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News
MAY-YESTERYEAR : News : Oswego Ledger-Sentinel : Hometown Newspaper for Oswego and Montgomery, Illinois
Compiled from articles published in the Ledger-Sentinel, 1980-present; Fox Valley Sentinel, 1974-1980; Oswego Ledger, 1949 to 1980; Kendall County Record, 1864 to present; and historical information provided by the Village of Montgomery.
Five years ago this month...
Construction was proceeding on the Oswego Fire Protection District's fourth fire station at the northeast corner of Simons and Gilmore roads in Plainfield.
Carrie Hansen resigned as Oswego's village administrator.
Hansen, who served in the position since January 2002, submitted a letter of resignation to the village board during an executive session.
Contractors were busy putting the finishing touches on the new Montgomery Police Station. The station was under construction on the north side of U.S. Route 30, about one-quarter mile west of Orchard Road. Police Chief Dennis Schmidt told the village board that work was "progressing very well" on the $6.2 million facility.
10 years ago this month...
By a wide margin, respondents to an unscientific Village of Oswego survey indicated they would use a Metra Park-n-Ride commuter facility if one were located off Orchard Road on the village's west side. Out of 41 total survey respondents, 28 (61 percent) answered "yes" when asked if they would use a Park-n-Ride facility while 13 (32) percent indicated they would not.
The Montgomery Village Board gave its final approval for plans for the construction of the village's first residential subdivision, west of Orchard Road, Lakewood Creek. With 761 total residences, Lakewood Creek was also the largest single residential development yet approved by the village.
The Montgomery Village Board approved a rezoning request to allow an auto dealership to open at the former site of the Hines Lumber yard at Ill. Route 31 and Webster Street.
Acting on the recommendation of Carrie Hansen, Oswego's community development director, the village board adopted a new comprehensive land use plan. The plan anticipated the village's population would increase from just over 12,000 to 25,000 by the year 2010.
Contractors for the Oswego School District were proceeding with the construction of an addition to Oswego High School and two new elementary schools, Homestead in Aurora and Fox Chase in Oswego. The OHS addition included 26 classrooms.
15 years ago this month...
Construction started in Yorkville on a new county courthouse building. The 42,000 square foot facility was planned to replace the county's existing courthouse, which was built in 1864. County officials said they expected the building would be large enough to meet the county's needs for the next 20 years.
The Montgomery Village Board voted to replace or upgrade all water meters in the village and the unincorporated Boulder Hill Subdivision. The board acted after determining the village's water system was losing substantial amounts of water due to malfunctioning meters.
A new era in Oswego municipal government began when Budd Bieber was sworn-in as village president. Bieber succeeded Richard Saletri, who had served one term. Moments after being sworn-in, Bieber asked village staff members if there was anything the village could do to prevent the widening of U.S. Route 34 through the village's downtown business district. Jeff Humm, village public works superintendent, told Bieber and the village board it was too late to attempt to prevent the state from moving ahead with the construction.
20 years ago this month...
In a 4-2 vote the Oswego Village Board approved the installation of traffic signals on Douglas Road at the main entrance drive to the new Townes Crossing shopping center. The vote was split because two board members favored the installation of the signals at the intersection of Fernwood and Douglas roads.
Kendall County State's Attorney Dallas Ingemunson charged that Oswego School District officials had failed to live up to an earlier pledge to report all criminal violations that occurred at Oswego High School. However, school district officials maintained they were doing a good job in reporting suspected criminal behavior among students.
John Taylor, director of the Kendall County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA), announced that he expected the Boulder Hill civil defense siren would be operational by June. The device had not been operational for at least several months.
25 years ago this month...
Oswego School District Board members announced they had hired Dr. Terry Tamblyn as the district's new superintendent, succeeding the retiring John Bednarcik. Tamblyn had served previously as superintendent of the Malta Public School District near DeKalb.
Jim Detzler was sworn-in as Oswego Village President. Detzler identified correcting persistent flooding problems in the village's Brookside Manor Subdivision as one of the first priorities of his administration.
