Chicago Great Western Museum

10/22/2026

Rick Burn of Holland, Michigan photos every Thursday until we have no more of his wonderful images to share.

10/21/2026

Images of the Blackhawk Cafe (current location of The Hub) and the Royal Blue Store (on the corner across the street from the Apple River Fort). Photos are compliments of Jim Dawe, Elizabeth Historical Society lifetime member. Thank you Jim! Jim also provided some history about the photos and the businesses.

From Jim Dawe:
"Reggie Dawe and Stanley Goldthorpe started a grocery store in the Westphal building in Sept. 1930. Reggie remained in the business for 17 years and sold out to Stanley in 1947. Reggie then bought Longs Hotel, July 29, 1947. Over the years, the hotel was turned into apartments."

"Stanley Goldthorpe bought the building on the corner next to the bridge. It was called the Royal Blue Store. On Sunday,
December 13, 1942 all the grocery products from the store up the street were moved in. The building was added onto and extended to the alley. One of the services was to deliver groceries. Stanley bought a panel truck for this purpose. There was also a system to charge purchases and pay at a later date."

"On June 11, 1942, the first blackout tried in Elizabeth. This was probably because of the war."

For those of you who don't remember, the bridge used to be where parking lots line both sides of Highway 20 in Elizabeth. Apple River Fort Interpretive Center Parking Lot one side and the Circle Parking Lot on the other. Pictures of the bridge's history will be posted on Friday.

10/20/2026

Wednesday, November 4, 1981
ELIZABETH WEEKLY NEWS! ENJOY!

10/19/2026

More scenes of Elizabeth, Illinois painted on dishware. Also a piece with Boscastle Harbour, Cornwall, United Kingdom on it. Not sure the connection of the harbour piece to the Elizabeth images but all pieces are artifacts in our museum. Enjoy!

10/18/2026

Happy Sunday! Sunday dinners used to be BIG and SPECIAL with the entire family and extended family sharing a meal. BIG and SPECIAL meant the dishware was special too. It is doubtful these pieces ever saw the dinner table, but they are SPECIAL. These are pieces with images of Elizabeth, Illinois hand painted on them. The paintings were made from images taken by photographs taken by Elizabeth photographer, Frank J. Kolb. The photographs were then sent to Germany where the hand painting on the dishware was done. Frank was born: January 7, 1860 in Hanover Township, Jo Daviess County and died Sept. 11, 1931 in Elizabeth and is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. He was a photographer in Elizabeth for many years.

In 1885, when Frank J. Kolb married Eliza C. Doran, the wedding announcement stated "the groom is a progressive, enterprising young man and a successful photograph artist of Elizabeth who enjoys the respect and confidence of the community, whilst the bride is one of Galena's most estimable young ladies."

According to Galena Daily Gazette: Nov. 2, 1887, he is mentioned as an artist and in March 4, 1889, he is named as a photographer.

Frank (Frankline) J. Kolb:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77284115/frank-j-kolb

10/17/2026

Support The Elizabeth Historical Society
Join as a Member Now!

Circle Membership Level:
**Individual: $15.00
**Family (a couple plus all minor children): $25.00
**Business: $50.00 **Non profit business: $35.00
**Lifetime Member: $200.00
Mail your check, payable to: Elizabeth Historical Society
P.O. Box 115
Elizabeth, IL 61028
Contact Information:
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________________________

I am a (circle one): New Member or Renewing Member

I am interesting in volunteering:
-Artifact collection:_____________________________________________
-As a museum host: _____________________________________________
-At an Event: _________________________________________________
-Prep or Admin Work: ____________________________________________
–Building or construction:__________________________________________
–Model train layout maintenance:____________________________________
–Tell us your story: (topics of interest for others)_________________________
–What programs/events would you like us to offer?

Additional Donation Enclosed: ___________________________________________
Thank you for your continued and dedicated support as the end of year 31 nears

The Elizabeth Historical Society Board is always searching for interested individuals who want to participate and/or help! Our local museum runs on volunteerism! Without volunteers, our museum and our projects would cease to exist. We financially operate with no federal or state taxes.

Any amount of volunteer time is greatly appreciated! The volunteers who currently help do a wonderful job! The work is not difficult and we encourage people to volunteer their skills! PLUS! We have a great deal of fun!

Send a message to learn more

10/16/2026

Happy Friday! Dr. Coleman Buford
From the Past to Present Centennial Book:

"Dr. Coleman Buford was born in Lexington, Missouri in 1872. He was married to Ada Abildgaard. They were the parents of eight children.

Dr. Buford came to Elizabeth during World War 1. He acted as a consultant to Dr. Nadig and also performed minor surgery.

In 1921, he built the home now owned by Mel Schulz. The family lived here in Elizabeth during the summer months, living in Chicago the rest of the year. They lived here permanently from 1933 until the doctor's retirement in 1953, when he moved to Florida. Dr. Buford practiced until he was past eighty years of age.

Dr. Buford was one of the founders of the College of Surgeons. He was also instrumental in getting the County Health Dept. started in Jo Daviess County."

?Written in 1968, where did Mel Schulz live? Does anyone know?

10/15/2026

Rick Burn photos continue to be the highlight of Thursday's train posts.

10/14/2026

Galena: Once Bigger than Chicago. wonderful video created by River Ridge CUSD #210 Wildcats in 2011-2012.

Fun Facts about Galena:
--Did you know that Galena once had a population of 14,000 at the same time that Chicago's population was 4,000?

--1818--first lead shipped out of Galena.

--Galena, as a tourist destination, receives 1 million visitors annually second only in the state to Chicago.

Student creators: Brett Brown, Ben Freed, Gavin Kloss, Jacob, Krug, Cody Landwer.

Interviews provided by: Diann Marsh, local author and historian and Phillip Jackman, local historian.

Assisted by Michael Dittmar and Judy Tippett.

10/14/2026

Galena: Once Bigger than Chicago. Wonderful video created by River Ridge CUSD #210 Wildcats students in 2011-2012.

Fun facts about Galena:
--Did you know that Galena once had a population of 14,000 at the same time that Chicago's population was 4,000.
--1819--first lead shipped out of Galena.
--Galena, as a tourist destination, receives 1 million visitors annually. Second only in the state to Chicago.

Students: Brett Brown, Ben Freed, Gavin Kloss, Jacob Krug, Cody Landwer.

Interviews provided by: Diann Marsh--local author and historian
Phillip Jackman--local historian

Assisted by: Michael Dittmar and Judy Tippett