Mount Prospect Historical Society

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Randhurst Twin Ice Arena

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: On Kensington Road at the southeast corner of Randhurst Shopping Center

Is building standing: No

What is at site: Home Depot

When was business founded: Early 1970s

Is business still operating: No

If no, when did it close: Mid 1980s

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Randhurst Twin Ice Arena (located where Home Depot currently stands) opened in the early 1970s as a way to attract shoppers to Randhurst. Originally opened in hopes of encouraging amateur hockey and ice skating programs, it ended up becoming well known for another reason.
 
In 1974, the Chicago Cougars, a hockey team that belonged to the World Hockey Association, used the International Amphitheatre as their home rink. However, the team had such a poor start to the season that the rink owner booked a production of “Peter Pan” and melted the ice, making the location unusable for playoff games. Randhurst Twin Ice Arena came to the rescue, giving the Cougars a place to play their home games during the playoffs. The arena was also used to open the World Hockey Association title round when the amphitheatre booked a wrestling show for the same day. Although the Cougars did not go on to win the series, they played a great season that year.
 
Unfortunately, the Twin Ice Arena did not stay open very long and by the mid-1980s the building was turned into a toy store named Child World.
 
Ticket from the April 28, 1974 Chicago Cougars vs. Toronto Eastern Division Finals game

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Golden Isle Restaurant

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: 1962

Is business still operating: No

If no, when did it close: 1965

Who owned business: William Golden


Interesting stories, facts, history:

William Golden purchased 302 W. Northwest Highway from the previous owners of Mell and Paul’s Drive-In (Paul and Carmella Caltagirone). Golden Isle specialized in pizza, full course meals, and snacks, and also offered catering service. A cocktail lounge, referred to as “Mr. G’s Room,” was also part of the restaurant. 

Golden Isle closed in early 1965 when Jake’s Pizza took over the space.

 

Photo courtesy of Journal & Topics, September 2015

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Mell and Paul’s Drive-In

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

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: 1952

Is business still operating: No

If no, when did it close: 1962

Who owned business: Paul and Carmella Caltagirone

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Paul and Carmella Caltagirone purchased 302 W. Northwest Highway from Myrt and Bill Hampe, previously the owners of Myrt and Bill’s Drive-In. Paul and Mell changed the name of the restaurant to Mell and Paul’s Drive-In, where they and their 3 children served customers for 10 years.

 

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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

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“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.*