Time Was

Stephen Hanford, Wesley pioneer

Published by admin on Mon, 09/01/2025 - 7:16am

In 2003 I had the pleasure of working with Bill Goodwin of Wesley Township on a history project for the County. His family has been in Wesley from the first, and listening to him tell the stories was a real treat. This column is dedicated to him.
Stephen F. Hanford was born in Oswego, N. Y., September 10th, 1827, and when a small boy moved with his parents to Columbus, OH, where he attended Granville College. In 1837 the family moved to Chicago purchasing land on the site now occupied by Lincoln Park. Again in 1842 the family moved to Rockville Township.

All you need is love, 19th century style

Published by admin on Mon, 08/25/2025 - 9:41am

Today I just didn’t feel writing about another negative topic in Braidwood history – no murders, alcoholic rages, train accidents, mine collapse, etc. I decided to look for a positive topic, and what could be more positive than love and marriage. Or at least that’s what I thought.

School days of long ago

Published by admin on Mon, 08/25/2025 - 9:35am

Well, school is starting, earlier than ever. I am hearing complaints from parents that the early start has taken away their Labor Day vacations. Today we look at the early history of Wilmington schools.
In George Woodruff’s book, The History of Will County, he writes about education in early Wilmington. “The subject of education received attention in this vicinity at a very early

It’s all happening at the Grove, school that is

Published by admin on Mon, 08/18/2025 - 4:28pm

School houses in the 19th century were more than just places of learning; they were community centers. In Braidwood it was the Grove School that became the town meeting place. Let’s take a stroll to the Grove and see what’s happening.
Around 1870 three schools were constructed, the Eureka School, the East School and the Grove school. The Grove was located on School Street, south of Main. It was a two-story wooden building with a high belfry and two large classrooms on each floor. It was abandoned about 1905, and torn down in 1915.

More than just a hardware store

Published by admin on Mon, 08/18/2025 - 4:21pm

Steinhart & Whitmore. What more do I need to say? At the beginning of last century it was a name that meant business in Wilmington, big business. If they did not have what you needed, you really didn't need it at all.
Each week's paper had a half page ad. It was apparent they catered to every taste. They sold farm equipment and kitchen stoves, heating and plumbing fixtures and harness for buggies, they sold two types of horse drawn buggies and in 1904 they started selling automobiles.

Braidwood's favorite pastime, quoits?

Published by admin on Sun, 08/10/2025 - 2:43pm

That Braidwood and the surrounding coal towns were hubs for immigrants from all over the world still fascinates me. They came in waves, usually one nationality at a time. The prejudices they grew up with came with them. But also came the good things. Let's look at just one.

Staying in fashion

Published by admin on Sun, 08/10/2025 - 2:40pm

My mother always said, “You are what you wear.” And I believe that my mother's saying can also be applied to history. Look at what people were wearing and you can get a good idea of what life was like during that era. So, what can we learn about the first 1830's settlers of Wilmington from what they wore? Let's see.

350 years after Columbus, the Italians discovered Braidwood

Published by admin on Mon, 08/04/2025 - 11:45am

We no longer celebrate Columbus Day. It is now Immigrants Day. I have no objection to celebrating that fact that we are all immigrants if we go back far enough, but I also believe that each nationality should be able to celebrate their achievements and milestones. There is no doubt that the sons and daughters of Italy have made a great contribution, but it wasn't easy. Today we look at the Italian immigrants that called Braidwood their home.

Wilmington and the Civil War, part last

Published by admin on Mon, 08/04/2025 - 11:34am

Wilmington's final involvement in the Civil War occurred on July 4th, 1865. The town welcomed home the veterans with the largest gathering ever held in Wilmington to this date. In early June of 1865 the editor of the Independent called for the special celebration with these words, “Our great natal day is close at hand, and it will not only be a greater pleasure to the American people than ever before, to celebrate it in a becoming manner, but a binding duty.

Technology made Custer Park what it is today

Published by admin on Mon, 07/28/2025 - 11:46am

Custer Park, once part of Reed Township, is today a sleepy serene spot on the river. So how did technology have anything to do with it? The answer is that every industry that came to Custer was put out of business by technology.
Horse Creek Dock, now known as Custer Park, was for a short time in its history a seaport. Well, almost anyway. You could board the little steamer named the “Mohawk Belle” at the landing and take it all the way to Chicago via the Kankakee Feeder Canal and then the I & M Canal.