Tinley Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Andres Block

17344-17348 Oak Park Avenue

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 28, 2024

1. Andres Block Marker

Inscription. Approximately 1868, Christian Andres built a new general merchandise store at the southwest corner of Oak Park Avenue and 173rd Place. The village's first telephone was installed here in 1898. A two-story brick building addition was built in 1906, which bears the name "Andres Block" after its owner. Living quarters and storage space occupied the upper level. A general store, an ice cream parlor, the village's first drug store, a public bath, post office, barbershop, grocery store and public library are just some of the businesses located in Andres Block during its long history. The tin ceiling that can be seen today inside one section of the building dates to the early 1920s, when it was Dini's Ice Cream Parlor. In 1934, Henry J. Bettenhausen opened Bettenhausen Hardware, located in the north end of the Andres Block building. In 1940, he acquired the block of buildings to expand his business. The family managed Bettenhausen Hardware until 1996. In 1998, the building was sold and the front facade was restored to closely resemble the building as it existed in 1907.

Erected by Village of Tinley Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 41° 34.552′ N, 87° 47.072′ W. Marker is in Tinley Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of 173rd Place and Oak Park Avenue, on the right on 173rd Place. The marker is on the north-facing wall of the building, along 173rd Place. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17344 Oak Park Avenue,

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Tinley Park IL 60477, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Columbia Hotel/Funk's Tavern (a few steps from this marker); Tinley Park Volunteer Fire Department (a few steps from this marker); J.W. Hollstein's (within shouting distance of this marker); World Trade Center Beam (within shouting distance of this marker); Tinley Park 9/11 Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Andres/Rice/Funk Residence (about 300 feet away); The Carl Vogt Building (about 400

Andres Block image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 28, 2024

2. Andres Block

The marker is not visible in this photograph, but is on the right side of the building facing 173rd Court.

feet away); Vogt Visual Arts Center (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tinley Park.

More about this marker. The building as of December 2024 is home to a restaurant called Primal Cut Steakhouse.

Also see . . .
1. Family’s Value. A 2000 Chicago Tribune article features the Bettenhausen family of Tinley Park.

Excerpt: “The first Bettenhausens, including Conrad Bettenhausen, she said, emigrated from Germany and settled in Tinley Park in 1894, though Christian Andres, Robert’s grandmother’s uncle, hit what would someday be town in 1852.

“‘They’re all honest, hardworking, and most of them have been self-employed,’ Colleen Bettenhausen said. ‘There’s been a Bettenhausen in almost every field of endeavor.’”

(Submitted on January 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Tinley Park Historic Site Markers. (Submitted on January 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. Primal

Courtesy of Tinley Park Public Library, circa 1910

3. Andres Block

Cut Steakhouse website. (Submitted on January 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.