Worth Township on Blue Island in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The "Groskopf Corner"

Built c. 1907

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 31, 2025

1. The "Groskopf Corner" Marker

Inscription. Described in the book The First Hundred Years - A Historical Review of Blue Island as a "high spot" during this area's popular market days in the late 1800s, a tavern has operated on this corner almost continuously since the 1870s. A wood frame building stood here originally, built by Louis and Josephine Groskopf, who owned two businesses: a tavern on the corner - the South Side Wine & Beer Hall - and a grocery, hardware, and dry goods store that operated from a one-story section of the building on the north. The two-story section of the current brick building was constructed in about 1907, with the one-story section added later.

Louis Groskopf, a German immigrant, came to America with his parents at the age of 11 in 1862. He was a village trustee here, serving from 1887-1889, and again from 1893-1894. When Blue Island changed its governmental structure from village to city in 1901, he served as an alderman from 1901 thru 1902, again in 1904, and from 1915 thru 1916. He died on January 26, 1928, at the age of 79

The tavern stayed in the Groskopf family, eventually run by Louis' son Edward, until at least the 1960s

Historic

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Blue Island - Founded 1835

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Immigration • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 41° 39.036′ N, 87° 40.872′ W. Marker is on Blue Island, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Worth Township. It is on Old Western Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13328 Old Western Ave, Blue Island IL 60406, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago

and in the Calumet Region.

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 Klein Residence, Tavern, & Boarding House (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Heimbach's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Jebens Hardware Store

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 31, 2025

2. The "Groskopf Corner" Marker

The marker is to the left of the entrance to the Rock Island Public House.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Stephan & Martha Jones House (within shouting distance of this marker); Herman & Sophia Heimbach House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fiedler-Mohr Motors (about 400 feet away); Henry & Catherine Doehler House (about 600 feet away); Blue Island's Sister Cities (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blue Island.

More about this marker. As of 2025, the tavern occupying the site is the Rock Island Public House, which has been in business since 2013.

Also see . . . Rock Island Public House official site. (Submitted on June 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 31, 2025

3. The "Groskopf Corner" Marker

The intersection of Broadway Street and Old Western Avenue is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.