History in the Making: #TheJankGuitarStore

30 years later!

A son re-opens his father’s guitar store for a second chance in St. Charles.

It is 1985 and Scott Corbin is celebrating his 1st birthday in Dad’s shop, “St. Charles Guitar”. Scott’s father, Jeffrey Corbin, was a professional musician and then worked for the prestigious Gibson Guitars.  When it was time to raise a family, Jeffrey decided to open a specialty guitar shop in the beautiful Chicago suburb of St. Charles - which in 2011 was voted by Family Circle Magazine to be the best place in the nation for families.  

Due to the unfortunate divorce of Scott's parents, the store was sadly given away in the proceedings.  Scott’s father, Jeffrey, returned to Gibson Guitars and now has enjoyed a 40-year career in the music industry, working as artist management in recent years.  

Scott, a guitar player like his Dad, has gone on to have a tremendously successful career as a studio musician.  For over ten years now, Scott has worked out of the top studios in the country in cities such as Orlando, Los Angeles, New York City, Denver, Seattle, Las Vegas, Charleston, Atlanta, and Miami.  

Scott’s long-term goal?  He always wished to return to St. Charles to raise a family and enjoy life in the wonderful Midwest with family and friends.  So then the question presented itself as to “how?”  That’s when serendipity popped its head into the mix.  The exact location of the old “St. Charles Guitar” became vacant and available towards the end of 2014.  More than the proverbial light switch turned on in Scott’s head, because not only is this the chance of a lifetime to return to St. Charles as a professional guitar player with something to now offer his hometown community, but it is a chance to follow in his father’s footsteps - the person he has always aspired to be like.  Scott will proudly tell you, “my Dad has been the best father and role model that a son could hope to have.  I am honored to have the chance to follow in his path.  I am also extremely excited to bring a fun musical expertise and contribute to the amazing community of St. Charles.  This town raised me, and I absolutely love it here.”

Now in 2015, 30 years later, Scott will re-open his Dad’s shop for a second chance.  When asked about the goal of the shop, Scott likes to say, “Family brings people together, and a community is a large family.  I have always found that the guitar is the one instrument in modern times that brings everyone together.  So this will not be a guitar-shop with people, it will be a people-shop with guitars.  We are not looking for customers, we are looking for friends and community, and we can share everything over the wonderful instrument called guitar”.

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A MILLENNIAL APPROACH TO MUSIC EDUCATION March 10, 2015

Scott Corbin is about to hand over a $2,000 Les Paul to an 11-year-old. 

"Some people might call me crazy," said Corbin, "but how else are they going to get excited and learn everything that a guitar can be and do if they're only allowed to experience the 'starter' version?"

This "no limits" approach - letting kids learn on, touch, hold and play pro guitars and musical equipment - is what defines The Jank Guitar Store, a new kind of music education experience born in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles, IL. Even though the clientele is limited to students age 10 to 21, no guitar, amp, computer or other pieces of equipment will be off limits, no matter how expensive. 

Unlike most kids who have dutifully shepherded away from any and all expensive things, Corbin had the benefit of growing up in a household not so different from The Jank Guitar Store.

"Growing up my dad worked for Gibson and actually owned his own guitar shop back in the 80's in the exact location where The Jank Guitar Store is now," Corbin said. In a poetic turn 30 years later, Corbin has remodeled and repurposed the space once inhabited by his father’s guitar shop into The Jank Guitar Store. 

“I’ve been around great music and great instruments all my life, and I think that being able to be around that without limits has absolutely made me who I am today not just as a guitarist but as a person,” he said. “Kids today live in a very different time. Everything is instant, everything is disposable. But by teaching them about fine guitars and how to use and take care of very nice things and the history behind those things, they can appreciate quality, think long-term, and better understand what it means to build and maintain something great.”

More than a music store, The Jank Guitar Store is a place where young people between the ages of 10 to 21 can learn to play and understand the guitar, gather socially, learn about the history of music with bi-monthly documentary screenings and discussions, and even relax mind and body at a youth yoga class. The Jank Guitar Store will also extend the reach of music education to local elementary and middle school students by providing music education sessions in local classrooms.

