Lost and Found Mount Prospect

On this part of our web site we list buildings, businesses, people or organizations on which we want additional information or photographs. This is your chance to add to the history of your town, if you recognize any of the names or know anything about any of the site, you can help clear up a mystery.

Locations

Camp Pine

On the northwest border of what is today Mount Prospect is a Cook County forest preserve. On the eastern side of the Des Plaines River (near the intersection of Euclid and River Road) was a WWII German POW camp called Camp Pine. Around 200 German soldiers were held here through the war, living in 5 barracks with a mess tent. Many of them worked outside of the camp at local farms and some worked at Pesche’s flowers. After the war, the buildings from this camp were used by girl and boy scout troops. We would like any information, memories, or photos of this camp, either as a POW camp or as a scout camp.

Businesses

A and P Store

The A and P had a couple of locations in Mount Prospect, it was at the corner of Emerson and Northwest Highway, the corner of Central and Main and Main and Busse at different times. We have some photographs but would like more information on the history of the business.

Esquire Barber Shop

We have a photograph of the inside of the shop but no other information. We would like additional photos, and more information on the business.

Goldblatts Department store

This Chicago based department store had a branch in the Mount Prospect Plaza and was the first major anchor store for the Plaza. The store burned in the 1970s and was never rebuilt. We would like photos, additional information on the history of the store and the community feelings about it.

Golden’s Delicatessen

Golden’s Deli was in the first Mount Prospect State Bank building that stood on the corner of Main Street and Busse Ave. It appears to have been in business in the 1950s. We do not have an original image of the business or any images from the inside. We would like any information, memories, photographs or miscellaneous objects related to the business.

Golden Point Restaurant

Located on Northwest Highway between Emerson and Mount Prospect Road, this was a restaurant that specialized in $0.15 burgers. It was apparently a part of a chain that was an early local competitor to McDonalds. The stores had alpine steeped red roofs with an exaggerated central blue chimney with large golden spire coming out of the center of it. We have images of Golden Point Restaurants in other communities, but no photographs or additional information on the location in Mount Prospect. We would like any information, memories, photographs or miscellaneous objects related to the business.

Jack Gunnell’s Restaurant

Located at the corner of Main St. and Rand Road, this restaurant was in business for many years. It was in a large, two story building with bay windows. Later a bowling alley and gas pumps were added to the site. You can learn more about this business on the Jack Gunnell’s Restaurant page. Many people remember the business but no one seems to have a photograph of it. We would like to see a photograph or hear about other people’s memories.

Haberkamp’s Flowers

The Haberkamp family had a large set of greenhouses in Mount Prospect for many years. The greenhouses were located on Central Road and N. Elmhurst Avenue, although very little is known about the business. We would like additional information and photographs.

Henderson Drug

This drug store was one of the earliest in Mount Prospect. Located at the corner of Emerson and Northwest Highway it was in operation in the 1920s or 1930s. We would like any additional information on the business.

J and B Village Meat Market

Located at 110 S. Main street in the 1950s, nothing else is known about this business. We would like any information, memories, photographs or miscellaneous objects related to the business.

Kenroy Developments

This development project happened in the 1960s and faced major opposition in the village. One notable part of the development was the placement of columns taken from a federal court house in Chicago on the grounds of the development as decoration. Today this development is known as Huntington Commons. Any memories or photos of this development would be appreciated.

Mary Jayne’s Ladies Apparel

Located at 9 W. Prospect Ave, this store was in operation for over thirty years, starting in the 1950s. We would like any information, memories, photographs or miscellaneous objects related to the business.

Matterhorn Restaurant

In the 1960s, this restaurant was opened in the Mount Prospect Holiday Inn. We would like any information, memories, photographs or miscellaneous objects related to either the restaurant or the Motel.

Milburn Brother’s Paving

This was the business contracted to pave the first roads in Mount Prospect in the 1920s. We do have some information on the company, but would like information from anyone who worked with them or knew someone who worked with the company.

Mount Prospect Federal Savings and Loan

Located a 15 E. Prospect Ave, little or nothing is known about this bank. We would like any information, memories, photographs or miscellaneous objects related to the business.

Mount Prospect Theater

Locate on Main Street between Busse and Central, this theater was a major attraction in the village for years. We have a couple photographs of the exterior but nothing of the inside. We would like to have any photos of the inside of the building and any memories of the theater.

National Tea Store

Located on Central Ave, this was one of the main grocery stores in Mount Prospect for many years. It was open in the late 1920s and was prominent in the 1930s. We have some photographs, but would like more specific information from someone who may have known the people who worked in the store.

Ninneman’s Ice Cream

Located at the intersection of Main and Prospect or Northwest Highway, This store is remembered by many, however we have few pictures and no one’s memories on file, we would like to add either of these to our collection.

The Sanitary Market and the Sanitary Barber Shop

These businesses were located on Northwest Highway just east of Emerson. basically nothing is known about them.

Schillo Brother’s Pickles, Vinegar, Sauerkraut, and Preserves

This business was based in Chicago but had a plant in Mount Prospect. We would like to know where it was and any pictures or memories of it would be greatly appreciated.

Shell Oil Distribution and Storage Facility

In 1955 the construction of a major storage and distribution center was discussed. It was going to be located between Oakton and Elmhurst. We would like to know if it was built, when did it operate, when was it demolished and if anyone had photos of it.

Texaco Town

Located at the corner of Northwest Highway and Central in the late 1930s, this station not only offered gas but had a lunch counter and a small store. We would like photographs, memories, stories or anything that help explain the history of the store.

Utility Battery Company or Wuerffel and Merker Electric Company

The Utility Battery Company, run by Herman Wuerffel, was the company that brought electricity to Mount Prospect. Built in the 1910s it operated out of a building on the corner of Elm and Evergreen. This building later became the home of Crowfoot Manufacturing, then later an auto mechanic and was finally demolished for a downtown redevelopment. We would like any additional information or any pictures.

Organizations

Any information, photographs or memories of the following organizations would be greatly appreciated.

Mount Prospect Extensioneers (1970s)

Mount Prospect Gaming Club (1970s)

Mount Prospect Homemaker’s Club (1960s)

Mount Prospect Civil Defense League (1940s)

Mount Prospect Men’s Club (?)

Mount Prospect Nurses Club (1970s-1990s)

Mount Prospect Skating Club (1960s)

Nineteen in the Seventies (1970s)

 

Political Organizations

 

Any information, photographs or memories of the following political parties or organizations would be greatly appreciated.

Community Party (1934)

Good Neighbors Party (1960s)

Home Owners Party (1940s)

Village Action Party (1960s)

Village Progress Party (1940s)

People

Any information on the following families or members of the following families would help our research collection develop.

Behlendorf Family

Behrens Family

Deeke Family

Engelking Family

Glade Family

Juhnke Family

Kerschke Family

Kirchoff Family

Linneman Family

Mullenkamp Family

Rateike Family

Thake Family

Tonne Family