Naper Nostalgia
Growing up in Naperville – Memories of Municipal Band, movies and malts
I know I’ve mentioned it in the past, but my mom and dad both played in the Naperville Municipal Band. Mom loved the classic...
Who is Ellsworth School and Ellsworth Street named after?
Lewis Ellsworth was born in Walpole, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, July 22, 1805, the son of Nathan Ellsworth and Betsey B. Palmer.
He moved to...
The first DuPage County Clerk
Hiram Hitchcock Cody was born June 11, 1824, in Vernon Center, Oneida County, New York, the son of Hiram Cody and Huldah Calantha Hitchcock.
...
James Wright built the mansion, perfect for Mesòn Sabika
The plaque at the front door to the restaurant now known as Mesòn Sabika states that the building was erected by James Wright for...
Who was Alexander McSwain Sheridan Riddler?
Alexander McSwain Sheridan Riddler was born March 1, 1837, in New York City, the second child of 13 born to John Jamieson Riddler and...
Riverwalk Reflections, 31-40, help tell a 40-year-old story
Above / Pete Dwyer, Naperville North ‘03, visited Naperville over Labor Day Weekend with his family, eager to show his wife and two children...
Riverwalk Reflections, 21-30, help tell a 40-year-old story
Above / This view from Eagle Street where the Riverwalk begins to venture west toward its final destination at the Jefferson Street Bridge is...
Meet a former principal, school superintendent and Naperville mayor
Francis Austin Kendall was born February 15, 1853, in Rochester, Fulton County, Indiana, the son of John Kendall and Margaretta Snyder.
His mother passed away...
Growing up in Naperville – The band shell
It is a matter of Naperville history that dating back to the early 1900s, there have been four band stands in our town.
The first...
The Y – Strengthening communities for over 175 years
On June 6, 1844, George Williams and 11 other young men held a meeting in London that would lead to the founding of the...
Growing up in Naperville – A funny thing happened on the way to band practice!
Over the years of hearing stories from my dad about all the crazy things that happened to the Naperville Municipal Band (NMB), I began...
Growing up in Naperville – June is bustin’ out all over!
As a very young boy, about age 5, I remember walking with my Aunt Pearl from our house on Ellsworth Street south to the...
Centennial Beach is set to open Memorial Day Weekend
Above / Naperville Park District is preparing to open Centennial Beach on Sat., May 29, 2021, where "Life's a Beach" and plenty of parking...
Naper Settlement explores Naperville’s World War II story
Naper Settlement’s new exhibit, “Answering the Call: Naperville at War 1941-1945”, on view now through January 2022, explores life for Napervillians during World War II...
Growing up in Naperville – Summertime post WWII
On April 25 a small group of “old timers” gathered at the Naperville Train Station, just east of Fourth Avenue, to commemorate the 75th...
Growing up in Naperville – April showers?
Well, living in Naperville or northern Illinois, for that matter, you can be sure there is no guarantee on the weather.
My dad talked about...
Growing up in Naperville – March, march, march
This month, let’s talk about the March!
March, March, March on! March in parades. Play a March.
I thought March would be a good time to...
Growing up in Naperville – Sledding, Christmas trees and a scary section of town!
In the early forties at the end of World War II, there were no big hills or the sled hill at Rotary Hill. We...
Follow street signs on Presidents Day, discover local lore and more
Above / In Naperville, Illinois, the street named for President George Washington runs north to south. The city's most important thoroughfare crosses under the...
Growing up in Naperville – NCHS Class of ’57 Reunion
Happy New Year 2021! I thought these memories from the 60th Class Reunion of Naperville Central High School in 2017 would be a great...
Latest News
Naperville firefighters respond to structure fire on Chicago Avenue near Columbia
Naperville Fire Department fights structure fire at residence located in 700 block of Chicago Ave. No civilian injuries. One firefighter suffered a minor injury,...
