Windmill gets windfall
Early-1900s photographs showing the interiors of downtown Elgin businesses, and a hand-sized tobacco sack emblazoned with, "Elgin Eagle Brewing Co." are among the unique items on display at the Elgin Windmill Factory Antiques.
Sold to the antique shop by a single Elgin memorabilia collector, whom Windmill Factory Antiques owner Will Alexander wouldn't identify, the items offer a rare insight into the Elgin lifestyle around the turn of the century. The collector gave the antique shop, at 80 N. State St., nearly 1,000 pieces of Elgin history.
"This is one of the biggest collections we have received," said Alexander. "Beyond a shadow of a doubt, these are some of the rarest things we have seen."
Although many of the items have already sold, Alexander still has a treasure trove of pictures developed from original glass-plate negatives -- and as far as he knows, they've never been seen before. Each of the scenes was shot between 1885 and 1900 by a local man whose last name is Anderson and who is believed to have died in 1907.
One picture, which has already sold, featured a rooster pulling a girl in a two-wheel cart, said Alexander. Others on display at the shop depict men standing in front of the Fox River Club along the Fox River, and a group eating lobster at Elgin's Trout Park.
Some offer rare glimpses into the city's once-bustling downtown. There are scenes of business people and patrons inside a dentist office, a dry goods store and a barbershop. Another shows a lavishly decorated Victorian home somewhere in Elgin, and one showcases the lavish woodwork of a downtown Elgin bar.
"You don't often get to see the inside of these places, which are many times photographed from the outside," said Alexander.
The antique shop still has eight 100-year-old serving trays depicting the logos of once-popular brewing companies in Elgin. A serving tray featuring a colorful fish and called "The Fish Story" shows the Elgin Eagle Brewing Co. logo, while another shows a large deer head and the logo of the Elgin National Brewery.
There also are colorful old glass bottles with the names of former downtown Elgin hotels, including the Western House and Kelly House. Although the Kelly House, located on South Grove Avenue on land now occupied by the Fountain Square condominiums, has since burned to the ground, the Western House building still stands at the southeast corner of Highland Avenue and State Street.
Small items depict Americans' changing styles and tastes. A sterling silver match case in the store is emblazoned with the name of Henry Mackh, who lived at 152 Chicago St. Etching on a solid brass plate, believed to be the license plate from an Elgin fire truck, reads "Elgin," "1907" and "#33."
Alexander also has on hand more than a dozen well-preserved business receipts neatly written in pen by downtown Elgin businesses owners. Each of the documents is tucked away in a neat binder.
"It's interesting looking at these things and realizing how much our lives have changed," said Alexander.
Community of Readers: Remember to participate in First Community Bank's Community of Readers through Feb. 2. The bank is accepting new and gently read preschool and grade school books at its two Elgin offices at 165 S. Randall Road and at the corner of Big Timber Road and McLean Boulevard.
Individuals and organizations may donate children's books in good condition from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week, and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Volunteers from area high schools and organizations will sort, pack, and deliver the donated books to organizations that serve families of Elgin Area School District U-46.
Since its inception, Community of Readers has matched more than 30,000 children's books with District U-46 families who may not have home reading materials. For information, call Karen DeBack at (847) 622-8800, ext. 307.