Every expression of The Jank Guitar Store is created around a unique, inspiring and educational experience that will give local youth a constructive outlet through which to express and define themselves. The foundation of the shop’s unique approach is Corbin’s philosophy, “to treat and respect students with the same level of respect that we give adults. That is how we can truly teach and relate to these young musicians.”

Mind-blowing guitars aren’t the only stellar feature of The Jank Guitar Store, every instructor is a professional recording musician with an active career in the music industry like Corbin. 

He began playing guitar at age 11 when he learned to play Nirvana’s ‘Come As You Are.’ “That was the point in my life where everything changed,” he said. He took to the instrument naturally and voraciously and throughout his youth was known to spend hours on end perfecting his playing, a laser-focus that landed him a career as a professional studio musician at the age of 18. As a studio guitarist Corbin has worked in some of the most prestigious recording facilities in the world, from Grammy Award Winning Producer Eric Schilling’s TransContinental Studios in Orlando to the iconic Capitol Studios in Los Angeles. 

The title of ‘Jank’ refers to a genre of music developed by the group Casely and The Jank of which Corbin is a part. “Jank is a type of music that encompasses many sounds, many different cultures, and various styles of music to make one,” said Corbin. “It is the first of its kind.” Part of the genre is a style of guitar playing that combines the feel of a drummer and the precision of a violinist, a style that Corbin has personally adopted and is the namesake of the new business: Jank Guitar.

“I am fortunate to have had a very successful career as a professional guitarist, and I decided to open The Jank Guitar Store because I saw many budget cuts leading to the loss of music education,” said Corbin. “Music changed my life and I think it is vital for kids to learn about music in school and after school. With The Jank Guitar Store and the music education sessions we are giving them a place to be creative and productive but above all else a place to have fun.”

For more information about The Jank Guitar Store visit https://www.facebook.com/thejankguitarstore or http://thejankguitarstore.com,
or call (206) 779-2883.

A nod to the past: Crazy Fox Bar and Grill

Even today, the first blocks on either side of the Fox River Bridge on Main St. in St. Charles form the hub of our downtown district. Early photos of the 100 block of East Main show a wide selection of businesses. And more than a couple are taverns. At 104 E Main St, we can find in the early 20th Century, a tavern called “The St. Charles” and photos seem to indicate that this may have been a what is known as a “tied house” tavern. That means that a brewery, in this case, Schlitz, had an exclusive contract with the proprietor. That contract was a financial windfall for the tavern and often allowed the owner to open their business in the first place.

“Tied houses” disappeared when prohibition was enacted in 1919, so this photo probably dates to before then. Today, the Crazy Fox Bar & Grille occupies this location, and they are anything but a “tied house” to one brewer. They have more than a dozen beers on tap and 80 more “flavors” in bottles and cans. But the ambiance of the place is still cozy, warm and casual. A great place to go before a show, or just to grab a great dinner.

It might sound Crazy but owners, Peter and Daniela are living their dream after opening in January of 2017. Theater and festival goers can stop in to enjoy a libation. (or two) Plus, there is a Pickle creation you will want to savor and share.

For more information visit: http://crazyfoxbarandgrill.com/

History in the Making: Home Brew Shop

Home Brew Shop is a retail supply shop dedicated to providing raw materials, supplies, and equipment to home brewers and winemakers for the purpose of making beer and wine at home.

In addition, Home Brew Shop carries a full line of home beverage dispensing equipment and related hardware for that keggerator project. We do Co2 tank exchanges. We teach beginner beer & winemaking classes. Some of our other products include beer making books and winemaking books, soda pop kits, liquor and cordial kits, brewing spices, mother of vinegar, and varietal honey.

Old location that is currently under construction:
225 West Main Street

The building was built in 1900 and was originally a dry goods store.

Our business was established in 1990. We have been in 4 locations since then. We moved our business into the 225 West Main Street location in May of 2001 and have been there until June 2017 when we moved across the street to 9 South 3rd Street.

