Smokers rights in Downers Grove

The exercise of our freedoms is always important. If you don't use your freedoms they might disappear. Ballydoyle in Downers Grove is a bastion for smokers rights.

How many communicable diseases are represented in those butts?

Is there an active health department in DuPage County?

Very slick intersection, Grove and Carpenter. Downers Grove

I posted this video on the Village of Downers Grove FB page. It isn't there anymore that I can see. If I am wrong let me know. I'm not that well versed about Facebook. I little bit of snow turned the brick sections of Grove Street and Carpenter Street into an adventure. This was on the 25th. VIDEO Grove & Carpenter

Walker Motor Sales 933 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, Illinois

I came across this matchbook on eBay. This is the first time I have ever heard of this Buick dealership. Most are familiar with Baughman Buick. Can anyone tell me some history of this dealership?

If you bought your car at Walker Motor Sales you would have a smile on your face, so I am told.

If you didn't buy your car at Walker Motor Sales, possibly bad shit might happen. This would make you sad and put a frown on your face.

                                                933 Curtiss as it appears today.

Duellman's Motel on Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove

I drove by there today, November 4, 2013. This is the first time I have ever stopped to look at the place. I have never stayed there or even thought about it. It was probably a nice place at one time. It is easy to imagine a rendezvous at this motel on the highway many years ago. If you have a story to tell, please do.

The cars in the post card look late 1960's. What stories those rooms could tell.

Oh how I wish someone had written a note on this card. It would have been very easy to weave a wicked tale around it.

I don't usually do sweet.

                                         But this is about as sweet as one can get.

ROAD HOG!

I just acquired this card on eBay. It was sent from Downers Grove 70 years ago. Both sides of the card say something about the time, 1943.

Hardly anybody mentions the Blue Ribbon Bakeware Company in Downers Grove anymore.

We actually use the bakeware from the Blue Ribbon Bakeware Company in Downers Grove. I know I don't have the complete set but in my mind I know that I have enough. These molds are stamped out of aluminum. I know there are expensive cast aluminum molds out there. Crate and Barrel sells them. I prefer these both because they were made in Downers Grove and because they are light and don't use a lot of material. They must be at least 50 years old now and have held up very well.

                                   This is the inside of the booklet that came with the lamb mold.

                  The famous Hearts Entwined cake pan mold. I wish the box held up as well as the mold.

                                      This is one end of the Hearts Entwined cake pan box.

Mochel's Hardware

Yes, for a long time I was able to walk into town and buy the hardware that I needed. I can still get most of the hardware that I need, but now I have to get into the car and drive. Mochel's Hardware was as good a reason to walk into town as any.  One day around the holidays we were surprised to find a Santa Claus in the store. I kind of remember that Santa as the real Santa. I might be reading too much into this.
I understand that there exists a 50 year anniversary round plate commemorating Mochel's Hardware. I don't have it. I do have a 75 year dish and a 100 year tile commemorating Mochel's.

 

                            Two 6 inch tiles commemorating Mochel's 100 years in business.

How Much Excitement Can You Take!

                              Sometimes it really is the little things, if you can call 1938 little.
                                                                 

                                              Downers was strange before I ever got here.

                                                                           Poker Chips
                                                  I don't know the story behind any of this.

A thing of beauty in 1938 Downers Grove was the Nash automobile, or so I've been told.

After witnessing the Martian landing in their brand new 1938 Nash, Mr. and Mrs. Downers Grove probably drove over to Luke's Grill and Liquor Store for some courage.

They played card games until the Martians were routed by germs and lived happy and full filled lives ever after.

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The Lake - Downers Grove

        Is this Prince Pond or is it what is now known as Barth Pond? It sure isn't a lake.

This card left here for Los Angeles, California a century ago. Some how it found it's way back to Downers Grove. Blessing or curse!?

Even an average writer should be able to make something of this!

             This could almost be a clue in a Maigret mystery. Ah, but this is a mystery from the Downers Grove past.

This is from 1906 so it is not likely we'll get an explanation about "Picture No.4". So in my head maybe I'll have to make up my own story.

Yellow Milk in Downers Grove

This is one of my favorite eBay finds. It describes a slice of Downers Grove life a century ago. The child didn't want to drink her Downers Grove yellow milk. Yellow milk!? I spoke with an old fellow that once lived on a Kansas farm. He said that when cows ate dandelions their milk would be yellow instead of the white that we are accustomed to.

A Beautiful Downers Grove Driveway but where is it? A Century Ago?

Somebody thought this Downers Grove driveway was nice enough to make a post card of it. Where is this driveway? I can't find a year on this card but I know it is old.

"Having a swell time here in Downers Grove" Somethings just never change. Was this where Etta was staying? What ever became of Etta?  Post cards like this become a mysterious slice of life.

Givens Company made a road trip convenience.

Back before McDonald's and all the other roadside fast food stops, where could you stop if the kids had to pee. Besides fast food, these restaurants promised clean rest rooms. Can you remember the bathrooms at the gas stations that you stopped at on road trips before McDonald's, can you ever forget!?
Downers Grove based Givens Company made a product that saved parents the anxiety of stopping at filthy gas station rest rooms.

I don't know how many times I've seen this item on eBay being sold as a juice container.

                                            I'm pretty sure that I now have the complete set.

Main Street Card

I tried to get one of these cards for many years. There are many of them out there but there are also many people who collect "Main Street" postcards.  All those collectors must have been looking the other way a couple weeks ago when I was the only bidder on eBay. I got it for a song. I've seen these go for around 20 dollars.

This is the back of the card. I guess before there were Hunger Games, there were Pupil Games. I hope none were lost!

Another Tuesday, another snow storm.

     Main and Curtiss and snow and slush.

In 1907 a little girl sent this postcard to a friend. She told a dumb joke in her communication. It still makes me chuckle every time I read it.

As long as I'm doing this snow thing I might as well include this card too. It says Downers Grove is pictured here. Can anyone tell me where this photo was taken?

It snowed on Tuesday

It snowed on Tuesday. It wasn't particularly cold but it was a serious snow. I went out and took some pictures. This is one of them.
There must have been more warmth in Downers Grove at one time. I had to go back to 1962 to find it.

                                                   Somebody came out here to rest!?
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Hear Muffs!

When I came across this add on eBay I just couldn't pass it up. One day watching WGN in the morning odd adds were featured. Yes! This add made the cut!

Last Word Restaurant

Before The Omega was the long standing restaurant in Downers Grove, the title probably belonged to The Last Word. This restaurant stood about where Sears hardware stands today on Ogden Ave. I hear that the fried chicken there was excellent. Before the building was torn down I seem to remember it being the R Place restaurant. I might be wrong though.
I have to dig up my Last Word matchbook covers. I'll post them here when I find them.