New Des Plaines History Book to Be Released

“Images of America: Des Plaines” by David Whittingham, in cooperation with the Des Plaines History Center and Des Plaines Public Library, will be available beginning Nov. 26.

A new book that chronicles the growth of Des Plaines will be officially released on Nov. 26. Images of America: Des Plaines, by David Whittingham in cooperation with the Des Plaines History Center and the Des Plaines Public Library, features approximately 200 historic photographs. The book tells the story of a community, called Rand, that began in the 1830’s, when settlers built farms along the Des Plaines River, and follows the expansion of Des Plaines into the modern-day suburb it has become, according to a press release by Arcadia Publishing. A reception to celebrate the book release will take place at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St., on Dec. 14. Whittingham will give a presentation about the book, and will be …

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Photos: Historic Figure Robert Kennicott

The naturalist, explorer, Smithsonian founder was son of Dr. John Kennicott, one of the first doctors in the Des Plaines area.

The mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of one of the Des Plaines area’s most prominent historical figures will be discussed at a special fundraising program hosted by the Des Plaines History Center on Oct. 4. Robert Kennicott was a prolific naturalist, explorer and founding member of the Smithsonian Institution when he was found dead on a riverbank in Alaska in 1866, while on an expedition for Western Union to plan for telegraph lines and collect more specimens for the Smithsonian. In these images we see Robert Kennicott dressed in clothes like those worn by French Canadian trappers at the time, the last known photograph of him in his Western Union uniform, a picture of his father, Dr. John Kennicott, one of the first doctors …

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Des Plaines Yesterday and Today

Old Des Plaines Municipal Building Use Hotly Debated in 1974

When it was built at Graceland and Prairie avenues in 1937 it included the city’s administrative offices, police department and library.

In 1935, Des Plaines' city leadership was feeling cramped, and applied for a grant to find relief. The old Village Hall, built in 1892, was created to serve a much smaller village than the city that existed 44 years later. Des Plaines had grown, with annexations and subdivisions of former farms, a larger administration that had to fit in quite a small space, shared with police and fire. A new municipal building at Graceland and Prairie avenues was dedicated on June 26, 1937. Today, the site provides parking for the Civic Center and the Des Plaines Police Department. Sign up for Patch’s free daily newsletter. The federal government's Public Works Administration aided local projects including this one during the Great Depression. Des Plaines…

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Brian Wolf

3:55 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Thanks Rick. Dave Wolf is my grandfather and took the color slide photos above.   more ›

Photo of the Day: World War I Memorial

Share your favorite pictures from the community; click the green “Upload Photos and Videos” button.

John Burke, former president of the Des Plaines Historical Society, recently shared his story about tracking down the burial site of a World War I soldier from Des Plaines, Edmund Harold Lorenzen. Lorenzen was one of several veterans memorialized on small stones with metal plaques mounted to them, which used to be displayed surrounding a large stone memorial in the downtown area. Today, the large stone memorial is located at Lake Park, and the smaller stones are at the Kinder House Museum next to the Des Plaines History Center. Earlier: How to prevent yellowed leaves. Stay connected: Receive an email from Des Plaines Patch with headlines in the morning. Related: Check out all the photos of the day. The last one was about firefighters …

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Funding for Historical Society, Economic Development Position Approved

Aldermen work on finalizing 2012 budget.

At the third and final meeting for the 2012 budget at City Hall Wednesday, officials examined costs for a number of programs as they work to allocate the city’s $114 million in expenditures. Aldermen approved a new full-time position, which officials hope will foster better relationships between the city and businesses. Earlier: Zero Percent Property Tax Increase in Des Plaines’ 2012 Budget Michael Bartholomew, director of Community and Economic Development, said the Business Development Coordinator position, which will the city approved at $100,000, would give the city a way to inform businesses of its incentive programs and increase business retention, said. Mayor Martin Moylan said the city had a similar position a couple years ago and …

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Memorial Service for History Center Director to Celebrate Legacy of Service

Director oversaw the development of Des Plaines Historical Society into one of the best in the suburbs

All are invited to a public memorial service for Joy Matthiessen, former executive director of the Des Plaines History Center, at the Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., at 9:45 a.m. Saturday. Matthiessen was hired in 1989 after completing her Master's Degree in Historic Administration from Eastern Illinois University, but her love for history reached back farther. Growing up in Chicago, Matthiessen would later recall the sense of place from spying the copper dome of the iconic Earle House at the corner of River Road and Miner Street, now the site of the Landmark condominium building. She was an avid Girl Scout, and created a popular exhibit on scouting in Des Plaines. She went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree in History…

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