Temporary location:
9 South 3rd Street

This house was built in 1900 as a residence but has also been used commercially in recent years. Our other manager Mike Seaman, the owner's son, bought this house. He lives upstairs with his wife Brittany and they rent the lower half to the Home Brew Shop until our building is done being remodeled. When the construction is done, the Home Brew Shop will move back into the other building.

Harvest season is our busiest season since most of our ingredients are crops that are harvested in the fall, such as barley, hops & grapes. We will be getting fresh pressed apple cider soon, which is great for fermentation, or just drinking all on it's own. We will also be getting wine making grapes shipped to us from California and Washington in late fall.

History in the Making: Fine Line Creative Arts Center

History:

Fine Line opened its doors in September of 1979 as a small gallery on James Street in Geneva, Illinois. The founder, Denise Kavanagh, belonged to the School Sisters of St. Francis, an order of nuns devoted to teaching children and supporting women. She had been a school principal and after retiring at the age of 40, went on to pursue her dream of exploring her creative spirit. As a student at Northern Illinois University she quickly discovered that weaving was her passion. She brought a loom to the gallery and soon visitors asked if she would teach them to weave. That was the beginning ofFine Line as a teaching center.

By the second year there were 40 students, and classes in knitting and painting were added. A few years passed and Denise and her community of artists had outgrown the gallery and moved to a store front in Geneva. In 1986 another move was in order and the Fine Line moved to a restored barn on four acres in the St. Charles countryside. The acreage and barn were donated to the School Sisters of St. Francis by Lawrence Dempsey. There, Denise was joined by two fellow School Sisters of St. Francis, Geraldine McGovern, business and facility manager, and Peter Julian Werner, resident graphic artist. Students kept coming, more classes were added—crochet, spinning, papermaking, pottery, basket making — and fundraising efforts increased.

In December the first Christmastime in the Barn: Members Show and Sale (now known as Christmastime at Fine Line Holiday Show and Sale) drew hundreds of people. Every October, a national juried show, Uncommon Threads, features the work of fiber artists from across the country, and attracts as many as 600 art-to-wear enthusiasts. Over 100 volunteers each year combine their talents to make this event a breathtaking success.

In 1999, another of Denise’s dreams came to fruition with the completion of the Kavanagh building that houses the Kavanagh Gallery and five additional studios.

Denise passed away in December 2002, following a long battle with cancer. She was a force of nature—an enthusiastic teacher who encouraged all who knew her to be passionate participants. Her joy at finding her own creative spirit and her willingness to share her gifts and her great sense of humor affected the lives of all who knew her. She left behind a gift to the community.

Today, Fine Line is one of only a few regional art centers in this country. Internationally known artists teach a variety of workshops. The membership draws from the Chicago area and surrounding states. There are as many as 1,300 students a year, a teaching staff of 45-plus and well over 200 class offerings a year. So passionate are her friends, students and supporters that the center is run almost entirely by volunteers.

Current Events, programs

Adult art classes covering painting, drawing, jewelry and metalsmithing, blacksmithing, ceramics, photography, paper, glass and wood.  Our classes are taught year round. Major events each year are Fine Line art festival, Uncommon Threads and Christmastime at Fine Line.

The current incarnation of the Dempsey Gallery and supply store was opened in 2006.  The role of the Dempsey gallery is to support local artists by giving them the opportunity to show and sell their work year round. 

History of Staff:

Fine Line is run by a small team of 4 staff which includes Director Lynn Caldwell.  This team is assisted by a wonderful group of volunteers without who cover both the Dempsey Gallery and supply store, as well as helping with various events throughout the year, and maintaining the Fine Line grounds and buildings.  

For more information on everything that Fine Line has to offer visit: https://fineline.org/

History in the Making: El Puente

For over thirty years, the last name Jimenez has been synonymous with authentic Mexican cuisine in the western suburbs of Chicago.  Jesus Jimenez, the patriarch of the family, first immigrated to Chicago in the late 1960's from Guanajuato, Mexico.  After working in several restaurants, “Don Jesse” began at the now legendary longy’s rancho grande, in Lombard, il.  After working his way up in the kitchen, it wasn’t long before the owner Richard (aka Longy) made Jesse head chef.  

