Andrea Field

Clyde C. Netzley's Chrysler dealership truck is parked in front of Netzley’s garage at Chicago Avenue and Washington Street in downtown Naperville in 1920s. (Naper Settlement)

The Way We Were: If you lived in Naperville between 1921 and 1981, you knew Netzley’s car dealership

February 15, 2024 at 10:23 a.m.

Every week we publish a historic photo highlighting a story from Naperville’s past from the history archives of Naper Settlement. By Steve Metsch and Andrea Field The roots of the...

This is a cabinet card showing the Nichols Library before Washington Street was paved during World War I. Cabinet cards were a thin photographic image mounted on card stock paper. This one is from the Kendig Studio, located on Jefferson Avenue. Christian Kendig, a photographer during the Civil War, and his son, A.C. Kendig, took many photographs of early Naperville. (Naper Settlement)
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The Way We Were: You can thank a German immigrant for the start of the Naperville Public Library

February 8, 2024 at 6:45 p.m.

The Naperville Public Library has a rich history helped in large part by the generosity of James L. Nichols. Nichols, who was born in Germany in 1851, spoke his native...

This is how Naper Academy looked in 1923. The school opened its doors to students in 1853 but was demolished in 1928 to make room for Naper School.

The Way We Were: One of Naperville’s oldest schools — Naper Academy — shows just how far education has come

February 2, 2024 at 11:33 a.m.

One of the Naperville area's first school buildings, Naper Academy, was a multipurpose structure that not only started out as a place to educate students, but also to provide space...

In this photo from the 1890s, Jacob Haim, Jim Stoner and a third man work in the Heim and Stoner Blacksmith Shop in Naperville.

The Way We Were: How important were blacksmiths back in the day? Naperville once had 10 shops in a town of just 2,000 people

January 27, 2024 at 2:38 a.m.

Every week we publish a historic photo highlighting a story from Naperville's past from the history archives of Naper Settlement. Blacksmiths were critical to town life in the 19th century,...

Eli Stark, left, opened Naperville's first bicycle repair shop in 1899 at 34 W. Jefferson Ave., where Naperville Running Company is now located. He worked there with his brother, Mahlon Stark, right.

The Way We Were: Credit bicycles with launching one of Naperville’s more successful 20th century businessmen

January 19, 2024 at 10:04 p.m.

Every week we publish a historic photo highlighting a story from Naperville's past from the history archives of Naper Settlement. Eli Stark, one of the more successful businessmen in Naperville...

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad played a huge role in the early growth of Naperville. Municipal leaders who regretted turning down a request to build a railroad line through town in 1851 warmly welcomed the CB&Q line in 1864.

The Way We Were: Decision to reject railroad line in favor of ‘plank’ road had big impact on Naperville’s history

January 12, 2024 at 9:09 p.m.

Every week we publish a historic photo highlighting a story from Naperville's past from the history archives of Naper Settlement. Were it not for a bad decision on the part...

This is one of the horse-drawn wagons used to transport clay, tiles and brick for the Martin & von Oven Tile and Brick Works in Naperville. Perry Ostheimer is the driver is this photo and Robert Worthel sits atop the tiles. They are on Main Street at the old stone bridge.

The Way We Were: Great Chicago Fire a lucky break for fledgling tile/brick company in Naperville founded in 1871

January 5, 2024 at 3:10 p.m.

Every week we publish a historic photo highlighting a story from Naperville's past from the history archives of Naper Settlement. One of city's first successful businesses was Naperville Tile &...

Walter Givler sets type for the Naperville Clarion, which was owned by his father, David Givler. This photo is believed to be from the late 1890s or early 1900s.

The Way We Were: Newspapers had a long bumpy road until finding an audience under longtime owners David Givler and Harold White

December 29, 2023 at 12:43 a.m.

Every week we publish a historic photo highlighting a story from Naperville's past from the history archives of Naper Settlement. The Naperville Sun you're reading today is just one in...

If you were a young girl in the early 1900s, these are some of the gifts you might have received for Christmas. Among the items seen here are porcelain dolls and a tea set.

The Way We Were: Christmas traditions we hold dear didn’t actually come into vogue until the mid- to late-1800s

December 22, 2023 at 6:46 p.m.

Every week we publish a historic photo highlighting a story from Naperville's past from the history archives of Naper Settlement. With today being Christmas Eve and a certain jolly old...

This photograph taken on Feb. 7, 1940, shows the early start of construction of the Naperville post office at the corner of Benton Avenue and Washington Street, where it remains today.

The Way We Were: The long and storied history of Naperville mail delivery starts at the Pre-Emption House

December 15, 2023 at 7:02 p.m.

Every week we publish a historic photo highlighting a story from Naperville's past from the history archives of Naper Settlement. With the holidays upon us, many people are making trips...

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