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

J.W. Hollstein's

17358 Oak Park Avenue

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 28, 2024

1. J.W. Hollstein's Marker

Inscription. Johann Wilhelm Hollstein opened a saloon at this location in about 1868 and offered lodging rooms on the upper floor. Around 1890, the original building was moved west and turned south to face the railroad tracks, and a new saloon building was constructed facing Batchelor Grove Road (now Oak Park Avenue). The old structure became the family residence, and can still be seen today. The tavern closed shortly after J.W. Hollstein's death in 1918. Through the years, the building has also housed Atlantic and Pacific and Royal Blue grocery stores, Tinley Park Bakery, as well as barber shops, millinery shops, a radio shop and florists. Bert and Betty Cummings purchased the building in 1962, and opened a hair salon and snack shop in this location. The snack shop was converted into a country and western bar, called the Pinto Lounge, in 1963. According to Bert Cummings the Pinto Lounge was "where country music got its start in Tinley Park." The lounge remained in operation until 2000 and the exterior was subsequently renovated to resemble the building's earlier appearance and a new restaurant and bar called J.W. Hollstein's was opened, in homage to its earliest proprietor.

Erected by Village of Tinley Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 41° 34.532′ N, 87° 47.07′ W. Marker is in Tinley Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Oak Park Avenue south of 173rd Court, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17358 Oak Park Avenue, 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,

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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: Andres Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Tinley Park Volunteer Fire Department (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbia Hotel/Funk's Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); World Trade Center Beam (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carl Vogt Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tinley Park 9/11 Memorial (about 300 feet away); Andres/Rice/Funk Residence (about 400 feet away); Vogt Visual Arts Center (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tinley Park.

Also see . . .
1. J.W. Hollstein's Saloon official site. (Submitted on January 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. The Last Roundup: Bidding a fond farewell to the Pinto Lounge. From the Chicago
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 28, 2024

2. J.W. Hollstein's
Reader on May 11, 2000

Excerpt: "In 1995 Bert rode off into the sunset, a victim of emphysema and heart disease, but Betty, his wife for 40 years, took over the lounge. She’s finally sold it, to a pair of suburban entrepreneurs who are turning it into a jazz club and piano bar. Last call is this Saturday, but a week ago Sunday nearly 200 people turned out for a party to honor Betty and remember Bert."

(Submitted on January 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

J.W. Hollstein's image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 28, 2024

3. J.W. Hollstein's

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 398 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.