After the closing of Longy’s, Jesse tried several partnerships with other individuals, but it wasn’t until his wife Margarita became involved that they found success.  Margarita Jimenez brought hard work, determination, and a knack for business to the mix and from then on good things happened.  Margarita, a teacher by trade, was able to secure financing for the couple’s first restaurant in 1978.  A greasy spoon diner, called Mom’s Place in West Chicago, was to become the main restaurant.  

While starting their business, Jesse and Margarita had also started their family as well.  When margarita left her family in Mexico City and moved to be with Jesse, she brought the oldest son, Eduardo.  Not long after arriving in 1973, David was born and the family was complete.

When the storefront next door to the main restaurant became available, Jesse and Margarita opened West Chicago’s first Dairy Queen 1979.  A year later, the Glen Ellyn market came to their attention and in 1980 the couple opened the Santa Fe restaurant.  Located in a tiny storefront on crescent blvd in downtown Glen Ellyn, the Santa Fe drew such a crowd at its grand opening that the police department blocked the street in front of the restaurant so the public could hear the mariachis performing.  Don Jesse and margarita owned and operated the Santa Fe from 1980 to 1985, eventually turning over the small, but charming business to Don Jesse's brother, Jose.

After running the ice cream store and restaurant side by side for several years, the success of the main restaurant demanded expansion.  Closing the dairy queen and using both storefronts, the newly enlarged and remodeled main restaurant opened in 1982.  Having now added additional dining rooms, a liquor license, and full bar area, margaritas, and cerveza only enhanced the authentic Mexican dining experience.

Not content to only have one restaurant, the time was again ripe for expansion into untapped markets.  Opportunity knocked in the form of a recently closed restaurant, El Adobe.  After extensive remodeling and updating, Hacienda Inn opened in 1985 on Butterfield Ave. In scenic Warrenville, Illinois.  Hacienda inn was well received with the local families as well as the blue collar crowd which appreciated the great food, big screen tv, and lively jukebox. 

With two locations now going strong, the two sons, Eduardo, and David became more involved with the business, working at both restaurants when school and athletics permitted.

When Wheaton, Illinois finally lifted its’ ban on liquor licenses, Don Jesse & Margarita decided to relocate the Hacienda Inn from its Warrenville location to downtown Wheaton.  After getting a choice corner property in front of the train station, Wheaton saw El Zarape open in 1991.  The ornate and intimate restaurant was awarded the second liquor license ever issued in the city’s history.  El Zarape’s blend of Mexican comfort food, amazing margaritas, and beautiful murals continue to charm regulars and new patrons alike to this day.

After years of customers from as far away as Wasco, Sycamore, and the Tri-Cities pleaded with him to open a restaurant in their neck of the woods, Don Jesse began to look west to Kane County.  In spring of 1998, a building at 112. E. Main St. became available and would become the site of the fifth restaurant that the Jimenez family would open.  After almost a year of extensive remodeling, El Puente restaurant opened August of 1999. 

The response was overwhelming.  The word of mouth about the Mexican restaurant in the Tri-Cities opening was intense, and after several months of operating all three restaurants simultaneously (main restaurant, El Zarape, and El Puente) the family decided to focus their efforts on the newest opportunity.  After over twenty years in West Chicago, and with a heavy heart, the main restaurant was closed in order to focus on the incredible demand in St. Charles.

Four years after opening El Puente, the neighbors at 108 e. Main approached with an offer to sell their building.  The timing was perfect, and in 2003 El Puente expanded with an additional dining room to handle the extra business and a banquet room to host functions for patrons that wanted spice up their parties, functions, and meetings.  Since 1999, El Puente has been providing its guests authentic Mexican cuisine, warm and attentive service, and two generations and over thirty years of the best Mexico has to offer.  

