Spotlight on Shermer, Shermerville ... and Shermerfest

From Shermerville to ... Shermerfest?

There really is no direct connection between the two because Shermerfest, the Northbrook Historical Society's main fundraising event set for Sunday, Sept. 18, did not begin until 1979.

Shermerville's final bow came on Jan. 8, 1923, following the desire of residents to alter the image of their village by changing its name to Northbrook. With the 100th anniversary of that name change fast approaching, Shermerfest - as envisioned from its start - gives Northbrookians a chance to focus a little more on their village's history.

What about the name Shermer? It refers to Frederick Schermer (Shermer), one of the early landowners of property that eventually became the downtown area including the railroad depot which in the mid-1870s was located on the other side of the tracks from where the station is today. The train stop came to be listed as "Shermer," then "Shermer Station," and by 1885 as Shermerville.

Shermer died on Sept. 24, 1901, just weeks before the Incorporation of the village named after him. His impressive gravesite monument in St. Peter Cemetery is easily visible from Shermer Road. Shermerville was incorporated on Nov. 18, 1901, but the name of the little village (1900 population: 311) lasted only 22 years until residents called for a fresh start as Northbrook.

During the century since the change, Shermer remains a familiar name in only a few references. Of course there is Shermer Road (during earlier days called State Road and Telegraph Road), which winds its way from Dundee Road south through Glenview and into Niles. Lake Shermerville along Sanders Road is accessible to Wood Oaks Green Park visitors. The Shermer Square condominiums were built in the late 1970s. A number of buildings still exist that were constructed both prior to incorporation and during the Shermerville years.

One of the most recognized uses of Shermer is the depiction of the fictional town of Shermer, IL, in at least 10 movies written and directed by Glenbrook North graduate John Hughes - including "Sixteen Candles" (1984), "The Breakfast Club" (1985), and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986).

Back to the 44th annual Shermerfest, set for noon to 4 p.m. on Sept. 18 in Village Green Park.

A CARavan and Car Show, Cow Pie Moo-lette, and music in the gazebo by the Northbrook School of Music and Beer will highlight the festival. Other attractions will be Chalk-Up Northbrook, sponsored by the Arts Commission; refreshments including popcorn, soft drinks, and ice cream from a vintage Good Humor truck; mums for sale; and guided tours of the History Museum. The tours feature rooms furnished as a Shermerville home.

The CARavan will begin about 10:30 a.m. at the North Suburban YMCA and travel through various neighborhoods (see map at www.northbrookhistory.org) to Village Green Park, where Classic Northbrook - the 22nd annual Historical Society car show - will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Classic vehicles are welcome in one or both events for a minimum donation of $10 per vehicle. Awards will be given to visitors' favorite vehicles in the park.

Cow Pie Moo-lette raffle tickets ($20 each) are available online. Wagner Farm will provide the key participant in this unusual event.

All are welcome at Shermerfest, which just might help visitors begin thinking about an upcoming milestone anniversary that ranks as one of the most important dates in Northbrook history.