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1921 – 100 YEARS AGO
Our very good friend Charlie Faltz, of the Somonauk Reveille, seems to be working himself up quite needlessly about an article in The Chronicle of last week concerning the matter of the route for the state trunk line south from this city. The Chronicle told of the proposed plan to go straight south, passing up the cement road already constructed into Waterman and crossing the Burlington a mile east of Waterman. If it is wiser to build the road straight south from this city, by all means do so, but it is likely that Waterman will make a vigorous protest, which is what The Chronicle said in its article.
Parents are warned today to admonish their children about hooking their sleds on automobiles in various parts of the town. It is reported that this is a common practice now, and when they let go of the rope and coast, they have endangered their own lives on several occasions.
The Illinois commerce commission today entered the following orders: Granting a certificate of convenience and necessity to the DeKalb County Telephone Company to extend its rural telephone line north to Colvin Park and to furnish a telephone service along its line.
Another locomotive of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad was transferred from the St. Paul roundhouse yesterday morning to the Chicago, Milwaukee & Gary line. Two other engines were taken over last week. The transfer is an anticipation of the acquisition of the Gary road the first of the year by the C. M. & St. P. Company. The Gary line is badly in need of additional locomotives.
Mailmen of DeKalb had one of the busiest times in the history of the post office during the last week or 10 days. They state unanimously they carried the greatest amount of mail they have ever carried. The regulars had the subcarriers, and some of the old-timers did not have a chance to get on the other side of the street during the last week. Cards, letters and parcels were more numerous than ever before, according to reports and every mailman had at least one assistant. The parcel post wagon had a helper and the two were compelled to keep going hard and fast all day.
Some of the city’s most beautiful trees on West Lincoln Highway have been topped the last day or two, and now present a very unsightly appearance. The work is being done by the telephone construction gang, and as one man said this morning, it was the first time he knew of a telephone gang knowing how to trim trees. The row of shade trees on West Lincoln Highway adjoining Mrs. Mayo’s property, have been cut from the top to make room for some new telephone wires and the trees look as if a cyclone had struck them.
1946 – 75 YEARS AGO
On Thursday, Jan. 2, the parking meters in DeKalb will be placed in use and enforcement of the parking meter ordinance will be ordered. Although the meters have been ready for the past couple of weeks, city officials decided that enforcement would not start until Jan. 2.
Word was received in DeKalb today by Sen. Dennis J. Collins from Walter A. Rosenfield, director of public works and buildings, that the proposed widening of the main streets of the village of Shabbona has received official sanction. The widening of the main thoroughfare in the village will be increased approximately 22 feet in the near future. Through the efforts of Sen. Collins, who has been instrumental in pushing the project, the net results were made public today.
Work has been started on the new cafeteria at the Northern Illinois State Teachers College, excavation activities having been started about a week ago. The cafeteria building is being sent here from Camp McCoy, Wis. The contract for the construction of the cafeteria has been let to the W. E. O’Neil Company of Chicago, the construction company also having erected part of the barracks at the college. Three loads of building material have already arrived in this city. All but three of the 18 barracks units at the college have been accepted by the school and the others will be accepted as soon as sinks arrive.
Six veterans and families have moved into their new homes in the Parkview subdivision in Sycamore. Although the homes are not complete, the veterans have moved into them anyway. One vital factor is finished now and that is the water and sewer systems. Some homes still do not have the gas mains in and those families are unable to heat water and cook, but they have moved into the homes regardless of this. There is still much work to be done on the houses before they can be called completed.
1971 – 50 YEARS AGO
One DeKalb woman seems to be more unlucky than other residents who have lost their holiday yard lighting. Mrs. Erwin Koehler of College Avenue has been the victim of thefts three times in the past week. On Tuesday night last week, thieves came into the yard and unscrewed several bulbs from light strings on evergreens. Then again on Wednesday night more were taken. She put a spotlight on the yard and attached a note to the remaining lights asking ”What’s the idea of stealing my lights?” Last night, between 9 and 10 p.m. thieves came by again and this time took all the strings and bulbs remaining except for the one set closest to the front porch. The spotlight was disconnected and the note gone.
Rural DeKalb County was free of injury accidents over the holiday weekend, but the city of DeKalb had two injured Saturday night. A minor accident on Sycamore Road in front of DeVal Shopping Center Friday afternoon involved three cars and resulted in some facial cuts on one girl who was given first aid at the scene by DeKalb police.
1996 – 25 YEARS AGO
The biggest toy craze to hit the nation this Christmas may have helped fuel lofty receipt totals at many toy stores, but even beyond “Elmo fever,” holiday sales in general were not a disappointment. And, for many local retailers, sales were even greater than anticipated. The “Tickle Me Elmo” doll, which retails for just under $27 at most stores, appeared to cause as much commotion this year as the Cabbage Patch doll of the ‘80s.
Although eager patrons must wait a few more weeks before utilizing Sycamore Public Library’s new expansion facility, the added convenience offered should be worth the wait. In fact, since the original sandstone structure was built in 1905, except for remodeling the basement some 25 years ago, both staff and patrons alike have had to make do with only about 6,500 square feet of space. Over time, even that space has continued to get smaller.
The Kirkland Village Board unanimously approved covering some of the costs involved in a potential buyout of the trailer park devastated during last summer’s floods. Kirkland officials say the move is another step in continuing the process of buying out the trailer park to prevent future flood damage, a process known as mitigation.
– Compiled by Sue Breese