The El Puente location in St. Charles has a rich history. Up until the middle of the 20th Century, this location was the location of the Star Theatre. Like many other theaters in St. Charles, it was a Vaudeville theater. Not much remains of the history of the Star Theater, but we do know that in the days before radio, movies, and TV, Vaudeville was THE source of entertainment. And the Star Theater left a legacy that later would be taken over by the Arcada Theater in the late 1920s.

For more information about what El Puente has to offer visit http://www.elpuentemex.com 

A nod to the past: Arcada Theatre

Lester and Dellora Norris’s confidence in the town of St. Charles could truly be seen when they decided to build the Arcada Theater. For three years they discussed with architect Elmer F. Behrens what they wanted the Arcada to look like and essentially to feel like. Lester had become fond of the Spanish Colonial Revival while living in Florida and so decided to create a building with beige terra cotta masonry, arched windows, low-pitched clay tile roof, and small wooden balconies. The stage was to look like the old streets of Madrid, Spain and the entry way had Mosaic floors with stone benches lining the corridor.

The opening of the Arcada Theater was set for September 6th, 1926 and thousands of people from all over Illinois came out to see the magnificent building and hundreds were unable to gain entrance. The first act to appear on the Arcada’s stage was The Last Frontier, a western vaudeville act. With the theater opening up at the height of vaudeville many famous vaudevillians like Ginger Root, Jack Pepper, and George Burns performed at the Arcada. While vaudeville slowly started to fizzle away, the Arcada Theater continued to thrive and was one of few theaters to show “talkies”, movies with sound. Unfortunately, vaudeville did die out in popularity and so the theater started to show more and more movies in the mid-to-late 1930s.

In the 1940s, the decade of loss, love and victory, St. Charles celebrated the end of World War II with a victory show. The shows were originally planned to be held at the St. Charles High School auditorium, but due to overwhelming ticket sales was moved to the Arcada Theater. Operadio employees under the direction of Delos Owen put on the show and all ticket sale money was donated to the USO. There ended up being $1,757.55, over $23,000 today, in ticket sales and about $1,000, or about $13,300 today, in other profits. The 1940s also saw a change to the Arcada Theater design when the lobby ceiling was lowered one level for additional office space on the second floor. The original marquee was also replaced with the one still on the front of the building today.

Movies continued to be the main source of entertainment at the Arcada Theater from the 1940s to 1970s when the theater began hosting community theater groups and traveling shows. However, the new program was short-lived and by 1979 live entertainment had been phased out. In the early 1980’s the theater was sold from the Norris family to Ruby Frank and a group of investors. For the next 20 years the theater continued to host movies until again it was sold in 2005 and is mangaged and operated by the Onesti Entertainment Corporation. Since then Ron Onesti, CEO/President of the company, has brought live entertainment back to the theater and hosts around 200 shows annually.

Check out the great things Arcada Theatre is doing now at http://www.arcadalive.com/

History in the Making: Abby's Breakfast and Lunch

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Back in the 1920s, retail businesses, restaurants and the like didn’t extend too far from Main St. First paved in 1915, Main Street St. Charles could be a muddy mess to navigate when it was unpaved. And the side streets that led away from Main Street didn’t enjoy pavement until a much later time. Foot traffic was limited, and even wagons had to avoid some streets after rain or snow.

North 3rd Street, though, was not without plenty of activity. Early commercial directories and maps show a large pasteurizing plant and ice cream factory just north of the current location of Abby’s – Anderson Ice Cream and Dairy (later Colonial Creamery) at the corner of 3rd and State Sts.

Across 3rd Street from Abby’s current location was a busy garage, with space for up to 60 cars. A few homes were also scattered in the area, with large lots. One of those, probably a two story Queen Anne, was located on the corner where Abby’s sits today. One can imagine a busy workweek that started early, with farmers in their milk trucks lined up to get their milk processed and other people dropping off their cars and trucks for repairs.

Founded in the spring of 2015, Abby's brings its twist on fresh, homestyle breakfast and lunch each day of the week. We serve unique breakfast and lunch items, plus your traditional favorites. Our drink menu features handcrafted cocktails, craft beer, and the best Bloody Mary in town. It’s our secret recipe.

