Databases & Websites by Subject

Booklists - Coming of Age—Downers Grove, 1830s to the 21st Century

This is a selected list of Downers Grove history resources at the library. It may help you find general Downers Grove history, locate your ancestors from Downers Grove or trace the history of your house. The local history collection is located in the reference collection after the Reference 999 books. Reference books in this collection have 'Ref' in the call number. Circulating copies of the same title are also kept in the local history collection and have an '*' (asterisk) before the call number. If you don't find what you need, please ask at the Reference Desk for assistance.

General History

*Ref 977.324 DOW Local History
Downers Grove Sesquicentennial, 1832 – 1982 - 1982
This special section of the Downers Grove Reporter traces the history of Downers Grove, covering famous people, businesses and events.

*Ref 977.324 DUP Local History
DuPage County: A Descriptive and Historical Guide, 1831 – 1939 - 1948
This source was written by the workers of the Federal Writers Project and includes a chapter on Downers Grove.

*Ref 977.324 HER Local History
What You Didn't Know about Downers Grove and Didn't Know Who to Ask by Bartle R. Herrick - 1982
According to the author, this booklet is not intended to be a history of Downers Grove. The real purpose of this entertaining book is to provide "anecdotes and happenings that would probably never be included in a history of our village."

*Ref 977.324 PEC Local History
The History of Downers Grove, Illinois, from 1832 – 1873 by Edwin Pechous - 1956
Written as a thesis for a Master of Arts degree, this source covers pioneer life, as well as economic, religious and social history from 1832 to 1893.

*Ref 977.324 SPI Local History
The Spirit of the Grove: Downers Grove Centennial, July 4, 1932 - 1932
This booklet accompanied the Centennial Pageant and provides a general history of the village from 1832 to 1932.

*977.324 DOW Local History - Also in *Ref 977.324 DOW Local History
Downers Grove, 1832 – 1976 - 1976
Originally published as a calendar in 1976, this is a good source for historical pictures.

*977.324 DUN Local History - Also in *Ref 977.324 DUN Local History
Downers Grove, 1832 – 1982 by Montrew Dunham - 1982
Published by the Downers Grove Historical Society to commemorate the village's 150th anniversary, this is the most comprehensive source for village history. It provides history on local schools, churches, fire and police departments, businesses and founders of the town.

*977.324 DUN Local History - Also in *Ref 977.324 DUN Local History
Downers Grove Revisited by Montrew Dunham - 2003
This title supplements the 1982 title listed above, with information on village history as well as people and places. However, it does not have an index.

*977.324 HIS Local History - Also in *Ref 977.324 HIS Local History
History of Downers Grove: Centennial - 1932
Written in 1932 by the Historical Committee for the Downers Grove Centennial, this source includes biographies of the town founders and histories of churches, schools, organizations, and local government.

*977.324 STE Local History - Also in *Ref 977.324 STE Local History
Firefighting in Downers Grove Over the Years by Virginia A. Stehney - 1987
Published by the Downers Grove Historical Society, this book covers the history of firefighting in Downers Grove.

*977.324 THO Local History - Also in *Ref 977.324 THO Local History
DuPage Roots by Richard A. Thompson - 1985
This DuPage County history has a chapter on Downers Grove. It also provides a general overview of the DuPage area up to the 1980s. It includes information on natural history and also discusses the pioneer and Civil War eras.

DVD 977.324 IMA - Also in *DVD 977.324 IMA Local History
Images of the Past: Downers Grove 1832 – 1945: The Life and Times of Dr. James Henry Breasted - 2005
This DVD, produced by the Downers Grove Historical Society, documents through photographs the history of Downers Grove from 1832 to 1945. It also contains a biography of James Breasted.

Noteworthy People from Downers Grove

The first place to look for information on people important to Downers Grove is the Downers Grove History Index (* Ref 977.324 DOW Local History). This binder, created by a Downers Grove Public Library librarian, contains an index to people and places found in eleven local history books. The library also has individual biographies on people such as Henry Blodgett, James Breasted, and Elbert Rogers.

*Ref 929 DOW Local History
The Downers of America, with Genealogical Record by David Robinson Downer - 1900
A genealogical history of the Downer family from 1658 in England to the late 1800s in America. Downers Grove's Pierce Downer was a member of the family.

*Ref 977.324 BLA Local History
History of DuPage County, Illinois by Rufus Blanchard - 1882
This DuPage County history book has a biographical section which gives information on prominent people in Downers Grove.

*Ref 977.324 POR Local History
Portrait and Biographical Record of DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois - 1894
This source provides "Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County" as well as many photographs.

Places

A good place to look for information on places important to Downers Grove is the Downers Grove History Index (*Ref 977.324 DOW Local History). This binder, created by a Downers Grove Public Library librarian, contains an index to people and places found in eleven local history books.

