About the Historical Society
City of Wood Dale Wood Dale Public Library Kane DuPage Regional Museum Association Illinois Association of Museums Wood Dale Park District Bensenville Historical Society Historical Society Volunteers |
The Wood Dale Historical Society
850 N. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, Illinois 60191
630-595-8777
Museum Hours: Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 and Wednesdays, 1:00 - 3:00
Tours available upon request.
Closed on holiday weekends.
Tours available upon request.
Closed on holiday weekends.
(This article was taken from the opening pages of
Stepping Into the Past... With a Collection of Recipes from Yesterday's Farm and Friends,
(a cookbook published in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Wood Dale Historical Society.)
The Wood Dale Historical Society was founded on July 9th of 1971 by forty-one charter members.
Mary Lou Mittel was elected as the first President and Curator by these charter members.
A number of these members were also instrumental in the organization
of the library and park district for Wood Dale.
In 1972 the house and grounds of the Adolph and Esther (Franzen) Rosenwinkel farm
were donated to the Wood Dale Historical Society by the family.
It was stated in Esther Rosenwinkel's last will and testament
that the farmhouse and immediate grounds be donated and maintained as a museum.
The museum is a memorial to the Rosenwinkel family and to our city's forefathers.
The outbuildings and additional lands were donated to the Historical Society
by the developers of Forest Creek, the Illinois Industrial Properties
and Mr. John Stoetzel (personally) in 1982.
The City of Wood Dale held on to the deed and presented it
to the Historical Society on May 21, 1992.
The Historical Society was started to preserve the area's historical information
for present and future generations.
This information and the buildings have been disappearing at an alarming rate!
The area has lost the Pfluger Farm that was located
on the southeast corner of Wood Dale Road and Thorndale Avenue.
We also lost the old stagecoach stop buildings, called "Puttin' Hill", that were
on the northwest corner of the very same intersection for many years.
This area is where Sagone (Sa-go-na) was located at
Wood Dale Road (Forest Avenue) and
Thorndale Avenue (also called Lawrence Avenue and Pierce Road).
Sagone was the original Wood Dale before the train came through south of that location
at Irving Park Road (Plank Road) and Wood Dale Road (Forest Avenue).
Sagone had a general store, a blacksmith shop, a hotel, a stagecoach stop with barns
and 2 schools, Puttin' Hill School and the German Lutheran School,
and they were surrounded by many farms.
The advent of the train era changed the way the town grew up,
houses and businesses were literally moved from
Thorndale Road and Wood Dale Road to be nearer the train depot.
The first train depot, donated by Fredrick Lester, was originally north of the tracks.
Fredrick and Julia (Duncklee)Lester built their home just south of the tracks. That home is now Kenneth Johnson's law office on Irving Park Road.
Modern facilities are important to have,
but history is very important to cherish and remember!
This city didn't just "appear" overnight. It took years of hard work and great vision
from a group of pioneer spirited and inspired people.
Current membership is at approximately 70 businesses, individuals and families.
New members are always welcome and receive direct information
on up and coming events at the museum in our newsletter. Please join our family!