30 years ago this month...
Kendall County Sheriff's police were investigating an armed robbery at a gas station on Ill. Route 31 between Oswego and Montgomery, and the burglary of a nursery school in Boulder Hill.
Organizers of the annual Oswego Days community celebration announced that the June event would again feature an amateur canoe race from Montgomery Park to the U.S. Route 34 bridge in Oswego.
35 years ago this month...
Boulder Hill developer Don L. Dise discussed the origins of the unincorporated subdivision and answered homeowners' questions during the monthly meeting of the Boulder Hill Civic Association. Dise also detailed how the subdivision came to receive water service from the Village of Montgomery. Dise commended the association for its work on behalf of subdivision residents.
The spring musical at Oswego High School was the ever-popular "Hello Dolly." Sharing the role of Dolly Levi were Mary Olson and Margaret Porter. Among those working the spot lights off stage was Tim McCann, an OHS sophomore.
A sign of spring occurred on May 5 in downtown Oswego when Foxy's Burger Bar on Jefferson Street re-opened for the spring and summer seasons.
The Montgomery Village Board reviewed proposals for flood control measures in the village's Parkview Estates Subdivision, constructed in the Waubonsie Creek floodplain in the 1960s.
40 years ago this month...
The Montgomery Village Board was considering a controversial plan for a large trailer park proposed off Douglas Road, north of U.S. Route 30. The project site was located within the boundaries of the Oswego School District. Area residents had their chance to voice their opinions on the project during a public hearing at Nicholson Elementary School.
45 years ago this month...
Grocery stores on Main Street in downtown Oswego were actively competing for local customers with weekly sales, according to advertisements in the Ledger. At Bohn's Food Store, at 60 Main Street, baby beef liver was on sale for 39 cents a pound. Just down the street at Denney's sliced bacon was going for just 43 cents a pound. Meanwhile, on sale at Carr's Department store, also on Main Street, were Red Ball Jets canvas sports shoes.
The Ledger reported that a number of flowering trees and shrubs had been planted in the Oswegoland Park District's SuzanJohn Park in Boulder Hill.
50 years ago this month...
Wally Smith, representing the Oswego Dragway, asked the Oswego Village Board to pay half of the dragway's expenses for having a police officer direct traffic through the village on race days. Traffic back-ups on Route 34 through the village were common when the dragway, located two miles west of the village on Route 34, was open. The board referred the request to a committee for further study.
The Aurora YMCA was the site of Oswego High School's post prom party May 14. The Ledger noted that post proms were a "fairly recent innovation on the part of parents and communities in an effort to keep the youngsters off the highways on prom nights."
The Soviet Union may have had Sputnik, but Oswego had the "Satellite Restaurant" on U.S. Route 34 at Ill. Route 71. The owner was "Scotty" Glen.
The U.S. Civil Service Commission was accepting applications from individuals interested in taking an examination for the position of Oswego Postmaster. The annual salary for the position was $5,385. The Ledger reported that applications would not be accepted from any one age 70 or older.
Commencement exercises for 54 Oswego High School seniors were held at the school May 31. Class salutatorian was Susan Cherry. Valedictorian was Alice Ebinger. Also speaking was activities award winner Dennis Hastert and sportsmanship and athletics award winner Tom Jarman.
Graduation exercises for 106 eighth grade students were May 27 in the Oswego High School gym. Salutatorian was Jack Troy. Valedictorian was Pat Meyers.
55 years ago this month...
Youngsters with BB guns were a problem in Oswego, according to a report in the Oswego Ledger. Milton "Les" Penn, chairman of the village board's law and order committee, announced that any youngsters found shooting a BB gun inside village limits "will be dealt with according to statute."
The Montgomery Village Board went on record in opposition to a proposal by the U.S. Post Office to consolidate the post offices in the village and North Aurora with the Aurora post office. The board agreed to send letters expressing their concern to U.S. Rep. Chauncey Reed, and Senators Everett Dirksen and Paul Douglas.
