Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Pillars of the Community: West Mural
2001
| | Naperville Century Walk | |
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024
1. Pillars of the Community West Mural Marker
The strong, bold images on these three murals were created in American Art Deco style to honor important people, places, and events in Naperville's 20th century history. The west mural portrays Peter Kroehler and his furniture manufacturing company at a time when it was contributing to the war effort, a man delivering ice blocks cut from the DuPage River, Stenger Brewery from where it's rumored Adolph Coors once labored, engineers surveying a limestone quarry, a diver at Centennial Beach, the Burlington Zypher and locomotives, and two noted photographers Eli Stark and Charles Koretke.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list.
Location. 41° 46.297′ N, 88° 8.962′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Chicago Avenue near South Main Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is to the left of the murals facing Chicago Avenue. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pillars of the Community Center Mural (a few steps from this marker); Pillars of the Community East Mural (a few steps from this marker); Naperville Sports Notables (a few steps from this marker); Pre-Emption House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Naperville Sports Notables (within shouting distance of this marker); Third and Fourth Main Street Bridges over the West Branch of the DuPage River (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry and Eva White Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); First and Second Main Street Bridges over the West Branch of the DuPage River
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024
2. Pillars of the Community: West Mural
More about this marker. Three murals were painted here in 2001 at the site of the Pre-Emption House, an 1834 tavern and inn that was torn down in 1946. This marker is one of three related to those murals; a fourth, earlier marker was dedicated by the DuPage Historical Society to the Pre-Emption House.
Also see . . .
1. The Stenger Brewery in the Late 1800s: A Rich, Golden History. Stenger Family history website entry (Submitted on January 29, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame: Peter Kroehler. A brief bio of Peter Kroehler, whose furniture manufacturing plant is referenced on this marker. (Submitted on September 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. Eli Stark. From Naperville's Euclid Masonic Lodge No. 65, a biography of Eli Stark, an amateur photographer and Naperville shop owner who is referenced on this mural. (Submitted on September 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024
3. Site of the Pre-Emption House
Four historical markers are affixed to the wall near the three murals related to Naperville's history. The one on the far right is the oldest, erected soon after the Pre-Emption House was torn down in 1946.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