Fast forward to early fall of 2016 and you’ll find Rob has rolled up his sleeves once again. Abby’s Breakfast & Lunch expanded into the adjacent space, doubling the seating availability and kitchen size. This new, upscale layout and welcoming atmosphere are perfect to host your private party or special evening event. We offer catering, too! To learn more about our services, give us a call. For a bite to eat at breakfast or lunch, visit us in St. Charles today.

For more information on what Abby's has to offer visit: http://www.abbysbreakfastandlunch.com

Hotel Baker Historical Overview

The Hotel Baker was Col. Baker’s home. Col. Baker was a farmer. He and his niece Dellora Norris inherited the fortune of the founder of Texaco Oil, Col. Baker’s brother-in-law John Gates. Col. Baker and his niece Dellora invested the money in the town. With every gift they gave, they gave with quiet graciousness. Col. Baker gave in abundance and ran the Hotel Baker at a yearly deficit. He was friends with people from all walks of life and wanted people to enjoy beauty and luxury no matter where they came from. When he decided to build the Hotel Baker, he told the architects to build their masterpiece. He lost his son and then his wife, and instead of living alone in the house, he moved into the Hotel, where he was always there to welcome people.

After Col. Baker was gone, his niece Dellora Norris was left with “that white elephant of a Hotel,” as she called it,  she told him not to leave to her, but she ended up with because there was no one else with the money to operate it. No one in the family showed an interest in the building, so they donated it to the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and the Hotel was made into a retirement home. When the Hotel was a retirement home, the property was subdivided and sold, and the Hotel Baker Garage was torn down and replaced by the assisted living facility Carroll Tower.

The Hotel during the years as a retirement home. The marquee over the front entrance was eventually removed as it began to deteriorate. The marquee wasn't able to be enjoyed as the architects intended it when the awning extending to the curb was added. Originally, as you walked into the Hotel, you could look up through the scalloped green glass and see the stained glass peacock and look up at the doorway.

Over the years, the building fell into disrepair. Overwhelmed by operating costs and the deteriorated condition of the building, the retirement home began selling the furniture and artwork from the Hotel before eventually announcing a sealed bid auction for the Hotel which caused public concern about the future of the downtown. Condos were planned, or a casino. However, from his office at the Arcada Theatre, Craig Frank could look out and see the Hotel and thought how neat it would be to have the Hotel and the Arcada back how they used to be. His mother Ruby Frank started Frank’s Employment and had an office in the upstairs of Colson’s Department Store, next to the Hotel. When Colson’s caught on fire and her office was destroyed, Lester J. Norris offered Ruby the Arcada Theatre. She bought the Arcada, and they began restoring the building, partnering with Willis Johnson of Classic Cinemas to completely restore the Arcada to its grandeur and bring it back as a movie theatre. With the experience of restoring the Arcada, Craig Frank partnered with Neil Johnson and bought the Hotel Baker. The town was thrilled that the Hotel would be saved, that not another part of the town would be lost. Craig Frank completely restored the Arcada and the Hotel Baker and was celebrated as “Mr. Landmark St. Charles” in 1997.

Hotel Baker, restored in 1997.

A nod to the past: St. Charles Fire Department

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The LaFayette Fire Company, the first organized fire department in St. Charles, was chartered in Kane County on March 18, 1842.  Fifty-six members signed the charter and paid a $25 subscription fee. This followed a fire in February 1842 that destroyed several three-story buildings, including that of the St. Charles Patriot newspaper, on the northeast corner of First and East Main Streets. 

From 1842 to 1852, the Fire Company operated with buckets and hand tools; it was a bucket brigade of volunteers that formed a line to pass buckets of water from the Fox River to fight fires. In 1852, they obtained a four-wheel pumping engine from Chicago, as well as a hand-pulled hose cart.

