A Short History of Spring Grove, Illinois-- Part 3: Growth, Then Decline Caused By the Automobile

Walter Carey introduced electricity to the village in 1918, using a waterfall n the Fox River to generate the power.

The business community continued to grow until the 1920s, when the use of automobiles owned by residents made travel to other communities easier.  Many of the businesses in Spring Grove closed.

Completion of US-Highway 12, which goes right through the village, a few blocks south of the old downtown, increased traffic, many on their way to Lake Geneva, about twenty miles away in Wisconsin.

One business that has been a bar/restaurant is located in the old downtown and has been there since the 1890s is now called The Grove and a popular spot for food, watching sports and entertainment.

Of course, we knew we had made it as a village when we got a Jewel grocery store, Walgreens and a McDonald's several years ago.  Plus, there is a growing strip of businesses along US-12.

--Cooter