Historical Western Springs
How Western Springs Illuminated its Downtown
Nighttime shopping in downtown Western Springs used to be a major challenge, until the business owners decided to install new street lights.
While electricity officially arrived in Western Springs in 1898, street lighting was extremely limited. This was due to its high cost of installation, as well as the village’s relatively small population (just 1,258 in 1920). As a result, nighttime shopping in the downtown area was dark and uninviting. By 1926, the downtown business owners decided that retail sales would increase if new lighting was installed. Based on documents in the Western Springs Historical Society archives, a new lighting system was being installed in LaGrange at that time. This, no doubt, gave impetus to the project. In September of 1926, the Business Men’s Association submitted a proposal to the Village whereby the Association would underwrite the cost of …
Linda Karaffa
8:24 am on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Just moved to Western Springs, and am amazed at the LACK of lighting. Along the railroad tracks,approaching uptown, very lite. Side streets and Wolf Road? I think the town depends on the houses giving off enough light to people walking. Two falls and a set of X-rays have me wondering what is going on. more ›