The Glen Ellyn Hotel opened in 1893 for the summer season, with prices ranging from $2.00 to $3.00 per day. After the hotel changed hands several times, in the summer of 1905 it was occupied as a free hospital supported by the Chicago Tribune Company. The next summer the building remained unoccupied and on May 1, 1906 was struck by lightening and completely destroyed by fire.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
What began in the 1890s as a summer resort town shuttling Chicago residents along the Chicago and North Western railroad tracks, set the foundation for what would today become the prosperous village of Glen Ellyn.
Weldon Johnson and his wife Judy have been longtime volunteers in the Archives of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society, helping to expand its role over the years to include historical research.
"The center provides assistance with individual research, access to archival collections, photo processing, scanning, and computerized genealogical research assistance. The Glen Ellyn History Center's emphasis is on local Glen Ellyn history with secondary emphasis given to DuPage County and Chicagoland area history," Weldon Johnson said.
Formerly known as Newton Station, Danby and Prospect Park, a fourth name change to Glen Ellyn occurred in 1891. With its population of 600 residents in the 1890s Glen Ellyn began to advertise itself as a health resort to people from Chicago, thanks to the discovery of its Five Mineral Springs.
The Glen Ellyn Hotel and Springs Company formed and then had the Five Mineral Springs content analyzed by Rush Medical College in Chicago, who said each spring was characterized by its own distinct mineral content. Guests at the Glen Ellyn Hotel began to enjoy mud baths, believing that the mud from around the springs provided medicinal healing benefits.
In 1893 three years after its groundbreaking, the elegant Glen Ellyn Hotel opened for the summer season, with prices ranging from $2.00 to $3.00 per day. The $125,000 building was located on the top of Crescent Ridge, built utilizing typical Victorian architecture that included hot and cold running water and sanitary plumbing. However, it wasn't long before the Hotel and Springs Company became financially challenged.
After the hotel changed hands several times, in the summer of 1905 it was occupied as a free hospital supported by the Chicago Tribune Company. The next summer the building remained unoccupied and on May 1, 1906 it was struck by lightening and destroyed by fire.
Johnson believes history can be powerful and helps people understand the present values and beliefs through collective memories.
"We honor all those who have gone before us and those who currently contribute their time and talents in this work of chronicling the history of our region," Johnson said.
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The Great Western Railroad, located just north of the Corners, built a freight station in 1888 on the south side of the track just west of Main Street in Glen Ellyn.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
Harris W. Phillips built his home at 457 Park Boulevard. The home was razed in the 1950s. Philips arrived in the county from Vermont in 1864 and was a capitalist/farmer.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
The Orrin D. Dodge residence at 405 Main Street in Glen Ellyn was built in 1891. In 1899 Dodge was elected village president.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
The McChesney Grocery originated partially from Joseph R McChesney in the CIvil War. It was located in a frame building on the east side of Main Street between Pennsylvania and Crescent.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
Glen Ellyn's Five Mineral Springs was a popular destination for guests throughout the area, who also enjoyed mud baths. It was believed that the mud around the springs had medicinal qualities.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
Above is a view of the Chicago & Northwestern Station viewed northeast from Stewart Avenue in the early 1900s.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
The first Glen Ellyn High School Class is pictured at Duane Street School in 1894. Luther Grange was the principal and teacher.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
Jabez Dodge and his wife, Alameda Powers Dodge are pictured at the rear of their Glen Ellyn house. Jabez was the 12th child of William Dodge.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
The Free Methodist Church, built in 1886, later merged with the Baptist Church and was moved to Elm and Prairie in 1950.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
Rolling landscape at Five Springs provides summer relief in Glen Ellyn during the late 1890s.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
A Fourth of July parade makes its way down Main Street, north from Penn in Glen Ellyn during the late 1800s.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
A man speaks in front of the Ehlers Hotel in Glen Ellyn during the late 1800s. The hotel was built on the northeast corner of Main Street and Crescent Boulevard.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
The McChesney Brothers buildings in Glen Ellyn during the late 1800s. The building on the left was the McChesney Brothers General Store from 1878-1892. It was moved one lot north to make way for the brick building on the right.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
John Smith, born in Yorkshire, England in 1824 purchased 190 acres of land, some of which included the west part of the Glen Oak Country Club grounds. Smith, who has a street named for his family, built his home on the site of the present 861 Hill Avenue. He died in 1905.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
The Congregational Ladies Aid Society is pictured in Glen Ellyn during the late 1800s. The Congregational Church, built on the southwest corner of Forest and Pennsylvania Avenues, was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1892.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
The president of the Glen Ellyn State Bank, J.D. McChesney, is pictured in the center. The bank was located in the Ehlers Building.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
Ladies pose for a photo in front of the Five Mineral Springs on Riford Road in Glen Ellyn during the late 1800s. The springs flowed into a creek and drained into a marsh which later became Lake Ellyn.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
In 1895 Charles Lewis Moulton and his wife, Maria, purchased "Eastbourne", above, a Victorian estate, which they kept opened for visitors and friends. Moulton retired after a 56-year tenure at Sprague and Warner Company and died in 1957 at the age of 97.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
C.L. Moulton and his wife Maria and their family pose for a photo in 1893 in Glen Ellyn.
Photo courtesy of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society