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Artifact of the Month
January 2018
Souvenir Handkerchief
Naperville resident Claude Grimes served in the US Navy during World War I. He sent home, or brought back, this souvenir handkerchief from his time in France. Souvenirs like this were very common and many were sent home to loved ones or brought home after the war.
February 2018
Debbie’s Gift Shoppe Ashtray
This ashtray is from Debbie’s Gift Shoppe in Naperville. It was located at Routes 59 & 65. Route 65 is now known as Aurora Avenue.
March 2018
Aerial View of Downtown Naperville
This color aerial photograph shows downtown Naperville around 1956, looking north with Main Street running vertically through the center and Washington Street at the far right. The DuPage River is visible just along the center bottom of the photograph.
April 2018
Moser Lumber Measuring Cup
This plastic measuring cup is from the Moser Lumber Do-it Center, which was located in Naperville on Washington Street just south of the train tracks.
May 2018
Naperville Civil War Veterans Photograph
This black and white photograph shows a group of Civil War veterans from Naperville posed in their uniforms. This photo was taken at a Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) reunion in the 1880s.
June 2018
Burlington Park Photograph
Burlington Park was in operation in Naperville in the 1890s and on summer weekends as many as 10,000 people a day would take the train out from Chicago to visit the park. The 60-acre park had a lake for boating, a baseball park, racetrack, dance pavilion, bowling alley, merry-go-round and a large dining and refreshment hall.
July 2018
Fatout’s Koffee Kup Salt and Pepper Shakers
This pair of red and white plastic salt and pepper shakers, is from Fatout’s Koffee Kup in Naperville. They date to the mid 1950s. Fatout’s was located in downtown Naperville at 107 W. Jefferson Avenue.
August 2018
Award-Winning Sheep
Siblings Dick and Carolyn Berger grew up on a farm in Naperville. Dick and Carolyn were involved with 4-H and with the Future Farmers of America. Here they are posed with their award-winning sheep in 1962.
September 2018
Naperville High School Freshman Class
Here’s the Freshman Class of Naperville High School in 1942.
October 2018
Jack O’ Lantern Decoration
This vintage die cut Jack O’ Lantern with jointed arms and legs was made by the Beistle Company, one of the largest manufacturers of Halloween decorations in the United States.