The History of St. Charles is filled with the backstories of many memorable places, among them the Arcada Theatre, Hotel Baker, and Pottawatomie Park, as well as amazing stories about influential people. St. Charles played an important role in the Civil War, thanks in part to President Abraham Lincoln’s strong connection to this magnificent town. And let’s not forget that St. Charles is known as the Pickle Capital of the World! All of these important details contribute to a history that the people of St. Charles are proud to tell. 

The Arcada Theatre

The Arcada Theatre, built by Lester and Dellora Norris, was completed in 1926 with about 1,000 seats. Dellora Norris was Edward Baker’s niece and was an heir to a multi-million-dollar fortune. The Norris’s great wealth was the perfect way to express their artistic and architectural passions. The Arcada has hosted many famous people, among them Martin Short, Frank Sinatra Jr., and Frankie Avalon. On September 6th, 1926, the Arcada theatre and Mr. Norris showed the premier of “The Last Frontier” to a sold out crowd. In 2005, Onesti Entertainment Corporation gained ownership of the theatre. They spent thousands of dollars on repairs, repainting, upgrades to rest rooms, dress rooms, lighting and sound systems, and other stage facilities. There was another renovation in 2021, restoring some aspects to give the theatre more of its original looks. The Arcada Theatre is home to many good times with family, friends, and even strangers! This is a crucial piece of St. Charles because it shows what deep history Lester and Dellora Norris and everyone else in St. Charles helped create all those years ago and still today.

Hotel Baker

When Edward Baker built Hotel Baker in 1928 using the fortune he inherited from the Gates family, he brought many tourists to St. Charles with this brand-new attraction. Mr. Baker purchased the land in 1926 and later built his $600,000 hotel. Spending this much money was unheard of at this time! The hotel officially opened on June 2, 1928, with a grand celebration banquet greeting the 300 guests staying at the hotel. Hotel Baker was nicknamed “the honeymoon hotel,” and at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, it was proclaimed the best hotel to stay at in the area. Its construction boosted St. Charles’s economy.

Over the years, Hotel Baker has welcomed many famous guests, such as President John F. Kennedy, Jeanette MacDonald, and Judy Garland. Important performers like Louis Armstrong performed in the Rainbow Room. A long time ago, visitors would often arrive by plane, which cost $30 for a round trip, or by chauffeur and would be met at the hotel by Edward Baker himself. Edward Baker, similarly to the Norris’s, helped St. Charles grow into the strong and important town it is today.

Pottawatomie Park

Pottawatomie Park holds an important place in the history of St. Charles and its connection to the local Native American tribe.  It was named after the Pottawatomie tribe, who called themselves the Neshnabi. The land the park sits was once part of their hunting grounds. The Pottawatomie tribe spoke the Algonquian language.

In 1892, the historic and beautiful pavilion was built in the park. Along the Fox River stands a statue of a tribe member called Ēkwabet, which means “Watching Over.” It was created by Billy Daniels in 1988 and was officially named at the a ceremony in 1989. Ēkwabet is holding a ‘peace pipe’ in his right hand. This statue has lived and fulfilled its name by watching over many generations passing through St. Charles.             

John Farnsworth

St. Charles was home to one of Abraham Lincoln’s close friends, John Farnsworth. John Farnsworth was a Union general in the Civil War, a seven-term congressman, and an ardent abolitionist. He trained at Camp Kane, which is located near what is now Langum Park, and trained others here. He studied law at the University of Michigan and after the war had returned to law practice in 1880. Farnsworth was originally commissioned as a colonel in 1860 and was later moved up to a brigadier general in 1863. Not only was he a close ally of President Abraham Lincoln, he also nominated Lincoln to run for presidency in 1860 back when Lincoln was still a lawyer. John Farnsworth played a key role in shaping the history of St. Charles, helping connect the town to one of America’s most important presidents.           

President Abraham Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln had several connections to St. Charles over the years. His close friend, General Farnsworth, had lived in St. Charles and brought Lincoln to visit this amazing town occasionally. It was Lincoln who approved Camp Kane. The historic Barry House, built in 1844, is believed to have hosted Lincoln during a visit to Judge William D. Barry in the mid-1800s. After Lincoln’s death, Mary Todd Lincoln also spent time in St. Charles. She stayed anonymously at the Howard House with a spiritualist named Caroline Howard. It is quite amazing that one of the most distinguished presidents had such a personal connection to St. Charles.

St. Charles is a remarkable town with countless amazing stories to tell. Not only did one of the most important presidents visit here, but it is also proudly known as the Pickle Capital of the World. This town holds the legacy of extraordinary people like the Norris family, Edward Baker, John Farnsworth, and many more. Anyone would be proud and honored to know, and be part of,  the history of one of the greatest towns in the world: St. Charles, Illinois.