During the 1800’s, the Fire Company was unable to get the City to finance a fire station, so it rented various spaces to store its equipment and moved many times. In 1857, the City authorized the repair of a small barn next to Brett’s Cabinet Shop for storage of the Lafayette Fire Co.’s equipment and fire engine. The barn was utilized until 1870 when the City sold the building. Once again, the Fire Co. began renting spaces. The equipment began to fall into disrepair, and the hand pumper was sold for salvage.

In March 1871, a fire that began in a dry goods store on the east side of the bridge on the south side of Main Street destroyed all the buildings (with the exception of the Osgood Building) along the south side of East Main Street from the Osgood Building to the river. There was no fire engine; only the Bucket Brigade was available to fight the fire. In 1878 a barn on the southwest side of town was destroyed by fire. All the contents, including a cow and calf, were consumed.

The early 1880’s were a low point for fire protection in St. Charles and the end of any organized fire company. The Lafayette Fire Co. gradually disappeared during the 1870’s and the early 1880’s. A fire in 1884 that destroyed B. T. Hunt’s hardware store and another building with only the Bucket Brigade as protection intensified the debate over how to provide fire protection for the community. The City Council was unwilling to commit to the expense of fire protection.

In May 1885, the entire interior of the Farnsworth Mansion on Geneva Road was destroyed by fire. The exterior of thick masonry construction survived, The Bucket Brigade was powerless, due to the distance from the river. In February 1886 fire destroyed the Dearborn Building, one of the oldest buildings in town. The St. Charles Chronicle editorial asked, “How long will the penny wise and pound foolish policy be pursued?” In 1886 the City Council authorized the purchase of tools for fire protection but no trained personnel or hose or engine. 

In November 1887, after three more downtown buildings were destroyed by fire, citizens circulated a petition to force city officials into action. Mayor H.T. Rockwell appointed a committee to study the provision of fire protection. The City obtained equipment – a hand pumper, hose care and hose - and gave it to the Fire Co. and housed it at Miller Blacksmith Shop on the west side of First Avenue. 

At the end of 1887, the Fire Co. petitioned the City to take charge of fire equipment and take action to legalize the Fire Co. In February 1888, the LaFayette Fire Co. became the St. Charles Fire Department by municipal ordinance. It was a voluntary fire department with volunteer personnel and equipment provided by the City. However, the equipment was repossessed in February 1889 because the City never paid for it. However, after more destructive fires, the City began to pay for and expand equipment. 

The City continued to rent space for the equipment in Miller’s Blacksmith Shop until 1893 when the first Fire Station was constructed on the west side of First Avenue. It was a wooden structure attached to the newly built City Hall Building on the southwest corner of First and Cedar.

The debate over the type of fire protection the City should provide continued in the 1890’s. In 1893 Henry Young bought a steam fire engine from Boston, Massachusetts, and said the City could use it with the understanding they would eventually reimburse Mr. Young. In 1895 a fire began in the wood frame Grist and Flour Mill, where the Municipal Building stands today. In addition to the Mill, seven downtown buildings were damaged or destroyed. There was over $70,000 of property completely destroyed; losses would have been greater without the steam engine. The City paid for damage to the engine, but would not reimburse Mr. Young for its cost.
After the 1895 fire, the east wall of the Lungreen and Wilson Building remained standing. The wall towered twelve feet above the adjoining Osgood Building at the southwest corner of First Avenue and Main Street that survived the 1871 fire. A month after the Mill fire, a strong wind storm toppled the wall onto the Osgood Building, leveling it. Two of three women in the Osgood Building were killed instantly, and two men walking along First Avenue were killed by falling bricks. Another man and the third woman in the building were seriously injured, and a horse on the street was killed. The City still would not purchase the steam engine.

