The purpose of the Society is the collection, interpretation, preservation, and presentation of information and objects concerning the history of Arlington Heights and its surrounding area. 

Inside this Edition

• A Note From The President

• Since The Fall Edition

• Society Host 11th Annual Team Trivia Night

• Museum Director's Report: In My New Era

• Then and Now: Remembering the Vial Lounge

• Get Involve with the Society!

• Mayors Of Arlington Heights

• Celebrating Women's History Month

• 2025 Farmes Market Update

• Volunteer Voice: John and Gloria Amling

• Upcoming Events and Programs

• A Deep Dive Into Our Archives: The Origins of Roads

• Reader's Survey

A Note From Our President

By Steve Froehlich

AHHS President

I wanted to introduce myself. I have just started as the president of the Arlington Heights Historical Society. I got involved as a board member less than a year ago when I was captivated by the passion and pride of long-time Arlington Heights residents telling their stories at the society’s open mic night. After that I knew I wanted to contribute.  

I’m excited to take on this new challenge as president. Annette and the whole organization have built a great foundation that I hope to expand on. The society has a ton of potential that I am excited to explore. At the same time I’ll work with the team to keep the existing relationships and programs running smoothly.   

A little bit about me, my background is in software engineering. I’ve spent many years working as a software engineer and running engineering teams for the Chicago board of trade (CME Group) and most recently Grainger. I also had a brief experience with entrepreneurship where I co-founded a company that provided cryptocurrency index products and ultimately sold it. In the beginning of my career I worked as a researcher in the mathematics and computer science division of Argonne National Laboratory. I’ve been a resident of the northwest suburbs for most of my life and a resident of Arlington Heights since 2018.  

I’m Looking forward to working together to improve our community. Feel free to reach out if you want to chat or have any questions. 

Best Regards, 

Steve Froehlich 

Society Host 11th Annual Team Trivia Night

By Peter Curtis

AHHS Board Member

It was Sunday evening, February 16th, when we hosted the 11th Trivia Night. 16 teams, comprised of residents, family member and out of towners enjoyed another very competitive night of fun and trivia.

As in years past, the participants were very generous in their support of the Society – whether buying answers, bribing the MC or purchasing raffle tickets, the Society benefited. We greatly appreciate everyone’s generosity.

The teams battled through nine rounds of questions, from a variety of topics, ranging from Art to World History. Here’s some questions that kept them entertained and guessing: How many times was Ross Geller divorced? And, which is taller, the White House or Buckingham Palace?

Congratulations and thank you to all that participated. This year’s winning teams were:

· 1st Place – Trivia Newton John

· 2nd Place – Fremont Historians

· 3rd Place – Six Peas

And a special Thank You to all of the volunteers that helped us accomplish one of our best fundraising nights. Whether you helped plan, write questions, buy food or worked that night in the many volunteer roles, thank you for all you do. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

If we missed you this year, please mark your calendar for February 2026, and we’ll see you on the Sunday after the Super Bowl.

Museum Director's Report: In my New Era

By Courtney Olson

Museum Director

This era of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum ushers in more progress and new possibilities! I share this era of newness as I am new to the position of Museum Director. I began at the museum in the spring of 2022 in the role of Museum Experience Facilitator where I engaged young historians in a variety of programming. I started my role of Museum Director just after Thanksgiving. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to lead such a dedicated and talented museum team!

We welcomed Assistant Curator Jon Gardner to our team this past November. Jon has been a Museum Experience Facilitator, and an intern working with the collection prior to his new role. We also welcome a new phase of preservation through our upcoming “Dunton Flag” project. Keep an eye out for updates in the coming months as one of the Historical Society’s first collection items is restored to its former glory (hint)!

In this upcoming season, we invite visitors, young and old, to learn more about the history of Arlington Heights through two exhibits this year. “What’s in a name?” will have an opening reception on April 4th. Please join us as we unveil new artifacts on display and tell stories of the people behind the names of our street signs and the village’s early history. We will also have family friendly programming surrounding the event! Mark your calendars for June 14th where we will host an afternoon reception in the spirit of games, fun, and celebrating community while we introduce “People, Parks, and Progress: 100 years of AHPD.”

This March, we will celebrate the history of Girl Scouts and their impact on education and service, and providing a place for women to grow. Spring break sampler camp is right around the corner, and spots are open! Campers will get a taste of our summer explorer camps at the museum with a variety of themes to engage every young learner.

