Time Was

City used to provide for its

Published by admin on Mon, 01/05/2026 - 11:51am

One of the things I always tell people when they ask what kind of a town Wilmington is, is that we are a city with a big heart.
Think of the wonderful work being done by the Caring Closet, the Lions Club or Kuzma Care Cottage and how often we see food drives and other fund-raisers in this city. These fund-raisers are not only held by non-profit organizations, but also by businessmen, such as tavern owners, who do what they can in their own way to make life a little easier for those in need.

Technology comes to Braidwood

Published by admin on Mon, 01/05/2026 - 11:23am

Editor’s note: This column first appeared in the Braidwood Journal on Jan 7, 2008.
Technology has the power to transform lives, just look at the change made in all our lives since the computer revolution.
In Braidwood, technology at first was limited to the coal and railroad industry. It was not until the 1880s that technology came into the lives of the average guy, bringing Braidwood out of the dark and into a new world.

Recipes for the New Year

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 12:00pm

When I was little, I read about the various holiday dishes that appear in traditional Christmas stories. Many of them were strange to me. Since then, I have taken the time to find out just what those wonderful holiday dishes were about. Here are traditional recipes for some historical favorites as well as some traditions from my own family.

New Year's traditions, what brings you luck?

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 12:00pm

Have you made your resolutions yet? Are you buying special foods for the first day of the new year? Have you got your date lined up? We are all pretty much aware of Christmas traditions, but I think not so aware that the things we all do at New Year's also have a long history.
The New Year's celebration is the oldest continuing celebration we have. It started 4,000 years ago in Babylonia, now Iraq. It was celebrated in early spring, when nature started her renewal cycle. This tradition spread through the ancient world to Rome.

The horseless carriage makes its appearance

Published by admin on Mon, 12/22/2025 - 10:49am

If there is one thing that is almost essential for every family, and perhaps every person over 16 it is the automobile. The nostalgia for cars of our youth is beyond belief. Between the numerous car shows in the area and the racetracks, we can easily see that the car is not just a mode of transportation. When did this love affair with the auto begin? Well, the first mention of the automobile that I have found in the local papers was in 1904.

The horseless carriage makes its appearance

Published by admin on Mon, 12/22/2025 - 10:49am

If there is one thing that is almost essential for every family, and perhaps every person over 16 it is the automobile. The nostalgia for cars of our youth is beyond belief. Between the numerous car shows in the area and the racetracks, we can easily see that the car is not just a mode of transportation. When did this love affair with the auto begin? Well, the first mention of the automobile that I have found in the local papers was in 1904.

The tradition of being sociable, historic sociables

Published by admin on Mon, 12/15/2025 - 9:33am

There are many ways to raise funds for a good cause. In the 19th century the most popular way was to hold a sociable, and the Braidwood area was no exception. Put on your party dress and best suit, let's be sociable.
The definition of a sociable is a little vague. It could be an event held at someone's home, where music, parlor games and food were featured. Those attending would donate to some cause, usually whatever they cared to give.

Love and tragedy, the Noel's of Will County

Published by admin on Mon, 12/15/2025 - 9:27am

Today we look at the Noel family of Jackson Township. Their story is the story of early Will County. It also tells of the effects of love, both on family and history. Back now to the founding of Will County.
Our story starts in Scioto County, Ohio with the Webb family. Thomas Webb was one of those men who were never happy where they were, but always wanted to move further west. In August of 1833 he moved his family, including his young daughter Louisa, to the west side of the Des Plaines River in Lockport Township.

Christmas traditions in the coal field

Published by admin on Sun, 12/07/2025 - 4:55pm

Every day cars with green trees strapped to them, pass through the main arteries of Braidwood and surrounding towns. The Christmas tree tradition is alive and well in our neck of the prairie. Today we look at other earlier traditions of the holiday season.
When James Braidwood, and other early settlers arrived, most from the British Isles, Christmas must have been very bleak. Sort of a Bob Cratchett sort of existence. And like the Cratchett's, the celebration was mainly confined to the home.

Christmas in Wilmington, 1906

Published by admin on Sun, 12/07/2025 - 4:54pm

One hundred and twenty years is a long time. When I think of the changes that have taken place since 1906, the list is a long one. However, as the old saying goes, “History repeats itself. Set the way-back machine to 1906 and off we go.
The economy was slow, in fact it was dead, at least in Wilmington. Local merchants were especially hard hit. It was progress that was partly at fault. Mail order catalogues had taken a bite out of their business. Frequent trains from Wilmington to Joliet and Chicago, made the Boston Store and Marshall Field's within a few hours ride.