The Batavia Historian Batavia Historical Society P.O. Box 14 Batavia, Illinois 60510 Vol.Vol. 52 54 No. No. 1 1 www.bataviahistoricalsociety.org January,March, 2013 2011 East Batavia Branch Library The Batavia GeorgeChristian H. Scheetz Church: Director, Batavia Public Library Miss CassindanyThe WayW. Stephens It Was, (1868–1952)—better and The WayThis Itsecond-floor Was Beforespace previously That. was the residence known as Cassie—became Batavia Public Library’sSteve third Leadabrandof Frank E. Marley, publisher of the Batavia Herald. The Librarian in January 1911 and ran the Library until 1 Jan- building is now (in 2013) the location of Foltos’ Tonsorial uaryThe 1939. Batavia Among Christian her innovations Church was began the establishmentin 1852, Parlor.damaged by fire in 1917, making it necessary to nineteen years after the city itself was founded. It refurbish the auditorium due to smoke and water of a branch library on the east side in 1931. By 1938, Harriet C. Chamberlain was the branch librarian. met in various rented locations until 1866 when a damage. In 1933, the 80th anniversary was Hearkening to an era in which On 1 February 1943, the branch library was moved to stone house (locationBatavians unknow n)tended was purchased.to stay on their In observed. The centennial was held in 1952 which 1867, land was purchased for a new building (at includedthe first floorpublication at 110 ofEast a booklet, Wilson Street “The (no Centennial longer stand - own side of the Fox River, the East ing), next to Pinoke’s Men’s Wear. what is now 316 EastBatavia Wilson Branch Street) Library for $100. operated It in Herald - Batavia Christian Church”. This contains was built and the firstfour meeting different held locations May 17, from 1868. 1931 namesThe East of many Batavia of Branchthe congr Libraryegation’s closed ministers for good and on 1 A basement was addedthrough in 1890. February 1948, when it earlyMarch members. 1948, apparently There forare two also reasons: many pictures(1) automobiles of In 1890, the beautifulwas discontinued.stained-glass window was membersmade it increasingly and the interior easier toof travelthe building. across the (This river, 24- and donated by the Bible school. The rear addition was page(2) the booklet Library is found in the it co increasinglyllection of difficultthe Batavia to support Miss Clara C. Stephens (left)— the cost of a second location. dedicated on Oct 26,Cassie’s 1890. Theolder building sister and was the school Historical Society.) librarian at Mooseh- Pictured (at left) is the original building (about Miss Clara C. Stephens 1930) with its spires and steeple with bell. 1930 Mooseheart yearbook eart—was the branch librarian from 1931 Sometime in the 30’s or 40’s the spires and steeple through ca. 1938. In its original location, fell into disrepair and were removed. Denese Clark the branch library was located in the lower Leadabrand began attending about 1942 or 43 and level (basement) of the house at 114 North remembers that the steeple had been gone for some Washington Avenue, then owned by Clar- time. The next picture is the building as it was at ence R. Bell. The library had its own outside the time of the centennial in 1952. I started going entrance in what was then (and still is) a pri- there about 1951 and remember that they still had vate home. the bell (moved to the lowerDate: tower) ca. 1940–1943 which they rang By 1936, the branch library was located in by a rope for Sunday(based School. on business Mrs. namesFern Buelteron signs) a house owned by Fred W. Simpson at 238 was still playing the piano. Denese and I were East Wilson Street, at the southwest corner married there in 1958 by Fred Blakley, a former of the intersection with Van Buren Street, minister. Did you ever visit the branch li- where it shared space with Simpson’s gro- Fred W. Simpson (andDenese dog) startedbrary? attending Is it the true church that thethrough branch the cery and the Walker Laundry Agency. standing in the front Thursdayyard of his afternoonlibrary “church once school” had program.a linoleum In On 1 October 1938, for $20.00 per month, house at 238 East Wilsonthose Street. days, the kidsfloor were inscribed released fromwith their a map of The “Branch Public Library” (note the branch library was relocated to 7½ East schools to receivethe religious United trainingStates? at Do the you church have of the sign) was located here, ca. photographs or other artifacts Wilson Street, above the Kroger Grocery & 1936–1938. Given thetheir location choice. of Otherwise, they had to stay for study Baking Co., in a building owned by Emma J. the sign, the East Bataviahall. Branch