Kendall County doctors and their wives held a dinner meeting in the Yorkville Masonic Lodge last week to mark the presentation of a charter to the newly organized Kendall County Medical Society.
60 years ago this month...
The Ledger reported that on "Friday, May 12, the juniors of the Oswego High School entertained the seniors, faculty and the board members at a dinner dance in the school gym. The theme of the evening was 'Ye Olde South.' A delicious ham dinner was prepared by the junior mothers, with the sophomore boys dressed as colored waiters, serving the meal in typical southern style. Dinner music was furnished by Roger Voughtman's orchestra."
65 years ago this month...
The German surrender to the Allied forces was celebrated across the country. The Kendall County Record's Oswego Township correspondent started his report May 9: "How can a mere reporter for township news write a column this Monday, May 7, when the radio is buzzing with world news of unconditional surrender."
Preston "P.O." Douglas was appointed chairman of the Montgomery Village Board's streets and alleys committee during the board's monthly meeting May 7.
70 years ago this month...
The new highway which connects routes 34, 126, and 47 is ready for paving and work was begun the first of the week at the intersection of Route 34 just east of Oswego and connects with 126 and 47 a short distance south of Yorkville.
May 15: Write down and tell your grandchildren that it snowed all day, May 1 and 2, with the temperature a little above freezing. There was some ice May 3.
75 years ago this month...
The Record's Oswego correspondent reported May 1: "Fire destroyed the roof and attic of Turtle Rock Inn on Friday afternoon, April 26. It is not known how the fire originated but it seems to have started in the attic or roof. The inn and the owners, Mr. and Mrs. James Curry, are well and favorably known for the many society events that have been held in this beautiful inn. The Aurora and Bristol fire departments responded to calls for assistance and saved the lower part of the house. The Turtle Rock Inn will be remodeled; the work beginning as soon as the insurance has been adjusted." Turtle Rock Inn was an old stone barn built in 1834 at the north end of the Oswego bridge. Mr. and Mrs. Curry bought the building and property from route 34 to the river in 1927 remodeled the building and landscaped the grounds, beginning their occupancy there in 1929.
80 years ago this month...
"The Alexander Lumber Company of Aurora has bought out the Oswego Lumber Company," the Record reported.
90 years ago this month...
"The Clark livery barn has again changed hands and is now managed by Harry Clark, who will conduct a sales place as well as doing all kinds of trucking," the Record reported from Oswego on May 10, 1920. The livery barn was located at the site of today's Oswego Cyclery at Main and Jackson Street in downtown Oswego.
"The Congregational church burned to the ground and fire badly damaged the Charles Richards home next to it," the Record reported in the same issue. The Oswego Congregational Church had been dedicated in May 1895 after the original church also burned to the ground. The church was located at Main and Tyler streets in Oswego.
95 years ago this month...
The May 5 Record contained this announcement, "The Oswego Grammar Association of the Oswego public school will give a basket social at the schoolhouse Saturday evening, May 8."
"The Oswego grammar school has a well-organized baseball team this year and are now awaiting the arrival of opponents," the Record reported.
The Record published this obituary: "Dr. Thomas B. Drew of Oswego, coroner of Kendall county, died at the Augustanna Hospital in Chicago Wednesday evening, April 28, after a fifth operation to restore his health. About two years ago he underwent his first operation for bowel trouble and this was followed at intervals by four more, the doctor getting out for his practice at intervals but always finding it necessary to return to the operating table. The doctor was a sturdy Scotchman, blunt, honest and square and his death makes many hearts sore that had received solace at his hands. He was a young man, striving to make a name for himself and was beset by misfortune on many sides. He was a defendant in several lawsuits and while he won all of them, it was thought that the worry had in a measure undermined him. The funeral was held from the late home with interment at Spring Lake Cemetery, Aurora, where his father is buried."
The Record also reported, "The dust nuisance of our town is settled as the streets are now being oiled...A fine tennis court is being prepared on the [Red Brick] school grounds for the use of the young people during the summer."
110 years ago this month...
