Mount Prospect Historical Society

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Breaking News

Myrt and Bill’s Drive-In

Does MPHS have photographs: No

Address: 302 W. Northwest Highway

Is building standing: Yes

When was it built: 1949

What is at site: Trezeros Kitchen + Tap

When was business founded: the lunch wagon opened in 1948 but the permanent structure opened in 1950

Is business still operating: No

If no, when did it close: 1952, sold to Mell and Paul Caltagirone

Who owned business: Myrt and Bill Hampe

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Myrt and Bill’s started as a lunch wagon on the corner of Northwest Highway and Central Road in 1948. Their lunch wagon opened in the spring and closed in October until the next spring. By late 1949, their business was in need of a place to serve their customers year round so they built a permanent structure at 302 W. Northwest Highway.

Myrt and Bill’s was referred to as “A friendly place to eat” and was known for their New York style hot dogs and burgers.

In 1952, Myrt and Bill sold their business to Mell and Paul Caltagirone and moved to California.

 

Photo courtesy of The Daily Herald, June 1948
Photo courtesy of The Daily Herald, January 1950

“Lost But Not Forgotten” t-shirt

Businesses helped make Mount Prospect flourish in its early days and many are still some of the most fondly remembered places in town. Our new shirt celebrates some of those businesses and shopping centers that will always be cherished and never forgotten.

This is a preorder sale, orders are expected to ship mid-March, 2022. $28 for sizes S-XL, $30 for 2XL. Contact us  for sizes larger than 2XL.

Make it a bundle by adding the book “Lost Mount Prospect,” written by our former Director Gavin Kleespies. 

*This shirt only displays a small number of influential local businesses. We do not intend to imply that these businesses were the most important in Mount Prospect’s history, that we are endorsing the products, services, or views of these organizations, or that this list is a complete listing of businesses that have been important in Mount Prospect.*

“Meet” the Friedrichs

If the walls at 101 S. Maple Street could talk, they’d have a lot to say about the Friedrichs family. Dietrich, Lena, and Bessie Friedrichs were long-time residents of this home, with at least one family member in residence from the time it was built in 1906 until it was sold to another family in 1966.
 
All three Friedrichs were involved in Mount Prospect community life. Dietrich was a house painter, but also played the violin and harmonica for local dances. Lena was an active member of the St. Paul’s Ladies Aid Society, where she cooked meals, sewed clothing, and made quilts for families in need. The Historical Society owes their daughter, Bessie, a debt of gratitude for her immense help in transforming her former home on Maple Street into the Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum. Her detailed memories of living there and donations of original furniture and family items guided the entire restoration process.
 
You can “meet” this family and tour their home this Sunday, January 9th from 11:30am to 1:30pm during the Second Sunday at the Society program. Costumed interpreters portraying Dietrich, Lena and daughter Bessie will guide you through the house and tell you what it was like in the early 1900s.  Central School will also be open for fun seasonal make-and-takes and visits. This FREE event welcomes all ages. Masks are required.