In 1896 the Rock Grove Creamery was destroyed by fire. Fire equipment was antiquated, there was no City water works system, as a plan to build one was defeated by the citizens in an election.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the St. Charles Fire Department remained much as it had been during the 1800’s. It operated out of the fire station attached to City Hall, with a small hand pumping fire engine and two hand-pulled hose carts. There were fewer volunteers and morale was low. However, in the early years of the 20th century there were improvements and changes, often prompted by fire damage to major businesses: 

• 1900: A major fire at Crown Electric Manufacturing Co.
• 1904: There were 12 paid-on-call men in the Fire Department as well as 10 volunteer firemen.
• 1906: Citizens voted to approve a water works system.
• 1909: The Fire Station was moved to a building at the rear of Nord’s Hardware Store at the northeast corner of First and East Main Streets. Space was rented for $10 a month; the department remained here until 1916.
• 1910-1914: More improvements in fire equipment and the water works system.
• 1915: Serious fire damage to Moline Malleable Iron Works.
• 1916: A new motorized fire truck was purchased from the DeKalb Wagon Co. To accommodate the new engine, a new fire station was built on leased land just north of the northeast corner of N. First Avenue and Cedar Avenue. It was a two-story wood frame building with an iron-clad exterior. The foundation and apparatus floor was concrete, the second-floor wooden construction. 
• 1916: First salaried employee: a paid fire truck driver.
• 1917: The Fire Chief position became full time. John Elliott, the volunteer Fire Chief since 1912.was appointed.
• March 1928: There was a fire at the East Side Grade School. Due to the building’s old age (1886) and fire damage, it was razed and replaced by Lincoln Grade School.
• 1928: New fire truck purchased thanks to a large donation by Lester Norris and Edward J. Baker.
• 1932: City remodeled City Hall Building, including moving the Fire Station into the City Building at 15 N. First Avenue. New mechanical sirens were purchased, replacing the steam whistle on the City Hall Building in use since the 1890’s. (One on City Hall Building; one on west side of town). This remained the Fire Station until 1961.
• Improvements continued through the 1940’s and 1950’s, often as a result of recommendations following inspections by the Illinois Inspection Bureau Assn. In 1959 the St. Charles Fire Protection District was formed, including areas outside the city in St. Charles and Campton Townships. By 1960 the St. Charles population had grown to 9,207 and the St. Charles Fire Protection District covered over 55 square miles.
• 1961: A new Fire Station opened. It was a remodeled former lumber yard building at 105 N. First Avenue. The building was shared by the Fire and Police Departments. 
• As the 1970’s began, the Fire Dept. consisted of six paid men and 38 paid on call firemen,
• 1986: Fire Station #2 on the east side of town was dedicated (2900 Production Drive).
• 1989: Fire Station #3 on the west side of town was dedicated (37W585 Campton Hills Rd.)
• 2009: New main Fire Station was dedicated (Fire Station #1 and Headquarters) as 112 N. Riverside Avenue).

A nod to the past: Club Arcada

On December 29th, 1934 Club Arcada made its debut in downtown St. Charles. Hiring Marshall Field and Co., Lester and Dellora Norris wished to have the club modeled after the high-class club in New York, El Morroco. Replacing the Chronicle Publishing Company, Club Arcada was located on the first floor of the Arcada Theater and featured cocktails, fine dining, and live music every night. Opening night featured Don Fernando, the famous NBC radio star, and his string orchestra and Diane Quallaire. The club was a hit and soon everyone from St. Charles to Chicago had to experience it for him or herself. Live music acts were mostly swing music bands so the guests could dance and enjoy their evening. Jackie Heller, Harry Diekman’s Swingsters, The Swingsters Quartette, The Four McNallie Sisters, and many more graced the Club Arcada stage entertaining the multitudes of people that showed up.

After many years, Club Arcada closed and was replaced with Scotland Yard and later the House Pub. It was not until Ron Onesti took over management of the Arcada Theater that the idea of another Club Arcada came back to St. Charles. In 2017, Ron officially opened Club Arcada, but this time it is located on the third floor of the theater building. Though the original club was 1930s, Ron’s Club Arcada is more of Roarin’ Twenties speakeasy, but still has some ties to 1930s. Open Wednesday through Sunday nights, the new Club Arcada keeps the tradition alive and features live music, cocktails, and dinner.  

Original Club Arcada

Modern Day Club Arcada

Check out what is going on now at the Club Arcada Speakeasy and Showroom at http://www.arcadalive.com/