What Lee Street business do you miss?
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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Romano's Italian Restaurant and Lounge
1396 E Oakton St, Des Plaines, IL -
Athena Investment Group, LLC
688 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL -
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Curves For Women
692 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL -
Mexico Restaurant
694 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL -
Dad's Slot Cars
700 Lee St, Des Plaines, IL
Phil Heller
3:51 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My great Uncles Henry, and John, had their doctor and dentist offices on top floor facing Lee Street. 1930's to 1960's. They may have been one of the first tenants. My great Uncle Henry was on the bank board. I wonder if there was a Mr. Potter? :-o)
Richard Munchkin
4:09 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
My Dad went through a phase where he carried a green pen, and signed all his checks using green ink. Eventually the pen ran out of ink and his new pen had black ink. One day the bank calls and asks if he had written a particular check. My Dad said, Yes, why are you asking? They said, It wasn't signed in green ink. Imagine that happening today.
Mary Grimes
5:12 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
On Saturday mornings during the later l950s the bank had refreshments available.
It was my job to make coffee and set up a table with cups, spoons, napkins, sugar, cream, and of course, the coffee along with doughnut holes. It was a good job for a high school girl.
Christy Piszkiewicz
8:12 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
love the history and remembering what was once an everyuday site. Nice work!
Michael Aldridge
8:20 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
When viewing old photos, I marvel at how open and uncluttered city streets once were. Today they littered with an ugly forest of multiple traffic lights, parking signs, painted crosswalks, turning arrows, even signs to tell us when to cross the street. How very modern. Returning the 2-way traffic wouldn’t be a bad idea either.