*Ref 372.9773 POD Local History
A History of the Avery Coonley School by A. John Podszus - 1973
Written in celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Avery Coonley School, this source chronicles the school from its start as the 'Cottage School' to its present location today.

*Ref 917.7324 SEA Local History
Sears Catalog Home Self-Guide Walking/Driving Tour - 2005
This brochure provides a self-guided walking or driving tour to some of the Sears catalog homes in Downers Grove.

*Ref 977.324 SAI Local History
St. Joseph's Parish Golden Jubilee 1906 – 1956 - 1956
A history of St. Joseph's Parish from 1906 to 1956.

*977.324 GRO Local History - Also in *Ref 977.324 GRO Local History
Growing up in Gostyn - 1997
A chronicle of the St. Mary of Gostyn Parish from the late 1800s to the 1990s.

Atlas and Plat Maps

The Downers Grove Public Library has a number of historical atlas and plat maps for DuPage County. Historical atlases and plat maps can be used to determine property owners for parcels of land. The library has plat maps from 1862, 1874, 1904, 1959, 1964, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1989 and 1994. They are located in the Local History collection. With the exception of the 1862, 1874 and 1904 plat maps, the detail in these maps is fairly small; large sections of land are identified but smaller parcels may not be. There usually is an index in the back of each book for the names of land owners, subdivisions and streets. The library does not own current plat maps. For current plat maps, contact the township office of the township in which the property is located.

The DuPage County Genealogical Society created a book called Landowners of DuPage County, Illinois: An Index to Plat Maps and Related Sources, 1835 – 1904 (*Ref 929.3 LAN Local History). This book is an index to the 1862, 1874 and 1904 plat maps listed below. The index shows on which map and in which section a person owned land. Also included in the index is the ‘Patrons' Directory of DuPage County,' which gives biographical information about prominent citizens.

*Ref 912 MID Local History
20th Century Atlas of DuPage County Illinois: Containing Maps of Villages, Cities and Townships of the County of the State, United States and World by Middle-West Publishing - 1904

*Ref 977.324 BEN Local History
Map of DuPage County, Illinois by L.G. Bennett - 1980
This is a reprint of an 1862 map.

*977.324 THO Local History - Also in *Ref 977.324 THO Local History
Combination Atlas Map of Dupage County, Illinois by Thompson Bro's & Burr - 1975
This is a reprint of an 1874 map.

Local History and Information File

The Local History and Information File, located in a filing cabinet behind the Reference area, contains information on Downers Grove, including places, events and famous Downers Grove natives from the past and the present, such as Lottie Holman O'Neil and Sherrill Milnes. Check the files under DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS and its subheadings, such as DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS – HISTORY for these items. Also check the files under the individual place name, such as the TIVOLI THEATRE or DOWNERS GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Newspapers

Local Newspapers on Microfilm

The Downers Grove Library has local newspapers on microfilm. These can be found in the microfilm cabinets in the Magazine Back Issues area. Ask at the Computer Room and Magazine Desk for assistance.

• Downers Grove Journal – August 31, 1930 – January 16, 1941
• Downers Grove Press – various issues 1891 – 1893
• Downers Grove Reporter – 1895 to the present
• Downers Grove Sun – February 2002 to the present

None of the local newspapers are indexed.

Chicago Tribune Historical Archive and Chicago Tribune databases
The Tribune Historical Archives provides obituaries and death notices from 1860 to 1984. Also included are major stories covering events and issues clipped and indexed by the Chicago Tribune staff at time of publication. Coverage of these articles is from the 1920s through 1984. For more up-to-date information, the library also subscribes to the Chicago Tribune database, which covers 1985 to the present.

The library also has the Chicago Tribune on microfilm from 1976 to the present. The Chicago Tribune Index is located at Ref 070.016 CHI in the reference collection in the Reference Department.

Village Government

Located in the microfilm cabinets in the Magazine Back Issues area are microfilmed copies of the following:

• Board of Local Improvements 1904 – 1930
• Downers Grove Council Resolutions 1941 – 1981
• Downers Grove Village Council Minutes 1873 – 1980
• Ordinances 1873 – 1981

Current village government documents are in the local documents section, located after the local history section in the Reference area.

Finding Your Ancestors from Downers Grove

Where you look for information on your ancestors from Downers Grove is dependent on when they lived here. If the person lived (or still lives) in Downers Grove within the past 60–70 years, information may be found in the high school yearbooks. The library has a complete run of yearbooks from Downers Grove North and an incomplete run from Downers Grove South. Alumni directories are also available. Alumni directories can be used to determine the year a person graduated from either North or South High School. They also provide some biographical information, such as marital status, children and occupation. Ask for the yearbooks and alumni directories at the Reference Desk.

The library also has many historical telephone directories which can be used to deter-mine where a person lived at a particular time. The library has phone books from 1909, 1910, 1916, 1924 – 1929, 1931 – 1956, 1958, and 1975 – the present. These telephone directories are located in the local history section at *Ref 977.324 DOW Local History.

