The Great Tollway Landscaping Theft

In 1960, Western Springs began beautifying the new Tollway. But, their efforts were quickly undermined by thieves. In late 1959, the Western Springs Beautification Commission began exploring the possibility of planting trees and shrubs along the shoulder of the brand-new Tri-State Tollway, just west of the village. This would provide

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A 26-Year-Old Murder Case is Solved

In 1981, a car bomb killed a Hinsdale resident as he drove onto the southbound Tri-State Tollway. The crime would not be solved until 2007. On June 24, 1981, a Western Springs police officer was working radar at the corner of Ogden and Grove avenues. Suddenly, at 9:43 a.m., he

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The Day Western Springs Banned a Book

Although first published in 1934, Henry Miller’s “Tropic of Cancer” didn’t arrive in Western Springs until 1961. But, when it did, it caused quite a stir. Western Springs is often described as a sort of “Mayberry.” People mention the quaint downtown, the churches seemingly on every corner, and that everyone

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The Night the Water Tower Sprang a Leak

It was a quiet August evening at the historic Western Springs Water Tower. But, suddenly, a loud noise prompted the police chief to run upstairs. In 1926, the Western Springs police department and village offices were located on the two lower floors of the historic water tower. Above them rested

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Western Springs Policing … in the Old Days

We’re all used to seeing the village’s white patrol cars with their flashing lights, antennas, and decals. But, policing used to be a whole lot different. In 1885, a year before Western Springs was incorporated as a village, the townspeople decided they needed a Town Marshall. Besides keeping law and

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The Unluckiest Robber of 1984

On the evening of September 29, 1984, most Western Springs residents were going about their normal routines, unaware of what was unfolding at Tischler Finer Foods. In September of 1984, Tischler Finer Foods, located on the southeast corner of Wolf and Burlington, had just celebrated its third year of operation

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