Thanks for making time to listen to a few of my stories.
I have always been interested in American history but heading a children's charity and raising a family did not allow time. Upon retirement I spent several years re reading those history books that I had just read in school to pass the test. During these reads, I paid particular attention to record (for retelling) those interesting and informative stories my history teachers didn't have time to share.
I organized Santa Express Trains to the North Pole for 10 years during my tenure with the children's charity. This intensified my passion for trains which I had had from youth. Upon retirement, I continued feeding my train passion by riding most of Amtrak's trains, even serving as an Amtrak tour guide.
My train passion went through the roof when I learned Robert Todd Lincoln arguably set the record for riding the most miles on trains before age 25, and while Secretary of War he traveled by train to many military places out West, AND at age 55 replaced George Pullman as the CEO of nation's largest rail manufacturing company, the Pullman Palace Car Co. Robert serve as CEO for 11 years and then continue as chairman of the Board for another 14 years! He definitely became a railroad baron.
With this knowledge, I chose to become a Robert Todd Lincoln reenactor. I found only 2 books on Robert Todd Lincoln. Yet, these books contained valuable information and stories I found delight in sharing as his reenactor.
For information and stories about
Robert Todd Lincoln tap here Mary Todd Lincoln tap here
St. Charles “The Pride of the Fox”
John ‘Bet a Million’ Gates made a fortune in barbed wire, steel manufacturing, oil (Texaco), and stock market trading. Tap to read more about John Gates.
He married Dellora Baker of St. Charles.
Their fortune passed to Dellora’s brother Col. Edward Baker and their niece Dellora Angell who later married Lester Norris.
Thus. ‘DelNor’ graces many parks, etc. as well as the money behind the Baker Hotel, Baker Memorial Center, Baker Memorial Methodist Church, Potawatomi Park, DelNor Community Center, Delnor Hospital.and Arcada Theatre.
Upon his appointment as National Chairman of The Victory Garden Campaign during WWII, Lester Norris asked his friend Walt Disney to help publicize the effort. Disney drew Mickey with a hoe and a green thumb.
Former Piano Cable Factory in downtown is now residences.
A Jeopardy question in the 1990’s: “What midwestern town is the Pickle Capital of the World?” Answer: St. Charles, IL.
St Charles Business Alliance has an app for tours of historic places.