The museum remains’ a place for people to gather, take part in unique experiences, and learn about the flavor of local history (including Arlington Club Beverages). I’m excited to be a small part of its history.

Then and Now: Remembering The Vail Lounge

By Maggie Sraga

AHHS Operations Manager

March 8, 2025 marks the 36 year anniversary of the Vail Lounge fire. The Vail Lounge, a cherished establishment in Arlington Heights, was tragically consumed by fire on March 8, 1988. This incident remains a significant event in the town's history, marking a day of profound loss for the community. The Vail Lounge, also referred by many as the Vail Tavern,  was located at 33 W. Campbell on the southeast corner of Campbell and Vail.

Get Involved With The Society!

JOIN OUR BOARD

The Arlington Heights Historical Society is an active board, fundraising to support the Museum and provide events, programs, and care of the collections.

We are looking for board members to join our team! Our board is broken into our Building and Grounds Committee, Collections Committee, Programing and Fundraising Committee, Membership Committee, and Farmers Market Committee.

Join us at our upcoming board meeting. Monthly meetings are held at 7pm on the third Thursday of every month at the Museum, 110 W. Fremont, Arlington Heights. Come see what we are all about! Board members do not need be Arlington Heights residents.

Upcoming Meetings: 

• Thursday, March 20, April 17, May 15, and June 19

BECOME A MEMBER

Members of the Arlington Heights Historical Society provide ongoing support in persevering and presenting the history of Arlington Heights. In addition, members enjoy many valuable benefits, such as:

• Free tour admission to our historical campus buildings and free four pack of Arlington Club Soda.

• Quarterly Member newspaper and up to date communications on Museum happenings.

• Discounts on purchases in the Museum Heritage Gallery gift shop and room rental fees for the Arlington Room.

• Reduced admission rates to family events, holiday celebrations, and historical programs.

• Invitations to special member events, receptions, and exhibit openings.

• Membership in Time Travelers program, includes discounts and benefits to over 300 museums nationwide.

VOLUNTEER WITH US

We are always looking for volunteers to help at our events, with our collections, or at the Farmers Market! Current volunteer opportunities include:

• Helping at Special Events



• Gift Shop Material Support

• Research and Writing for our Dunton Post

• Working With our Collections

• Becoming A Tour Guide

• Volunteering at the Farmers Market Starting May 10

And Many More!

Mayors of Arlington Heights

By Anna Stenzel

AHHM Volunteer

A Place to Advance and Assemble

In the 1880’s the people of the developing town sought a more unified structure designated for the needs of the growing acreage and population. On January 18, 1887 an election to determine incorporation. 126 to 34 resulted in the formal incorporation of Arlington Heights. As such, an election for village officials followed in April with the first trustees and clerk. No official president was elected at the time, so Guenther Schmidt was chosen as the first president, awaiting a formal election in 1888.

The first ordinances of this newly formed government sought to settle the decorousness throughout the town. These included appointing a Street Commissioner, Village Clerk, Constable, and Poundmaster, maintaining proper sidewalks and setting law standards regarding citizen behaviors. These newly established decrees set the tone for the growth and stability of the village

Our new government, though united, had inevitable minor modulations to practices. Voting was originally through individual ballots with a color specific to the slate at hand, this led to a public spectacle of voting lending itself to bribery as a practice. To discourage this, in 1891 Illinois adopted the Australian Ballot system where all candidates were on the same sheet. Another change came soon after in 1903 when terms went from one year to two years.

Arlington Heights Village Board, May 5, 1913 Left to right: Julius Flentie, William F. Meyer Sr., A. F. Volz ( mayor), George K. Volz, ,J. P. Hausam, Henry Horstman, Hugo Thal.

The Board met in Henry Luetge's former home, at the triangle of Vail Avenue and Wing Street, south of the railroad tracks. The house began as a store on South State Road (later Arlington Heights Road) in the early days of the village before the railroad. It was a long building when Mr. Luetge bought it and cut it into two parts. One part became this house. The structure was moved again in 1930 to 925 North Dunton and made into a residence once more. A new brick building was constructed in 1914 to house the Village Offices as well as the Police and Fire Departments.

Recent Mayoral Impacts

Arlington Heights mayors have a long tradition of being visionaries for the potential of this community and its residents.

