Hans Bavarian Lodge in Wheeling.
Daily Herald file photo, 1979
Today's #TBT Gallery features Wheeling. Illinois, with historic pictures of its famed Restaurant Row, Chevy Chase Country Club and various views showing the growth of the suburb during the 1960s and 1970s.
The Wheeling Centennial Gala was celebrated on Feb. 5, 1994. The yearlong celebration kicked off with an event at Chevy Chase Country Club. Wheeling celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2014.
Wheeling's famous Restaurant Row became popular already in the 1830s, when taverns, inns and eateries were established along Milwaukee Ave for hungry Chicago travelers on their way to Wisconsin. The centerpiece of Restaurant Row was Le Francais, a French restaurant that gourmets ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation. Originally known as “Sauerkraut Boulevard,” the 2-mile long strip of Milwaukee Avenue is still home to many of Chicago area's most revered restaurants.
Because of the area's fertile soil, Wheeling became a favorite with farmers and quickly established itself as a center for landscaping nurseries.
In the 1960s, manufacturing plants clustered around the SOO Line railroad to accommodate their shipping needs. Commercial development followed with the development of residential neighborhoods and population growth.
Originally named Gauthier's Flying Field in 1925, Pal-Waukee Airport was renamed in 1928 and quickly became a Wheeling landmark at the intersection of Palatine Road and Milwaukee Avenue. On Oct. 17, 2006, Palwaukee Municipal Airport was renamed Chicago Executive Airport. By July 31, 2014, the airport had 77,321 aircraft operations, for an average of 212 per day.
Construction workers weld the final pieces into place of the water tower on Wolf Road.
Daily Herald file photo, 1984
Wolf Road in Wheeling as seen In 1965.
Photo Courtesy of the Wheeling Historical Society
A view of the corner of Dundee Road and Milwaukee Ave. in the summer of 1968 in Wheeling.
Daily Herald file photo, 1968
An old barn that was to be renovated and turned into a museum is moved down Dundee Road to Chamber Park in Wheeling.
Daily Herald file photo, 1988
Milwaukee Avenue during the summer of 1964.
Daily Herald file photo, 1964
The Chapel of St. Francis, purchased by the Wheeling Park District in 1977, was maintained and restored by the Wheeling Historical Society.
Daily Herald file photo, 1977
An undated photo of a Wheeling Public School. The image is from a post card.
Photo Courtesy of the Wheeling Historical Society
Piper's Blacksmith Shop, located at 260 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling, as seen in this 1908 photo.
Photo Courtesy of the Wheeling Historical Society
The Union Hotel, a Wheeling village landmark for more than 100 years, was the Cafe Angelo in 1976. It was an entertainment spot since the Civil War, surviving fires, automobiles and prohibition.
Daily Herald file photo, 1976
The old Wheeling Village Hall slowly rolls down Dundee Road to it's new home at Chamber of Commerce Park during the summer of 1976.
Daily Herald file photo, 1976
Hartmann House, a Wheeling landmark in the 1960s.
Daily Herald file photo, 1960
Wenzlaff's restaurant as seen in 1964.
Daily Herald file photo, 1964
Bob McGowan, a letter carrier, sorts mail at the new Wheeling Post Office on Dundee Road. The building was constructed at a cost of $491,800.
Daily Herald file photo, 1970
Milwaukee Ave as seen in 1976.
Daily Herald file photo, 1976
Farmers plow fields in 1968 near housing developments in Wheeling.
Daily Herald file photo, 1968
The Union Hotel is open after extensive remodeling in 1970. The Union Hotel was located at 124 S. Milwaukee Ave.
Daily Herald file photo, 1970
The Pie House, located at 335 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling.
Daily Herald file photo, 1974
The Burger Chef and the Rix restaurants on Dundee Road just west of Wolf Road in Wheeling.
Daily Herald file photo, 1971
The 11 members of the Wheeling Police Department taking a look at the village seal on a squad car door.
Daily Herald file photo, 1961
This is an aerial view of the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Dundee Road in Wheeling as seen in 1977.
Daily Herald file photo, 1977
Ready to challenge their New England counterparts, Wheeling firefighters hoped to augment their T-shirt collections with shirts wagered by Patriots fans in the Norwood, MA fire department.
Daily Herald file photo, 1986
Wheeling's Le Francais restaurant was ranked as high as number 2 in the nation by gourmets.
Daily Herald file photo