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| Mount Prospect Trivia |
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Friedrich and Johanna Busse arrived in Chicago in 1848
and quickly set off walking west along the Algonquin Trail, looking for the
best farmland. They walked as far as Hanover Township, but didn't like the
clay soil there, so they retraced their steps and stayed overnight in the
Elk Grove Township Inn of Samuel Page. While there, they mentioned to a
German maid that they wanted to buy a farm. She, in turn, mentioned it to
Page. The very next day he offered to sell them his - 160 acres complete
with growing crops, animals, tools, and some furniture ‑ all for $2,700.
Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, and Park Ridge all came by their names
because of the seven‑mile swamp which surrounded Chicago. Real estate men
wanted to be sure that prospective buyers knew that these towns (which they
were moving to in droves after the Chicago fire) were above the swamp and
dry. So "Dunton” became "Arlington Heights", Brickton became "Park Ridge"
and Mount Prospect was started.
When the railroad was first built flag stop. This meant that if you wanted
to get on, you had to flag the train down to stop it. The train did not even
stop to deliver the mail, throwing it out on a post as they went by. The
village was so small and the farms so abundant that the conductors on the
train called it "Mount Straw‑ Stack."
In 1917, the Village's population was 299. The next baby born would bring
the population to 300, the magic ‑number for incorporation. This baby was
Norman Pohlman‑born January 7, 1917.
The original Village Hall was located at Northwest Hwy. and Evergreen. It
was built in 1917 and housed the police and fire equipment, offices, and the
town's only jail cell. This one‑man cell was commonly referred to as the "Blaha"
by old‑time law enforcement officers and residents. It was the name of the
first prisoner to occupy the cell. It was originally built so that Mount
Prospect law‑breakers would not have to be transported to Cook County jail.
Mount Prospect was ahead of its time in 1926. During this time, it was
uncommon for women to practice medicine. It was in this year, however, that
Louise Koester arrived and became the village's first doctor.
Van Driel's pharmacy (located on NW Hwy. and Emerson) was a very popular
place during prohibition. He had a license to sell government whiskey for
medicinal purposes. Van Driel is quoted as saying: "Whiskey was supposed to
be good for the flu. You just wouldn't believe how many people suffered from
the flu during Prohibition!"
Mount Prospect was the only city or village in Cook County that was not out
of money in 1930, during the Great Depression. The tradition of very
conservative money choices kept both the Village and the Mount Prospect
State Bank from going bankrupt. The Mount Prospect State Bank was one of
very few banks in the country that remained open during the Great
Depression. While many banks went belly up or closed their doors for
extended periods of time, the Mount Prospect Bank only closed it's doors for
ten days and that was because the President ordered all banks in America to
close for ten days.
Mount Prospect is full of buildings that have been picked up and moved. The
first schoolhouse is still standing but it has been picked up and moved to
three separate locations. William Busse's house has also sat at three
separate addresses, while the oldest house in town, the Owen Rooney house,
has had two. Even the general store and first post office got up and moved a
couple of blocks.
The Mount Prospect Country Club has had an interesting past. In 1958, it was
sold to Richard Hauff. Hauff was known to be friendly with many
crime‑syndicate (mob) leaders. An investigation uncovered that the money
that Hauff used to purchase the Club came from August Cirella, a known
friend of Al Capone. Hauff only owned the club for one year. It was then
sold to Orlando P. Colmatteo. He was also associated with the mob and a
battle between the Village and the new owner began. The Park Board wanted to
buy the property and its President, Charles Payne claimed that his life was
threatened by Colmatteo. Whether or not this is true, no one knows. However,
in 1961, the Park District won voter approval for the purchase.
When Randhurst shopping center was built (completed in 1962) it was the
largest enclosed, air-conditioned space in America. It also had a bomb
shelter built underneath that was meant to be large enough to house the
entire population of Mount Prospect.
Prospect High School has a Presidential history. President Richard Nixon
visited the school twice, once in1968 and then a second time in 1970.
The Village of Mount Prospect was referenced in the movie “The Blues
Brothers". Dan Akroyd, in a letter to a Mount Prospect police officer, said
that he used our village's police department (in the movie "The Blues
Brothers") because he heard that, in its early days, they were a tough group
that did not take any attitude from folks from the big city (Chicago).
Mount Prospect is the only village with Indian named streets that were named
by the Camp Fire Girls in town.
One of the very first females to become a village mayor was Mount Prospect’s
Carolyn Krause in 1977. She currently serves as the State Representative for
the 53rd District of the State of Illinois.
The Webber Kettle Grill was invented in Mount Prospect.
Francis A. Hoffmann, St. John Lutheran's first pastor, went on to become Lt.
Governor of Illinois from 1861-1865.
Actor Alan Wilder grew up in Mount Prospect. He is one of the original
Steppenwolf Players (25 years ago) and has appeared in several movies and in
commercials.
Actor Bruce Boxlietner grew up in Mount Prospect
NBC, Channel 5 Reporter Amy Jacobsen grew up in Mount Prospect
Andy Pafko, former Chicago Cub, lived in Mount Prospect.
Wayne Messmer, part owner of Chicago Wolves, formerly lived in Mount
Prospect
Cubs homerun star Dave Kingman went to Prospect High School
Former Bears great Gayle Sayers now has a computer software business in
Kensington Center.
Sammy Skobel - Sammy is something of a landmark in Mount Prospect. Even
though he lost 90 percent of his sight as a child and is legally blind,
Sammy is omnipresent. He is a member of the Roller Derby Hall of Fame and
was a bona fide Roller Derby star during an era when that sport enjoyed
nationwide popularity. Sammy organized the American Blind Skiing Foundation
to help blind people learn how to ski. For many years, Sammy ran a very
successful hot dog stand in Mount Prospect. He has also lectured widely, and
serves as an inspiration to everyone.
The 150th Busse Family Reunion, held here in 1998 may go into the Guinness
Book of World Records as the largest family reunion.
Mount Prospect is home to Prospect High School's Marching Knights who have
performed internationally, a highly acclaimed group. |
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