Continuing on John G. Woods ideas of expansion for business, former mayor Arlene Mulder kept her eyes set on the development of downtown Arlington Heights, even receiving “Excellence in Planning” award in 1999 and 2008, and later the 2010 Chaddick “Municipal Development Award.” These accolades recognize the evolution of the village as a hub for arts and community gathering. Her impacts on community have always led from a place of knowing what a true neighborly community looks like.

Incumbent Mayor Tom Hayes continued mayor Mulder’s efforts as they spent 22 years on the board together prior to his inauguration. Mayor Hayes continued bringing improvements to the village with business expansion downtown, popular community events, and a consistent budget. These key accomplishments allowed for stability during COVID-19 pandemic which laid the groundwork for the growth of downtown thereafter, and the increasing emphasis on creating housing in Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights was even named as the “Best Place to Live” in the Daily Herald in 2022.

Mayor Hayes began his career with 22 years in active U.S. Army and the reserves, practiced as a trial attorney in toxic tort litigation, and served as a Village trustee from 1991-2013. Mayor Hayes began his first mayoral campaign with the intention of improving the economic state of the village which he held onto through the struggle of the pandemic.

The Arlington Heights Historical Society would like to thank Mayor Hayes for his continual support, involvement, and friendship to the Society over the years.

One thing rings true with each new mayor, the community of Arlington Heights is a community built by its residents and for all future citizens.



Early election voting will take place at Village hall March 17th- 31st and via resident precincts on election day, April 1st. For more information visit the Village website.

Celebrating Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month. March is a time to honor the incredible women who have shaped history, challenged boundaries, and paved the way for future generations. As we move through March, let us take time to reflect on the powerful legacies of women who have who have made Arlington Heights what it is today. Below are the stoires of just some of those women.

Happy International Women's Month from the Women of The Arlington Heights Historical Museum!

2025 Farmers Market Update

Mark your calendar! The Arlington Heights Farmers Market will be back on May 10, 2025. This year’s season will run May 10- October 11 from 8am- 12pm. The Farmers Market Committee has been working hard behind the scenes to bring you the best season yet. Make sure to follow our social media for important season updates and events. 

See everyone on opening day!

If you are interested in joining our committee, please email manager.ahfarmersmarket@gmail.com

2025 Sponsorship Opportunities

AHHS is partnering with local businesses for Farmers Market Sponsorships. The Market reaches:

• 60,000+ visits over a 23 week period,
• 6,005+ social media followers, and
• 2,200+ weekly newsletter recipients 

There are four levels ranging from $1,250 to $250 with varying degrees of benefits. We are currently looking for additional sponsors! For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please view our informational brochure below or email manager.ahfarmersmarket@gmai.com

Volunteer Voice

Featuring John and Gloria Amling

This winter edition features volunteer John and Gloria Amling. The Amlings are no strangers to the Arlington Heights Historical Society and Farmers Market.

Gloria got involved with the AHHS after working with John Frieburg Jr. at Harris Bank in the early 2000's. They both served 2 board terms from 2012-2018. Gloria was both vice president and president and John served a treasurer. Since then, they have both stayed involved on various committees and are instrumental to the success of the Society. In 2022, Gloria was awarded the Heart of Gold Award from the village for her dedication to growing the Arlington Heights Farmers market.

Short bio:

Both of us were born and raised in the Northwest Suburbs and have lived in Arlington Heights for 40 years after spending time in Utah, Minnesota and California. We owned two bicycle shops, one in Arlington Heights. John ran the stores while Gloria was a banker for 30 years, including managing the Arlington Hts branches for Harris/BMO (where she worked with John Frieburg, one of the founders of the Historical Society) and Village Bank.

Hobbies:

Our hobbies were cycling and volunteering. We have loved living and being involved in this community and meeting and becoming friends with other volunteers.

Prized possession:

1966 Mustang convertible

Personal heros:

First, we were both lucky to be born into loving families with parents who taught us by example the good feelings that come with being involved and caring for others - definite hero material!



Also, we are always in awe of the many people who overcome adversity to change things for the better.

The Arlington Heights historical figure you would like to have a conversation with if they were still alive:

Gloria-It always amazes me that Klehm Nursery had its start in in the 1850’s with John Klehm. I think he’d be interesting to talk to.

John-Would be interesting to find out how Frank White managed to not only move to Arlington Heights in the 1880's but also become so involved as the first African American resident

.

Future Ambitions:

Gloria-Learn to play electric guitar like Nancy Wilson of Heart.

John-Put more miles on my bike exploring the backroads around Lake Geneva.

