I am looking for a Father’s Day gift. In my search for the perfect gift, I noticed some particularly interesting Naperville ads and articles from the 1960s. This month I am asking my readers to help find information or artifacts for the Naperville Heritage Society!
Remember the Wil-O-Way Dairy? An ad from 1961 shows a cow and a baby’s face with the words, “As long as he needs her you can depend upon Wil-O-Way Dairy.” Does anyone have a bottle or advertisements from Wil-O-Way dairy that they would like to donate to the museum?
In 1963 a notice was printed that the Naperville Township office “has moved to 105 South Main.” Where was it before it moved to Main Street?
That same year Secret Service agents set up a sting operation in Naperville to catch two Chicago counterfeiters trying to sell $20 bill printing plates. The operation was a success and the counterfeiters went to jail. Does anyone have any more information about where the sting took place?
Does anyone remember Mrs. Helen Welzel? Do you have a picture and stories of her to share? She was a music teacher at the high school, Beebe, Highlands, Naper and Ellsworth Elementary Schools between 1954 and 1965. Her retirement was announced at the end of the school year in 1965 after which she embarked on a European tour with her husband Orville, also a teacher.
In December of 1966, the Woman’s Auxiliary of Naperville VFW started to compile a list of all the men serving in the armed forces, primarily Vietnam. Does anyone have a copy of this list?
“Rooms to Let! Martin Mansion 12 Court Place” read the caption from a 1967 article. The picture attached to the article shows a bird house in the shape of the Seattle Space Needle with the spire of Ss. Peter & Paul in the background. The bird house was built by George Wilson for his son, Don. Does anyone know if this birdhouse still exists?
Finally, in May of 1969 I found the perfect Father’s Day gift! Moser Lumber, the “Homemaker’s Center” offered the following suggestion, “Give your Dad . . . an intricately carved [duck] that is beautifully executed in California redwood.” Does anyone have one of these ducks? It would be the perfect Father’s Day gift to the museum!
