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Civil War Days

Monday, May 23, 2011

Civil War Days Provides a Blast

Weekend crowds gather to watch battle re-enactment.

The attack came without notice. Hundreds of people sat around the village green at the Naper Settlement waiting for the start of a Civil War re-enactment Sunday afternoon. As they listened to an announcer, the Confederate army began its attack. For more than 30 minutes the two sides exchanged gun and cannon fire. Chris Lesueur, of Chicago, said he came to see the battle because it sounded fun. He had a prime location to watch the fight, as he stood near some of the Union cannons. “This is louder than I thought it was going to be,” Lesueur said of the cannon fire. “That one I felt.” Eddie Gershman, 45, of Chicago brought his 6-year-old son, Alex, to the event. Both were attending their first Civil War re-enactment. Gershman said he found …

Ben Gross

5:27 pm on Monday, May 23, 2011

Local photographer Hunter Byington spent some time visiting Civil War Days with his camera. Check out his additional photos of the event at http://gallery.me.com/willbyington#101335   more ›

Saturday, May 21, 2011

FIve Things You Need to Know Today

May 21: Pay-By-Phone Parking; Blogger Worth Knowing

Five things ever Naperville local should know.

Naperville Teacher's Union Files Unfair Labor Complaint Against District 203 5 Face Prostitution-Related Charges Mug Shot Monday Waubonsie Valley High School Students Arrive in Style Police Blotter: Attempted Robbery; ‘MacGyver Type’ Explosive A new program at the city of Naperville will allow commuters to pay-by-phone to park in pay-to-park spots at the Naperville and Route 59 train stations. Today and tomorrow Civil War re-enactors will be encamped at the Naper Settlement for Civil War Days. They will be living and fighting like the real soldiers did during the war between the states. The Waubonsie Valley girl’s soccer team ousted Bolinbrook earlier in the week. The defending state champs showed just why they earned that title. Cristine …

Friday, May 20, 2011

FIve Things You Need to Know Today

May 20: Eatery, Paddleboats, Thrift Store Open

Five things every Naperville resident should know.

The Naperville Park District announced that the Riverwalk Eatery and the paddleboats are opening this weekend. The park district has taken over operation of the eatery and a variety of menu items will be available including: sandwiches and salads, nachos, popcorn, chips and salsa, soft pretzels, ice cream, polar ice and shaved ice treats, Cold Stone cupcakes, fruit, and candy. A variety of drinks are also available, including fountain drinks, bottled water, Gatorade, juice, and coffee. The menu will be more limited until Centennial Beach opens, according to the park district. For now the eatery and paddleboats will only be open on the weekends through Memorial Day, according to the Naperville Park District. The weekend hours are 11 a.m. to…

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Community Heritage Month Celebrates Naperville’s Past

Events throughout May spotlight community's rich history.

Joseph Naper knew a good thing when he saw it. As a surveyor for Cook County, he first came to the area in 1829 tosurvey the land for claims staked under the Preemption Act. What he found was an area with beautiful timber to the north and great prairies and fertile soil to the south. The land also was adjacent to the West Branch of the DuPage River, which could provide a source of power for a saw mill, and later grist mill. “It was perfect geography,” said Bryan Ogg, curator of research at Naper Settlement. “He thought the combination of those things were excellent for building a town.” In summer 1831, he gathered his brother and 13 other families and set sail from Ashtabula, Ohio, to Fort Dearborn aboard The Telegraph—the last ship he …

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