Why should one volunteer at the Arlington Heights museum and historical society?

Besides helping to discover and preserve the history of Arlington Heights, you meet and get to know the best people – other volunteers! Providing an event every Saturday during the Farmers Market season for over 2000 visitors with great farmers and vendors, and showcasing the museum grounds to visitors is icing on the cake!!

Upcoming Events

Click below for a list of our upcoming events and programs!

Origins of Area Roads

By Margot Stimely, March 1993

This photo of Arlington Heights Road (previously called State Road) was taken on January 30, 1916, looking north from Sigwalt Street. Beginning in 1913, county roads were covered with gravel and crushed stone and graded higher for drainage. In 1916, Arlington Heights decided to start a four-year project to pave Arlington Heights, Central and Rand Roads.

Many of our major roads came into being when an early landowner laid out a trail from one settlement to another, clearing a path for his wagons or cattle. As the roads became more traveled, inns for the weary were established along the way at intervals of about one day’s distance. These trails followed lines of least resistance, skirting marshes, bogs, forests, deep-bedded streams, and hills too large to go over.

To get later Commissioners of Highways to build roads, twelve landowners with three miles of the proposed road had to sign a petition. The road was usually named for the first man to propose it, or for the family owning the land through which it ran such as Rohlwing, Tonne, Landmeier, Wilke, Busse, Cosman, Biesterfield, Kirchhof, and Higgins.

All able-bodied men, excepting “paupers, idiots, lunatics and such others exempt by law” paid a poll tax of $2.00, or had to work out the tax in actual labor.

Arlington Heights Road began as a wagon track across land taken up in 1834 by Joseph A. Barnes. Previously it was an Indian trail which detoured around a heavily wooded area, a swamp, a small lake and marshy places. It still follows these bends. The State legislature had authorized the road from Naper Settlement via Babcock’s Grove, Meachams’ Grove, Elk Grove and Buffalo Grove to Indian Creek (Half Day) in 1830. It was extended northward to Dunton village before 1846, when the railroad right-of-way was surveyed. It wasn’t until 1888 that the surface was graveled.

Rand Road was laid out in 1836 following an old military trail from Chicago to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, crossing the property of Socrates Rand at the Des Plaines River. It was first paved in 1918.

Milwaukee Road was an Indian trail known by Joliet and Marquette. It became a major stage route between Chicago and Milwaukee, and on up to Green Bay. An 1830 map shows the “Milwalky Trace”. It was first surveyed in 1835 as a post route under the War Department. Historical records show the first Wheeling Township settlers located along this mail route. It was later paved with wooden planks and became one of the state’s first toll roads. By 1849 it boasted ten miles of planking, to “Oak Ride”. By 1851 it extended as far as “Dutchman’s Point” – now Niles. Tolls charged were thirty-seven and one half cents for a four horse hitch – twenty-five cents for a two horse team. The intersection of Touhy and Milwaukee was known as Planck’s Point. Hickory Grove was just south of where the road crossed the Des Plaines River, once a portage between the Des Plaines and the Chicago rivers.

Army Trail Road, running from Lake Street in Addison through DuPage and Kane counties was also originally an Indian trail. Army regulars under General Winfield Scott widened the trail in

1832 to allow 50 heavy, broad-tired wagons to pass to Wisconsin to fight Chief Blackhawk and his warriors.

Northwest Highway was first discussed on December 20, 1918, when representatives from Arlington Heights, Palatine, Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Barrington and Des Plaines met to consider a plan to connect all these communities. At that time there was no road between Des Plaines and Arlington Heights. To go from one to the other one had to use Rand Road to Foundry or Euclid and then go west into Arlington Heights. The Northwest Highway Improvement Association was organized in January, 1919 when Mr. William Edens (for whom the Edens expressway was named), then Vice-President of the Citizens National Bank was elected President, with Mr. Al Volz, secretary.

The road ran parallel to the railroad, and Mors Parkway through Arlington Heights. Construction was held up by citizens protesting the destruction of the large, fine Elms along the Parkway, but it was finally completed in 1924. It became part of Illinois Route 46, later changed to Route 14.



In 1928, the road was straightened east of State Road and widened to the west, taking almost all of Mors Parkway. In 1986 the highway was again widened and some of the curves straightened. It was at this time that the space between the tracks and the roadway was landscaped, with a clock tower and many trees near the Arlington train station, partially restoring the original Railway Parks.

We Want To Hear From You!