Thursday, October 4, 2012
The final installment in a series on the white house at Renwick and Route 59.
The Inquiry Joan, a Plainfield Patch reader, asked, “What is the history of the little house across from the McDonald’s restaurant at Renwick Road and Route 59?” The evolution of the small house between 1833 and 1845 has been related in prior columns (click here to see part one, and here to see part two). However, the intriguing history of the property is concluded in this third installment about the home’s evolution. The Facts The present house on the property was built in three distinct sections. Presumably, bachelor Walter B. Wattles built the existing, rear wing of the house around 1835. The second section of the unassuming house is the south wing built by Jay Dyer in the early 1840s. One story in height, the building form is …
Thursday, September 20, 2012
More on the little house at Route 59 and Renwick.
The Inquiry Joan, a Plainfield Patch reader, asked, “What is the history of the little house across from the McDonald’s restaurant at Renwick Road and Route 59?” The earliest history of the small house and its association with the settlements of Walkers’ Grove was introduced in a prior column (click here to read it). However, the intriguing history of the property unfolded over several more decades. The Facts The present house on the property was built in three distinct sections. Presumably, Walter B. Wattles built the rear wing of the house around 1835. The following summer, W. B. Wattles sold his land, including nearly 60 acres of timber, for $1,600 to Archibald Clybourn. William Wallace Wattles, Walter’s father, sold 140 acres of …
Thursday, September 6, 2012
An unassuming house at Renwick Road and Route 59 has ties to Plainfield's pioneer history.
The Inquiry Joan, a Plainfield Patch reader, asked, “What is the history of the little house across from the McDonald's restaurant at Renwick Road and Route 59?” The Facts Today, vehicles of all shapes and sizes roll just a few feet from the front wall of an unassuming structure. Once home to some of this area’s earliest pioneers, the tiny white residence was built on the open prairie at the edge of the immense forest that was known as Walkers’ Grove. In fact, a portion of the house is—most certainly—associated with the settlement of Walkers’ Grove that occurred between 1830 and 1834. The present house on the property was built in three distinct sections. The rear cell is the oldest section of the house. Based on its exterior form, the …
Thursday, August 23, 2012
From dance hall to skating rink to teen music venue: The fourth installment on post-1920s Electric Park.
The Inquiry This is the final installment detailing the 20th Century history of the Electric Park site in response to a Plainfield Patch reader’s inquiry: “What became of Electric Park after it closed in the 1920s?” (See the first installment here; click here for part two and here for part three) The Facts Many attempts were made to revive Electric Park and its brief—but unforgettable—popularity. Although the history of Electric Park’s two-decade run has sparked many nostalgic memories, its history after the streetcar era is a colorful tale spanning five decades or more. Skate Keys and Fancy Footwork After the death of “Butch” Crowley in 1936, the Electric Park property sat vacant for nearly 14 months. During the late 1930s, the …
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Part three in a series on what became of the riverfront hotspot after its heyday ended.
The Inquiry This is the third installment describing the 20th-Century history of the Electric Park site in response to a Plainfield Patch reader’s inquiry: “What became of Electric Park after it closed in the 1920s?” (See the first installment here, and click here for part two) The Facts Many attempts were made to revive Electric Park and its brief—but unforgettable—popularity. Nearly all of the efforts were tinged with a bit of notoriety and a few with a bit of outright scandal. The decade between 1928 and 1937 witnessed the continued decline of Electric Park in spite of the efforts of optimistic—and, possibly, corrupt—entrepreneurs. Electric Park Nearly Vanishes During the summer of 1924, Lawrence “Butch” J. Crowley, a reputed …
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Once a thriving tourist attraction, what became of Electric Park once it closed for good in the 1920s?
The Inquiry This is the second installment of the 20th Century history of the Electric Park site in response to a Plainfield Patch reader’s inquiry: “What became of Electric Park after it closed in the 1920s?” The Facts Although Electric Park never re-opened in 1924, several interesting chapters were added to the site’s legacy over the course of the next five decades. Many attempts were made to revive Electric Park and its brief—but unforgettable—popularity. Nearly all of the efforts were tinged with a bit of notoriety and a few with a bit of outright scandal. As summer turned to autumn in 1924, most of Electric Park’s equipment and furnishings were sold off in piecemeal fashion before the 20-acre park grounds were sold. Radio Days The …
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Did a Lockport Street druggist come up with the creamy creation? Or is the story just sugar-coated history?
Today, you can find it in any town in the United States — whether you prefer yours with hot fudge, with or without nuts or topped with a cherry, the ice cream sundae is an American staple. But the sweet treat was a novelty back in the 1890s, when 24-year-old Charles Sonntag introduced the sundae at his pharmacy and soda fountain on Lockport Street. Today, the location is home to Back on the Rack. But was the creamy concoction truly invented here? That’s the mystery filmmakers will unravel in an upcoming PBS documentary, which takes a look at the four towns that claim the distinction of being the first place to serve up a sundae. The special, “The Mysterious Origin of the Ice Cream Sundae,” will feature a guest appearance from Plainfield …
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Once a popular amusement venue in Plainfield, Electric Park closed nearly 90 years ago — what's become of it since then?
Since this weekend’s Plainfield Fest is being operated under the auspices of the Riverfront Committee for the benefit of redeveloping the iconic park site, it seemed appropriate to explore the 20th-Century history of Electric Park. The Inquiry A Plainfield Patch reader asked, “What became of Electric Park after it closed in the 1920s?” The Facts Many attempts were made to revive Electric Park and its brief—but unforgettable—popularity. Nearly all of the efforts were tinged with a bit of notoriety and a few with a bit of outright scandal. Eighty-eight summers ago, the future of the storied park was more uncertain than ever. An Ordinary Autumn As October 1923 drew to a close, Electric Park was prepared for another winter much as it had …
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The third installment in a series on the historic Joliet Road home and the people who lived in it.
The Inquiry In response to a request by, Sally, a Plainfield Patch reader, the history of the Chittenden- Owens House and its residents is concluded in this final installment of a three part series. The Facts The stately residence along Joliet Road was erected in 1883 by George and Elizabeth Chittenden for their son, Will, and his wife, Luella. However, the newlyweds only spent seven years in the Plainfield home before moving to Denver, Colorado. At that time, the home was purchased by Dr. John C. and Mary Owens. Not only did they raise a family in the prominent residence, but they also enlarged and remodeled the home over the course of five decades. Shortly before Mary Owens died in 1928, Dr. Owens retired, ending his medical …
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The second installment in the history of the Joliet Road home.
The Inquiry In response to a request by Plainfield Patch reader, Sally, the history of the Chittenden-Owens House and its residents has been explored in this second installment. The Facts The stately residence along Joliet Road was erected by a prominent Plainfield pioneer family and, later, was the home and office of a well-respected physician. The Italianate and Queen Anne-style home—along with its impressive grounds—was widely known as the most impressive residential property in the village when it was constructed. The Short-Lived Chittenden Era Although it appears that George N. and Elizabeth Chittenden built the large home, the couple probably never lived in the house. In November 1883, the new home was quickly deeded to their son, …
Shannon Antinori
12:43 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012
Last week's column is here: http://plainfield.patch.com/articles/lambert-turk-bird-the-tale-of-a-pioneering-pilot more ›