Naperville Sun – Page 11

Who needs a pony when you can ride a sheep? Of course, these days who has a sheep — or a pony, for that matter — waiting in the backyard when you want to give your youngster a ride? That was not the case 100-some years ago, when livestock could easily be found all over Naperville. In this undated photo, the Naperville Heritage Society could not identify the people in the image but know it was taken at the Eichelberger farm in Naperville. According to one online historical account, the farm was once 800 acres large and a good portion of it is now the Springbrook Forest Preserve, near 75th Street and Route 59. More than 100 Eichelberger descendants are buried in the Naperville Cemetery, the account said. (Naperville Heritage Society)

The Way We Were: When a pony wasn’t handy, this farmer gave the kiddo a ride on a sheep

October 17, 2025 at 8:06 p.m.

An undated photo from the Naperville History Society shows a man giving a little girl a ride on a sheep on the Eichelberger farm.

It's hard to believe but these young, fresh faces who made up the Naperville High School freshman class in 1942 would now be 97 or 98 if alive today. Likely some of them headed out to fight in World War II before they graduated. Do any of them still live in Naperville now? Maybe not, but it's a good bet one of their sons or daughters or grandchildren probably does.

The Way We Were: Fresh Naperville faces in 1942 would be 97-plus today

October 10, 2025 at 10:15 a.m.

Naperville Heritage Society photo captures the Naperville High School freshman class in 1942.

Naperville man who kicked wife to death convicted of murder

October 8, 2025 at 1:10 p.m.

A Naperville man has been convicted of kicking his wife to death after finding text messages on her phone from another man.

Letters to the Editor: Protecting green space imperative for city’s future; people need to stop treating pets as ‘disposable’

October 3, 2025 at 2:10 p.m.

Letters to the editor submitted to the Naperville Sun.

While the playing of high school football dates back to the early 1870s in the eastern part of the United States, the first interscholastic game in Illinois didn't take place until Nov. 1, 1879, when Evanston High School defeated Northwestern Academy, according to a history of the game on the Illinois High School Association website. As this 1915 photo taken by prolific Naperville photographer Charles Koretke shows, it was clear our city — with just 3,449 residents, according to the 1910 U.S. Census — had fully embraced the game as evidenced by Naperville High School's full roster of players. It's hard not to cringe at their cursory nod to head protection and other protective gear but presumably the sport was not nearly as roughly played as it is today. (Naperville Heritage Society)

The Way We Were: Football in Naperville already a big thing 110 years ago

October 3, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

A 1915 photo of the Naperville High School football team shows just how much the game as changed in the intervening years.

With the kids at one table and the adults at another, this photo of dinner at Grandpa Stark's house could have been taken today were it not for the boys being attired in suits, the girls wearing giant bows in their hair, and the old-fashioned coffee pots and light fixtures that can be seen. According to previously published information, grandpa was Jacob Stark and this photo was taken at a Thanksgiving dinner in 1901 at his home at 15 N. Brainard St. in what is now known as the Naperville Historic District. (Naperville Heritage Society)

The Way We Were: Celebrating Thanksgiving at Grandpa Stark’s Naperville house in 1901

September 26, 2025 at 12:44 p.m.

Were it not for the kids' attire and the old-fashioned decorations, this Thanksgiving photo could be modern and not from 1901.

Cyclists using the same paths or sidewalks as walkers need to communicate so they don't scare or hit a pedestrian when coming from behind. (Forest Preserve District of Will County)

Letters to the Editor: Bikers need to communicate with walkers when sharing path

September 26, 2025 at 12:09 p.m.

Letters to the editor submitted to the Naperville Sun.

Crews work to pull a vehicle out of Lake Osborne, behind the Naperville fire and police headquarters, after it was discovered during a Naperville Fire Department training exercise on Sept. 25, 2025. (Carolyn Stein/Naperville Sun)

Human remains, possibly those of missing Berwyn man, found in submerged car in Naperville

September 26, 2025 at 2:07 p.m.

Human remains have been found inside a vehicle discovered Thursday in Lake Osborne, just behind the Naperville police and fire department headquarters, officials said.

Apparently walking advertisements were a thing long before it ever dawned on someone to climb into hot dog costume to sell red hots. This undated cabinet photo of Mary "Mamie" Naper Webster shows her bodice and skirt adorned with musical instruments and advertisements to publicize S.M. Schaefle, a Naperville store that sold sewing machines and musical merchandise. (Naperville Heritage Society)

The Way We Were: If you want to sell musical instruments, why not try wearing them?

September 18, 2025 at 7:57 p.m.

An undated photo of Mary Naper Webster shows the young woman covered in musical instruments to advertise a Naperville business.

Letters to the Editor: Politics can’t be separated from celebration for Hispanics

September 18, 2025 at 6:52 p.m.

Letters to the editor submitted to the Naperville Sun.

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