"The rebuilding of the Shickler block has progressed very rapidly," the Record reported from Oswego on May 9, 1900. "It is being made much more imposing than it was formerly; the corner bay window is ahead of anything that Oswego has had yet." The Shickler block is the group of stores at Main and Washington housing the Marmalade Tree and Art's Barbershop. The building had been badly damaged by a fire in March 1900.
115 years ago this month...
"The Fox River Gravel Works, now on Cowdrey's farm, is now fully active," the Record's Oswego correspondent reported on May 22, 1895. The area is now known as Saa Wee Kee Park and is also part of the Barber-Greene Hunting and Fishing Club.
Cycling was as popular a century ago as it is today. "The bicycle rage has struck Oswego hard. A two-seated bicycle was in town last Monday," the Record reported, adding, "All interested in getting up a bicycle club and a road race for May 30 are to meet at Barrett's store Thursday evening at 8:00."
120 years ago this month...
Problems with Demon Rum were in the Record's Oswego news column on May 7, 1890. "Oh, how dry Oswego has been since the first of May. The new council members voted not to extend any saloon or billiard hall licenses," the paper's Oswego correspondent wrote, adding, "Don't' grumble about it being cold. A dry March, wet April, and cool May promises much fruit, corn, grain, and hay."
125 years ago this month...
"The lecture Friday evening on the 'Negro Problems' by a colored reverend was most interesting. The same gentleman also preached at the Methodist Church on Sunday morning," the Record reported from Oswego on May 27, 1885. The site of the lecture is today's Little White School Museum.
130 years ago this month...
The Record's Oswego correspondent reported that residents of Millington had scheduled an afternoon picnic in a grove near the village that contained several Indian burial mounds. The group was planning to dig up the contents of the mound. The correspondent suggested it was wrong to desecrate the graves, even though the ancient Indians in question had not been Christian. "The cemeteries of the present day may in time become subject to investigation--they are so already to a small extent--the silver plate of coffins and jewelry on corpses may prove more desirable relics than the arrow heads and other trinkets of the Aborigines. The setting of precedents should be discouraged."
135 years ago this month...
Oswego was a beehive of activity, based on this report published in the Record May 6: "Notwithstanding the disagreeable weather the past week, our people bore themselves gently and serenely. Business was also quite active. Haight and the Hawley Brothers did a large trade in general merchandise. The milliner store, the favorite place of the ladies, is fixed up nicer than ever. Its business is rapidly increasing both in the salesroom and dressmaking department. Furniture was carried away by the wagonloads from Shaver's establishment. At the hardware store, all hands were busy from morning to night. L. N. Hall was busy dispensing drugs, paints and notions. The post office received its usual patronage. The postmaster is also agent for two Atlantic Steamship lines, the White Star and Anchor. The grocery merchants enjoyed a good trade. Coffin and Son renovated their store and rearranged their goods. The restaurant had a good run of custom. The saloons kept pace with the rest. The butchers furnished excellent meat. The depot was all animation. Van Doozer was very active in his barbarous business. The boarding house did unusually well. The livery stable had its share of customers. Samse and Jones are turning out the latest style of spring suits for men and boys as fast as they can. The painters are making a great change in the appearance of some of our houses. The windmill men have been active and the lightning rodders are all out. The lawyers and doctors are up and doing well except Dr. Putt whom is down nursing a cold. Newton was occupied with judiciary and collection matters. The insurance agents were not idle. Mechanics of every kind had all the work they could do. Gardeners were in great demand and all other pursuits of industry were prosperous."
140 years ago this month...
On May 12, 1870, the Record's Oswego correspondent reported that "It has been suggested that a grave yard meeting be called at an early day for the purpose of devising ways and means of keeping the hogs from making the graveyard their running ground. The gates are torn down from the hinges and have been laying around for a long time. It is nobody's job to re-hang them so they just lay on the ground and rot."
A week later, the Oswego news was that "Sidewalks on the east side of Main St. from Jefferson on to the drug store and from Wash. St. to the premises of W.L. Fowler are to be constructed-being at least four feet wide, of durable boards, and with not less than three sleepers."
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