The Story of ST. Charles
Part I: A Country Town (1833-1880)
This five part video history of St. Charles was provided through the generous assistance of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley and their supporters.
Part I: A Country Town describes the early years of St. Charles, including its original settlers, the impact of the Civil War upon the town and the growth of the city after the war. Viewers will learn about the histories of many early St. Charles residents, the importance of the abolitionist movement and the role the churches played in the formation of this frontier town.
The Story of ST. Charles
Part II: Building A City (1880-1950)
This five part video history of St. Charles was provided through the generous assistance of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley and their supporters.
Part II: Building A City takes the viewer through an important period of growth and expansion for St. Charles. Momentous events, like financial crises, world wars, the Great Depression, and changes in the community’s demographics tested the spirit and will of the residents of St. Charles. Interesting details include information on the railroads, as well as the elected government of St. Charles.
The Story of ST. Charles
Part III: The Gates - Baker - NORRIS Era (1926 - 1980)
This five part video history of St. Charles was provided through the generous assistance of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley and their supporters.
Part III: The Gates-Baker-Norris Era covers three important philanthropic familes who lived in St. Charles, Illinois. It is an understatement to say that St. Charles as it appears today would not exist without the efforts of these great families–John W. and Dellora Baker Gates, Dellora and Lester Norris, and Col. Edward Baker. Their generosity provided the seed money for many community and commercial projects in St. Charles in the early to middle of the 20th century.
This five part video history of St. Charles was provided through the generous assistance of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley and their supporters.
Part IV: Education documents the special importance that education played in not only the schooling of the children of St. Charles, but also the political reality of a town that often felt split by the river that was so instrumental to its founding. Many early educators are profiled, and the origin of the names for modern schools is revealed.
The Story of ST. Charles
Part IV: Education (1835 - 2003)
This five part video history of St. Charles was provided through the generous assistance of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley and their supporters.
Part V: Leisure, Recreation and Parks traces the evolution of the meaning of leisure for settlers who helped found St. Charles through to the current day. Modern residents of St. Charles are the beneficiaries of a dynamic and vibrant Park District, City Parks, and plenty of entertainment options within the city.
The Story of ST. Charles
Part V: Leisure, Recreation and Parks (1834 - 2017)
For more information about the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, including how to purchase copies of this presentation on DVD, please contact The Community Foundation of Fox River Valley - https://www.communityfoundationfrv.org/
The Curious Fox Gift Shop at the St. Charles History Museum also has this presentation available for purchase on DVD.
