Whether it was leading a Scout troop, helping with the annual Chocolate Tour or persuading state and federal officials to add an interchange on Interstate 57, Paul Schore did it for the community.

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at four front pages from January 30, including the removal of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich

The Norway Temperance Hall has officially added to the National Register of Historic Places by the US National Park Service.

Batavia’s Tin Shop stood for 135 years, but it took only a couple of days for the historical building to become a pile of rubble.

The structure from 1890 was demolished the week of Jan. 19 after various efforts to rehab, move or sell the property were unsuccessful. A public plaza and restrooms are planned in place of the Tin Shop.

Playing at professional baseball's highest level was a feat achieved by five people born in Lee County: Lou Bevilacqua of Nelson, George Bristow of Paw Paw, Betty Degner of Amboy, Leroy Herrmann of Steward and Frank Shaughnessy of Amboy.

McDermott: You do not need to like what happened, but you owe it to the future to remember the good and the bad. This story is about the bad. 

Obendorf: Since I have been shut up in the house, I have been working with a bucket of apples that Mike left for me. I started first with sliced apples and cheese. Then I went to cooked apples with cinnamon. Next in line was applesauce made in my blender.

A Fulton apartment building – one of the oldest structures still standing in the city – is now a total loss after fire broke out Sunday morning.

The list of guests who were reported to visit the Nachusa House in Dixon reads like a Who’s Who in American history. In today's history column, Tom Wadsworth elaborates on three notables: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Ronald Reagan.

The College of Lake County’s James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts will present “1619: The Journey of a People: A New Musical” on Jan. 23.

Oswego’s Little White School Museum invites you to share your stories and help preserve the community’s priceless local history and heritage.

Tom Wadsworth loves history. So much so that the Dixon native is the go-to guy for anyone who wants to know more about the city’s beginnings, how it grew since its founding, the people who bolstered its success, the places that stand out, and the backstories of it all.

Obendorf: This is the weather for soup and more hot chocolate as I stay huddled up in my chair. Alexa tells me the next day or two will not be any better as she warns people to stay in.

The Elmhurst History Museum will debut a new, original exhibition, “Anatomy of Healthcare: DuPage County Medical History,” which will open Jan. 23 and run through May 3.

One of Crystal Lake’s oldest buildings, constructed in about 1853, was completely torn down Tuesday after a year-long effort to preserve it was unsuccessful.

Despite efforts to save the structure, built in the 1850s, Crystal Lake's Academy Building became a pile of rubble Tuesday with the completion of demolition.

Back in the 1800s, the selection—not to mention the quality—of the meats consumers could buy was a lot slimmer. But the constant has always been that meat has offered farmers an easier, more compact way to get their grain to market.

Back by popular demand for an encore presentation Saturday, Jan. 31, Tom Wadsworth will speak about stagecoach history in northwestern Illinois (1828-1855).

The Geneva City Council's vote Monday of 6-4 was not enough to overturn the Historic Preservation Commission's denial of the developer's petition to demolish an historic circa-1840 blacksmith shop.

The Ogle County Historical Society recently introduced officers and board members for 2026.

Will County on Monday joined the United States, Joliet's Rialto Square Theatre and Route 66 in marking 2026 as an historic year.

Wild Winter Wednesday’s Jan. 14 program will feature the Rev. John Byker speaking about the early history of Fulton and how Gerardus “George” deBey was instrumental as an early Fulton recruiter.

As Shaw Media continues its 175th-anniversary celebration, today we look at historical newspaper covers, including our coverage of Amelia Earhart’s solo flight across the Pacific

Recently we lost Nancy Parks from our church and Max Snook and Richard Jacks from our community.

The celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 6. Take a tour of the apartment where the Reagans lived and discover more of Tampico’s history.

Record stories that captured people's attention in years passed.

The Flagg Township Museum held its annual meeting Jan. 3 at the museum.

As Shaw Media continues its 175th-anniversary celebration, we delve into the archives of January 10: In 1929, the cover of the Daily Chronicle's lead story detailed a plot by a prisoner to “dope” his way out of jail using morphine-laced candy

A group of preservationists are making a last-ditch effort to convince the Geneva City Council not to approve demolish request for the circa 1840s blacksmith shop at 4 E. State St.

Guest column: A special doll and a phone call from a friend brighten the holiday season.

Obendorf: I am always amazed how quickly some people say goodbye to Christmas and look to the year coming next.

Demolition has begun on Crystal Lake's Academy Building, one of the oldest structures in town. Preservationists' efforts to save it were unsuccessful, but they were able to document the building before its demise.

Stories of mistaken identity, forgotten diaries, vanished communities and newly uncovered literary treasures anchor this year’s Lake County History Symposium, presented virtually on Zoom from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and 15.

Now days, we take it for granted that the United States flag belongs in front of our schools, post offices, and other public structures—not to mention in front of so many private homes.

One of Crystal Lake’s oldest standing buildings, built in about 1853, is scheduled to be torn down starting this week after a year-long effort to preserve it was unsuccessful.

Village trustees have approved landmark status for the 1888 house, located at 23822 W. Lockport St. It has been in the same family since its construction.

Wild Winter Wednesday’s first program of 2026 will be Jan. 7 at the Windmill Cultural Center, 110 10th Ave., Fulton.

As Christmas gatherings take place, enjoy being with your friends and family. This is what the holiday season is all about.

In recent years, Christmas decorations have been coming out immediately after Halloween, and by Thanksgiving we’re bombarded with demands that we buy this or that gift. Unfortunately, I suspect some of my ancestors might be responsible for this holiday excess.

Obendorf: Polo’s Christmas celebration came off in fine style and Polo Historical Society had two full trolleys and two partial ones.

Rochelle historian Tom McDermott tells the story of German immigrants Rudolf and Else Metzger and their journey to Rochelle.

Almost year since OSF HealthCare took over Dixon’s former KSB Hospital, the City Council voted Monday, Dec. 15, to repeal the 130-year-old ordinance that created KSB.

150 years on, a small Lee County village still finds its strength in the neighbors who never stopped looking out for one another. As Compton celebrates its sesquicentennial, its people remind each other what truly endures in their small town.

Obendorf: The Polo Historical Museum has very old Christmas ornaments and trees that have been donated. We love the tree with bubble lights that still work and of course our Santa that spent many years in Muench Shoe Store is still dancing at the museum.

To honor the commitment to service of military members and their families in the Yorkville-area, several veterans and family members gathered to share tales of those who have served during the annual Veterans Day Tribute program at Chapel on the Green.

There will be no Oregon Depot Museum program in December. Programs will resume in January 2026.

José “Carlos” Ordaz, a longtime Rochelle resident and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway worker of 30 years, was recently featured along with Rochelle in the Rieles y Raíces exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago.

The 150-page book contains over 50 of his best Dixon history articles published in the Dixon Telegraph and the Sterling Gazette since 2023.

Work has begun on a new section of Elburn's Blackberry Creek development, and five of the streets there will be named for local families with deep roots.