St Charles Local History

105 E. Main Street

St. Charles gained yet another of its landmark public buildings in the 1920s. In 1926, following much fanfare, the Arcada theater opened to the public. view entry > | edit entry >

This Tudor style building was dedicated on May 1, 1926, to the memory of Henry Rockwell Baker, and to St. Charles veterans of World War I. Henry Baker (1891-1914), the only child of Mr. and Mrs.… view entry > | edit entry >

Upon the dedication of the First Methodist Church on September 19, 1954, "Colonel" Edward J. Baker once again illustrated his desire to better St. Charles. The church not only reflected his… view entry > | edit entry >

This park is named in honor of Edward J. Baker, St. Charles' great philanthropist who died in 1959. Baker built several buildings that both beautify and serve the community.

During the earliest… view entry > | edit entry >

This stone building, built in 1850, lost any evidence of its original state long ago. Over time, the stone has been covered over with stucco and and the original interior has been altered.

Judge… view entry > | edit entry >

This Greek Revival residence, which William Beith (1818-1901) built of local brick and river stone in 1850, has survived the threat of demolition. The house remains in a relatively unaltered state… view entry > | edit entry >

Nancy Lencioni opened the first store in 1928 at 205 W. Main Street. In the early years, the Blue Goose only sold fruit, vegetables, and a limited number of grocery items. Since its establishment over… view entry > | edit entry >

The house, an example of Gothic Revival architecture, still stands. Inside, the house boasts a spiral staircase. Little has been changed except for the family room, added during the 20th century. The… view entry > | edit entry >

Peter J. Burchell, who became proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel in the early 1840s, served as the hotel tavern keeper prior to taking on management of the whole business. Ferslew's 1857 Kane County… view entry > | edit entry >

What has been known as Burger Drugs for nearly 50 years is part of the Osgood, Hunt, and Morse block which was built around 1896. (Read more on the St. Charles Public Library website) view entry > | edit entry >

This brick building, built in approximately 1850, is one of the oldest commercial buildings in St. Charles.

DeWitt Clinton Pratt came to Illinois in 1845. He moved to St. Charles in 1849 where he… view entry > | edit entry >

Though this area now plays host to athletes and picnickers, it once served as a training ground for soldiers during the Civil War. The camp, which extended from the river to 7th Avenue, was where… view entry > | edit entry >

Now part of the business area, Century Corners, this National Style building once served as a home and place of business for Thomas Collins and his family. Collins, who owned a tailor shop on Second… view entry > | edit entry >

Simon Anderson, the eldest son of Swedish immigrants who had come to St. Charles in the 1870s, established this business in 1901. Following his father's death, the Andersons moved into town from their… view entry > | edit entry >

John Fabian Colson built this Queen Anne style home in 1882. Just a few years prior to the completion of this home, Colson established Colson's Department Store on west Main Street. Having worked for… view entry > | edit entry >

John Foby Colson was born in Sweden in 1853, and came to St. Charles with his family before his second birthday. Colson worked for 12 years as a clerk in L.C. Ward's store. Later he worked as a clerk… view entry > | edit entry >

Completed in 1847, this building stands as the oldest church in St. Charles. It has been in continuous use since its construction. A white spire sits atop the Greek Revivial building which William… view entry > | edit entry >

Dr. Henry M. Crawford, an avid traveler from Ireland, was caught in St. Charles during a heavy snowstorm in 1848. Instead of returning to his home the following spring, Crawford remained in St.… view entry > | edit entry >

This is yet another building in St. Charles that exists due to the philanthropic efforts of Dellora and Lester Norris. Dellora Norris, who reportedly had a vital interest in medicine, built this… view entry > | edit entry >

This extravagant residence, built in 1883 by Mark Dunham (1842-1899), stands as a monument to the once great horse business that made the Dunham family rich and famous. Mark Dunham was the youngest… view entry > | edit entry >

Ira Minard bought the property on which this sprawling house sits from the U.S. Government in 1842. After changing hands several times over a short period, Amos Locke, a native of Vermont who settled… view entry > | edit entry >

Bryant Durant (1807-1898) built this house in 1843, just prior to his marriage to Jerusha Shurtleff. Durant came to Chicago from Massachusetts in 1837 to join his brother, James, in a business… view entry > | edit entry >

In honor of the rich history of the Potawatomi people, a statue was erected in Pottawatomie Park in 1915. Vandalism during the 1960s damaged the statue beyond repair and it had to be removed.

In… view entry > | edit entry >

Built by John Farnsworth in 1860, this house remained in the Farnsworth family until 1879 when the family moved to Chicago. At that time, Charles Minard, the son of early settler, Ira Minard, bought… view entry > | edit entry >

This building, built in 1836 by Ira Minard, served as site of Minard's company store until the early 1840s when Franklin Medical College took over the building.

Franklin Medical College, the first… view entry > | edit entry >