Cemetery Records

Depending on when the person died and where they were buried, information may be found in cemetery records. The following sources provide cemetery records for some cemeteries located in the Downers Grove area.

*Ref 929 DAU Local History
Cemetery Records of DuPage County, Illinois by Daughters of the American Revolution, Illinois Society - 1962
A listing of people buried in various older cemeteries located in Downers Grove. Listings include birth and death date of the deceased.

*Ref 929.3773 CEM Local History
Cemetery Inscriptions of Lisle Township, DuPage Co., Illinois - 1989
This two-volume set includes the Oak Hill, Oak Crest and St. Bernard's Cemeteries, as well as cemeteries in Lisle.

*Ref 929.3773 DOW Local History
Downers Grove & Lisle Townships (DuPage County, IL) Combined List and Index - 1996
Compiled by the DuPage County Genealogical Society, this source provides cemetery records for cemeteries in both Downers Grove and Lisle Townships, including Pierce Downer Cemetery, Main Street Cemetery and St. Patrick's Cemetery.

*Ref 977.324 BET Local History - Also in *Ref 977.324 BET Local History
Voices That Are Gone: A Guide to Historic Main Street Cemetery by Phyllis Betenia - 2005
Published by the Downers Grove Historical Society, this guide provides biographical information on 67 people buried in Main Street Cemetery, along with photographs of each tombstone.

*Ref 977.324 NAR Local History
Main Street Cemetery by Lisa Narjes - 19?
A collection of articles and photographs, this source also provides a list of inscriptions on the tombstones located at this cemetery.

Census

Online

Census information (and actual images from census microfilm) may be found using the library's genealogy databases, Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest, which are available on any library resources computer. HeritageQuest is available from home with a Downers Grove Public Library card.

In Print or on Microfilm

Illinois Census

• 1810 (print) *Ref 929.3773 ILL Local History
• 1818 (print) *Ref 929.3773 ILL Local History
• 1820 (print) *Ref 929.3773 ILL Local History

DuPage Census

• 1840 (print) *Ref 929.3773 ROB Local History
• 1850 (print) *Ref 929.3773 ROB Local History
• 1860 (print) *Ref 929.3773 ROB Local History
• 1870 (print) *Ref 929.3773 ROB Local History
• 1880 (microfilm)
• 1900 (microfilm)
• 1910 (microfilm)
• 1920 (microfilm)
• 1930 (microfilm)

Each print version of the census has an index in the back that tells where a person is listed in the book. The microfilm versions of the census are slightly more difficult to use. While census information is provided in the library's genealogy databases (Ancestry Library Edition or HeritageQuest) there may be times when it is necessary to look at the actual microfilm roll. There are two ways to find the exact place on the microfilm where your ancestor is listed. The easiest way is to find the census information for the person you are looking for on either of the genealogy databases and note the microfilm roll number. The second way is more labor intensive and involves using the Soundex index, which is on microfilm and is available through interlibrary loan. Soundex is the indexing system used beginning with the 1880 census. The library has books which will tell you the Soundex code for your ancestors. With the Soundex code for a particular ancestor, you can request the Soundex roll through interlibrary loan. Once you find your ancestor on the roll, you will have the needed reference numbers to easily find the entry on the microfilm. Without the Soundex information or the roll number from the genealogy databases, the only way to search the census on microfilm is to scroll through each listing page by page.

Microfilm census records are kept in the microfilm cabinets in the Magazine Back Issues area. The 1890 Census for Illinois is not available anywhere, as it was destroyed in a fire.

Finding the History of Your House

The Downers Grove Historical Society has produced an excellent guide for finding the history of your home. It details the steps necessary to accurately date your house, which usually involves going to the DuPage County government office. Copies of this packet are available at the Reference Desk or from the Downers Grove Historical Society.

Also available at the Reference Desk is a brochure entitled "Tracing the History of Your House." This brochure, compiled by a Downers Grove Public Library reference librarian, provides a list of other sources.

The library has microfilm copies of the Downers Grove Sanborn maps for the years 1892, 1898, 1909, 1921, 1927, 1933 and 1947. These maps were used for setting fire insurance rates. A look at the maps may reveal construction type and materials. They identify major buildings, show the shape of lots, the location of all buildings on the lot, and the names of subdivisions. These maps are on microfilm and are located in the microfilm cabinets in the Magazine Back Issues area.

Other Organizations

For further information on local history, contact:

Downers Grove Historical Society
P.O. Box 663
Downers Grove, IL 60515
630-450-3336

Downers Grove Park District Museum
831 Maple Ave.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
630–963–1309

The Downers Grove Park District Museum is the local historical museum. Their library contains birth and death certificates, cemetery surveys, census records, telephone directories, school yearbooks, published genealogies, various newspaper clippings and numerous primary sources.

Prepared by Lisa Bobis, September 2005