Mount Prospect Historical Society

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Events

Mount Prospect Historical Society Housewalk features Driving Tour of Neighborhoods South and East of Mt. Prospect Golf Course

508 S Hi-Lusi Ave

Tickets go on sale November 1 for the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s 38th annual Holiday Housewalk which will highlight homes south and east of the Mt. Prospect Golf Course.  The walk will be held from 3:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4.

The interiors of five private homes, built since 1946, will be featured on the tour this year.

The homes which will have their interiors featured this year are: 508 S. Hi-Lusi, owned by Bradley and Deborah Moncton; 714 S. See-Gwun Ave., owned by Dan and Mandy Soderstrom; 508 W. Sunset Road, owned by John and Martha Nowak; 506 W. Sunset Road, owned by Joey and Katie Mack; and 802 S. Hi-Lusi, owned by Barbara Laz.

714 S See-Gwun Ave

All of the homes will be exciting to tour in their own ways, whether because of the lovely decorating, unique touches or renovation work that has been done, according to JP Karlov, Housewalk co-chairperson.

The tour will begin at the Mt. Prospect Golf Course clubhouse where last-minute tickets will be sold, refreshments will be offered, restrooms will be available, and watercolors of the featured houses will be displayed.  Museum store items and tickets for a raffle will also be sold there. The “will call” table for tour tickets ordered online will also be located at the clubhouse.

508 W Sunset Rd

As usual, this tour will be accented by beautifully lit luminaria.  Parking will be available along neighborhood streets and in the golf course parking lot.

Commentary in the homes will be provided by volunteers from local organizations, businesses, schools and the community.  Homeowners will provide the decorations. 

Non-refundable tickets will be sold for $30 each through 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson St.; River Trails’ Weiss Center, 1500 E. Euclid Ave.; the Central Community Center, 1000 W. Central Rd.; Millie’s Hallmark, 1024 S. Elmhurst Rd.; and the Dietrich Friedrichs House museum, 101 S. Maple St.

506 W Sunset Rd

Tickets are also available at www.mtphist.org.  Those tickets can be picked up at a “will call” desk located at the golf course clubhouse during the walk.

Last-minute decision-makers may also purchase tickets on the day of the walk, beginning at 3 p.m. at the golf course, but the cost will be $35 per person at that time.

“The Housewalk is the Society’s largest fund-raiser of the year,” Karlov explained.  “Its proceeds support the many educational endeavors of the Society and help to pay for upkeep on our museum.  We urge the public to support our effort to preserve local history through enjoying the Housewalk and our other activities throughout the year.”

802 S Hi-Lusi Ave

This year’s Walk is sponsored by Hearth & Home, Busse Automotive, Novak and Parker appliances, realtors Vince Dante and Debbie Geavaras, the Mt. Prospect Park District and Mrs. P & Me.

Free Model Train Show Coming to Mount Prospect Historical Society’s Central Schoolhouse October 24-25

As part of its celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary, the Mount Prospect Historical Society (MPHS) will host a model train display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026 inside their 1896 Central Schoolhouse structure at 103 S. Maple Street, Mount Prospect. The display will be provided by model train hobbyists from the Midwest Division of the Train Collectors Association (TCA) Modular Group and sponsored by Mrs. P & Me restaurant in Mount Prospect. Admission will be free, but please sign up for timed-entry here to help minimize your wait time.

The hobbyists’ model trains will represent those which have run on American tracks since 1920, according to Jim Kleinschmidt of the TCA. But most will represent trains seen during the 1940s and 1950s. The entire schoolhouse will be filled with running model trains and experts will be on hand to answer questions and point out unique features.

Snacks and souvenirs will be sold in a neighboring Society building and attendees will be given vouchers good for a $5 discount on a food (but not alcohol) purchase of at least $30 (lunch or dinner through November 30) at the historic Mrs. P & Me tavern which is just across the nearby tracks. Historic photos of both Mount Prospect and railroad operations adorn the walls of the restaurant.

Several weeks later the MPHS will present another related program called “Railroad Ties” at the Mount Prospect Public Library on the evening of November 9. It has been developed in cooperation with the historical societies of both Des Plaines and Arlington Heights and covers how the three communities cooperated and developed along the train line.

The local division of the TCA was formed in 1960.

Mrs. P & Me was built in 1902 and originally known as Behren’s Tavern. Henry Behrens Jr.’s establishment became a gathering place for farmers who stopped by for a drink and a chat while their farm goods were loaded onto a train headed for Chicago. When Prohibition took effect in 1920, Behrens changed his menu from beer to ice cream, soda and cigars. It was eventually sold to William and Sophie Kruse, who owned it for 40 years and called it Kruse’s Tavern. The restaurant got its current name during the 1970s when it was sold again; and now it is co-owned by Chris Bozonelos and Chris Figaro.

Mount Prospect Historical Society to host Cemetery Walk at St. John Lutheran Church

Stroll among the spirits at the Mount Prospect Historical Society’s Cemetery Walk on Sunday, September 27th! This year we’ll be at St. John Lutheran Church and Cemetery at 1100 S. Linneman Road. This congregation was formed in 1848, making it one of the oldest in the area.

The annual Cemetery Walk brings history to life – literally!

As you stroll through the grounds, costumed actors portray former residents of Mount Prospect, sharing their personal stories, struggles, and triumphs. These first-person narratives offer a fascinating glimpse into the people who shaped our community.

Pastor Jeff Gavin will also be available that day for personal tours of this historic church and to share over 30 years of knowledge about the church community.

The Cemetery Walk is generously sponsored by Friedrichs Funeral Home.

When: Sunday, September 27 from 12pm to 3pm

Where: St. John Lutheran Cemetery (1100 South Linneman Road)

Fee: $10 before 9/25 – REGISTER HERE; $15 at the gate