DeKalb's Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Clock

From the March 4, 2020, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1995, 25 Years Ago.

"The restoration of the DeKalb Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Clock, located on the north side of Lincoln Highway near Third Street, has been a project of the DeKalb Landmark Commission, the Downtown DeKalb Association and the DeKalb Memorial Clock Committee for about two years.

"The clock was originally erected with donated funds in 1921 and was located at the northeast corner of Third and Lincoln."

--Cooter

Coal Strike Hits Home in 1919

From the Dec. 4, 2019, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"Lincoln Highway resumed its war-time appearance again last evening, this time doing its bit in the conservation of coal.  All boulevard lights with the exception of corner lights were dark last evening by order of the city administration and folks passed up and down the main street in darkness as they had done during the war.

"But, today the country faces the most critical stage of the coal strike, the small surplus is gradually being consumed  and as the pile decreased, the demand for wages increased, and no arbitration in sight."

Use the Coal for Bad Little Boys and Girls.  --Cooter

New Taxi Fare Rates: 35 Cents in 1918

From the November 14, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The following rates will prevail for Taxi Service.  35 cents to all points in the city except south of Bush street, and points on Haish, Leonard, Ellwood,  and Glidden avenues south of South street, west of Normal  Road on Lincoln Highway, north and west of Normal school, north of Clark street, and east of the tracks on Lincoln Highway, where fifty cents for one passenger will be the rate, or 35 cents each for more than one.

"Night calls , from midnight to 6:00 a.m. 50 cents a person.  Funerals and weddings $5.00 per car, in DeKalb."

Hey, TAXI!!!  What, No UBER?  --Cooter

Just the Facts About the Stanley Cup-- Part 3 Who Was Lord Stanley? (What Is Lord Stanley's?)

Well, everyone from DeKalb, Illinois, home of NIU, knows that it is the name of a great bar where the DeKalb Footstompers play every Homecoming to a packed house.  The place is named after the Stanley Cup and called Lord Stanley's.  Of course, it is a HUGE Blackhawks bar, just the place to watch a Hawks game or any hockey game for that matter.

Back when we were at NIU, it was the Shamrock and back then the upper level was open for partying as well.  It was one of out downtown bars which also included the Uprising (now Otto's), Andy's (now open whenever the owner gets around to it), McCabe's (now closed), the Candlelight (torn down but where the downtown McDonald's is now and Sullivan's (referred to as Sully's).

These bars were all part of what we referred to as the Lincoln Crawl, so named because DeKalb's Main Street is none other than the famed 1913 Lincoln Highway.

Crawlin' the Crawl.  --Cooter

Lincoln Slept Here, He Really Did

Go most anywhere in Illinois, and you find places claiming that Abraham Lincoln slept there.  The Monahan-Lincoln home in Sterling, Illinois, is one place he did according to records.

And he did it before the Lincoln-Douglas debates, back in 1856 when he was stumping for the new Republican Party's first presidential candidate, Fremont.  He was originally to spend the night at his friend from downstate, Wilson, a member of the Long Nine group of politicians, responsible for having the state capital moved from Vandalia to Springfield.  However, Wilson's wife had had a bad fall from a horse and was unable to be a host, so this house was selected.

The home was in great disrepair, but a local group acquired it and spent much time and money returning it to its former appearance.

We were able to stop at it on Saturday's Illinois Lincoln Highway Motor Tour across the state and it was a real highlight.

Thanks, Kay Sheton, for the Opportunity.  --Cooter