related to the East Batavia (Mrs. William B.) Beem. Library probably was located on Branch Library? If so, then we the west side of the house, facing want to visit with you. Wilson Street. Hubbard’s For 101-plus years, Hubbard’s Home Furnishings was in the building until its impressive limestone was a Batavia landmark. The store, at 16 N. Bata- sanctuary was completed in 1897. via Avenue, began when Charles Johnson and Gus- The property deed shows the first non-church use tav Edward “Ed” Hubbard formed a partnership as a began with the Catholic Church sold the building to type of “general” store. John Benson and John Carlson. John Benson was the It continued through several transformations be- father of Arnold P. Benson who became a banker, coming an upscale furniture showcase for more than owner of the Batavia Herald weekly newspaper and 100 years until Dec. 15, 2011, when third-generation printing company and an Illinois State Senator. Later owner Robert Hubbard regretfully closed it. he was Illinois’ Secretary of Agriculture.” At some Robert, son of Paul Hubbard, began with the store point, John Carlson purchased his partner’s interest in 1977 after Army service and five years with Ethan and later took in a Mr. Elfstrom “believed to be the Allen’s corporate offices in Danbury, CT. His cousin brother of Phil Elfstrom’s grandfather” as a partner. Ronald, son of In 1910, Gus- Jim Hubbard, tav “Ed” Hub- had joined the bard and his firm in 1972 af- brother-in-law, ter completing Charles Johnson college. The two bought the prop- bought the busi- erty. Ed Hubbard ness in 1984. was originally Ron retired in from Batavia but 2004. had lived in Kan- “It was a dif- sas for several ficult decision,” years. Among Robert Hubbard his brothers says about clos- were Oscar, who ing the store. was a physician, “It takes a lot of and Levi, a mu- capital to oper- sic professor at ate a furniture Northern Illinois store and a lot of time and energy. I knew that it was University. not salable as an ongoing business because of our A few years after the partners purchased the build- location and what Ethan Allen requires. The sluggish ing, a fire destroyed much of the back portion. The economy of the last few years made it the appropri- fire had started in a barn to the north and spread to ate time.” Hubbard’s. Horses in the barn escaped and were run- An historic building ning free. The building dates to 1840 making it one of the After the fire, Messers Hubbard and Johnson oldest in Batavia. The original property deed was bought a gymnasium next door to the south for $450 1862; it was built by the Congregational Church and and moved it to the back of their store. The Method- when the church moved to its permanent home at 21 ist Church had owned the gym and used it for various S. Batavia Avenue, its “old” building was occupied programs. first by The Baptist Church and then by the Catholic A family operation Church. The Baptist Church moved to its new brick In addition to home furnishings, the store carried building at the corner of Wilson Street and North a full line of paints, wallpaper, window shades and Washington Avenue in 1889. The Catholic Church window glass. It also repaired wire screens, replaced Vol. 54 No. 1, Page 2 www.bataviahistoricalsociety.org The Batavia Historian rubber tires on wagons, tricycles and baby buggies, bank after the war. Later, he worked for First Nation- and framed pictures for $1.25 each. Partner Charlie al Bank in Batavia until 1949 when he left the bank Johnson made thousands of window shades in the to join his brothers in the store. Two years earlier, store’s lower level, cutting and sewing them by hand the three brothers had purchased Charlie Johnson’s and stapling them to the rollers. interest and changed the name to Hubbard’s Home Ed Hubbard’s three sons, Paul, Jim and Warren, Furnishings. worked in the store during their growing-up years. The three brothers did everything: cleaning, or- At the time, the store rented chairs and card tables. In dering, delivering and keeping the books. Since two 1999, Paul Hubbard recalled that he helped deliver worked elsewhere, the three brothers would return the chairs for various events, and then picked them to the store in the evenings to keep things going. For up the next day. He believed the rental was 3 cents a time, they had no transportation but then shared a per chair and 5 cents per card table. Plymouth which they bought from Larry Favoright The paint and wall paper department was always who had a garage in town. busy. Painters and contractors were major customers Later they bought a truck and would come to the along with home-owners.