Tag Archives: Winnetka A to Z

“A” is for Academy Hall

Gazette Article by Trish Early, Summer 1995 In the late 1860s a group of Winnetkans met to discuss the interests of higher education in the community. As a result Academy Hall and an accompanying dormitory were built in 1870. Initially the University of Chicago agreed to lease and maintain the buildings and provide a non-sectarian school […]

“B” is for Burnham Log House

Gazette Article by: Trish Early Appeared in the Gazette: Fall 1995 Several years ago when the Minnesota Historical Society reopened its exhibit area, a unique approach was taken to interpret its history from “A to Z.” Various objects and topics were depicted by “letters,” and visitors moved through the gallery “alphabetically.” The editorial board of […]

Costumed children outside the Community House, circa 1915

“C” is for Community House

Gazette Article by Trish Early, Winter 1995 Although officially known as Winnetka Community House, this institution has been lovingly referred to simply as “Community House” for 84 years. In fact this shortened version was the original name proposed by the Rev. J. W. F. Davies, its founder, a month prior to its dedication on November […]

Track Depression construction, 1941.

“D” is for Depression of the Tracks

Gazette Article by: Trish Early Appeared in the Gazette: Spring 1996 Upon hearing of the tragedy last fall when a school bus was struck by a train in Fox River Grove, we in Winnetka were again grateful for that prudent decision to separate the grade of the streets and the tracks in our community. Unfortunately, […]

“E” is for Elm Street

Gazette Article by: Jan Tubergen Appeared in the Gazette: Summer 1996 Several years ago when the Minnesota Historical Society reopened its exhibit area, a unique approach was taken to interpret its history from “A to Z.” Various objects and topics were depicted by “letters,” and visitors moved through the gallery “alphabetically.” The editorial board of […]

Frank Windes' plans for the track depression project, 1906. Notice how similar his designs are to the way the tracks and bridge appear today at Elm Street.

“F” is for Frank Windes

Gazette Article by Daniel Berenbeg, Fall 1996 Updated 2022 Frank Windes played a major role in many aspects of Winnetka’s development, from civil engineering to the Fourth of July celebration. Born in Jasper, Tennessee in 1872, he moved here from Chicago with his family in 1879. Windes grew up in Winnetka, attending Winnetka schools and […]

“G” is for Green Bay Trail

Gazette Article by Laurie Starrett, Winter 1996 When you stroll along the Green Bay Trail in Winnetka, you are not actually walking on the original Green Bay Trail. Today’s route is a hiking and biking path that extends nine and one-half miles from Wilmette to Highland Park. In Winnetka it runs alongside the METRA tracks on […]

“H” is for William Gold Hibbard

Gazette Article by: Jane Lord Appeared in the Gazette: Spring 1997 Several years ago when the Minnesota Historical Society reopened its exhibit area, a unique approach was taken to interpret its history from “A to Z.” Various objects and topics were depicted by “letters,” and visitors moved through the gallery “alphabetically.” The editorial board of […]

“I” is for Improvement Society

Gazette Article by: Terry Piet Appeared in the Gazette: Summer 1997 Several years ago when the Minnesota Historical Society reopened its exhibit area, a unique approach was taken to interpret its history from “A to Z.” Various objects and topics were depicted by “letters,” and visitors moved through the gallery “alphabetically.” The editorial board of […]

U.S. Postal Service records showing Joel Kinney's appointment as postmaster at Winnetka in 1857. He likely distributed mail out of the Kinney Store.

“K” is for Kinney Store

by Christine Fullerton Appeared in the Gazette, Winter 1997 Updated 2022 The southwest corner of Oak and Linden Streets has changed a lot in 140 years. The one thing that has remained constant is the concentration of traffic there. One of the busiest intersections in the village today, it also was a hub of activity […]