Western Springs in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Village of Western Springs: The Early Years

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

1. The Village of Western Springs: The Early Years Marker

Inscription.

The Village of Western Springs: The Early Years. . , Western Springs, officially incorporated in 1886, was emerging from its frontier days when this house was built, and much of the land was shifting from farmland and prairie to residential houses and businesses. Ekdahl's shop was located across from the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad line, a center of fast-paced growth. Streets, water supply, and a sewage system also surfaced in the village around this time. Sports leagues were loosely forming, families and neighbors often gathered for picnics, and in general townspeople were developing a strong communal bond in this close-knit village. , , "A prairie fire raged nearby a few weeks ago, but we were fortunate in having a road close to us which stopped the fire before it had a chance to reach the houses." August Ekdahl, 1887, in a letter written home to his sister in Sweden. , , As Ekdahl built his home and cobbler shop, other businesses were booming in the village. Well-known businesses during this period were the Vaughan Seed Company, Vive Camera, Henrikson's Grocery Store, and Keil's Drugstore. Western Springs had a substantial Swedish and German population, with Ekdahl and Henrikson becoming prominent Swedish businessmen in the village. , , Thanks to Mr. Ekdahl, residents now did not have to travel to neighboring towns of Hinsdale and La Grange to buy or repair their shoes. While machinery was becoming more present in businesses due to the industrial revolution, Ekdahl continued to make his products by hand. Often he had leftover scraps of leather which he gave to young boys to make better sling-shots for recreation. Surely, they were pleased that Ekdahl maintained his independence as a cobbler in Western Springs! , , [Captions:] , August Ekdahl milking a cow behind his home. , , Fourth of July Parade, Wolf Road Crossing , , Hillgrove Avenue circa 1920. Ekdahl House is the third building on the right , , Early map of Western Springs touting it as the "Queen Suburb of Chicago"

Western Springs, officially incorporated in 1886, was emerging from its frontier days when this house was built, and much of the land was shifting from farmland and prairie to residential houses and businesses. Ekdahl's shop was located across from the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad line, a center of fast-paced growth. Streets, water supply, and a sewage system also surfaced in the village around this time. Sports leagues were loosely forming, families and neighbors often gathered for picnics, and in general townspeople were developing a strong communal bond in this close-knit village.

"A prairie fire raged nearby a few weeks ago, but we were fortunate in having a road close to us which stopped the fire before it had a chance to reach the houses." August Ekdahl, 1887, in a letter written home to his sister in Sweden.

As Ekdahl built his home and cobbler shop, other businesses were booming in the village. Well-known businesses during this period were the Vaughan Seed Company, Vive Camera, Henrikson's Grocery Store, and Keil's Drugstore. Western Springs had a substantial Swedish and German population, with

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Ekdahl and Henrikson becoming prominent Swedish businessmen in the village.

Thanks to Mr. Ekdahl, residents now did not have to travel to neighboring towns of Hinsdale and La Grange to buy or repair their shoes. While machinery was becoming more present in businesses due to the industrial revolution, Ekdahl continued to make his products by hand. Often he had leftover scraps of leather which he gave to young boys to make better sling-shots for recreation. Surely, they were pleased that Ekdahl maintained his independence as a cobbler in Western Springs!

[Captions:]
August Ekdahl milking a cow behind his home.

Fourth of July Parade, Wolf Road Crossing

Hillgrove Avenue circa 1920. Ekdahl House is the third building on the right

Early map of Western Springs touting it as the "Queen Suburb of Chicago"

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 41° 48.694′ N, 87° 53.896′ W. Marker is in Western Springs, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on 43rd

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

2. The Village of Western Springs: The Early Years Marker

The Ekdahl House is in the background, and behind that a different marker that describes the history of the home.

Street east of Wolf Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker is to the left of the Ekdahl House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 785 43rd Street, Western Springs IL 60558, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The August Ekdahl House (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Water Tower (approx. 0.2 miles away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Western Springs Water Tower (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); H.G. Maxted (approx. 0.2 miles away); James D. Stevenson (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Western Springs.

Regarding The Village of Western Springs: The Early Years. The

The Ekdahl House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn

3. The Ekdahl House

Two markers flank either side of the Ekdahl House, which is located about a block north of its original location.

Ekdahl House was spared from demolition in 2008 when it was moved from its long-time location at 808 Hillgrove Avenue, overlooking the train tracks, to this spot about a block north. It was converted into a museum by the Western Springs Historical Society.

Also see . . . Ekdahl House Museum official site. (Submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

The August Ekdahl House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

4. The August Ekdahl House Marker

A Blue Star Memorial sign is in front of the Ekdahl House property.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 16, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.