This town was a small German farming/ railroad town and was settled in 1833. The railroad was built in 1859 and the town was started at that time.. The town built a church in 1873 St. John's Evangelical Church. The towns firstname was Farwell Illinois. Submitted by: Joseph Johnson

At least one of the "business" districts of Orchard Place comprised a small enclave of businesses one block north and east of the intersection of Mannheim and Higgens.  Interstate 90 went through in 1957 and displaced the community.  I believe this was, in part, the reason for Des Plaines incorporating the Village the year prior

I grew up in the house at 2848 Curtiss Street...one of the three residences listed on the website.  These three houses have an interesting history.  Ours was moved twice and the other two were removed once.  My father, John Phillip Duntemann, dug out and poured the foundations of all three houses where they currently stand.  he also moved the sructures.

2856 Curtiss  The house is the northmost of the three is currently a residence, but it was originally FW Duntemann general store.  Built in 1891, the store served as the the local dry goods store and Post office.  It originally had a squared off "false front".  The structure was originaly located within the business district listed above. I'll post a great early photo of it.  Most of the shelves, bins and PO equipment still exists.

2848 Curtiss  Our old house was built in the early 1910's and was originally located on the northeast corner of what is currently the airport.  Dad moved it to the business district right after the war because of airport expansion.  He moved it again in the late 50's to accomodate the expressway.

3000 Curtiss  My grandparents, Elvin Duntemann and Ila Byrne Duntemann, had this house built in 1921 in the business district.  My father was born in the house.  dad moved the house in the late 1950's to accomodate the expressway.

FW, Elvin and my Dad operated a coal delivery business from the 1890's to 1961.  The business was located in the business district.  The original building was torn down because of the expressway.  The replacement building was built just to the south of the expressway (behind and north of the McDonalds on Mannheim).  The replacment building was torn down with a number of abandoned houses as a generl clearing operation for furure development.

One additional residence that still stands is at the south end of Curtiss Street across from the Buckhorn trailer park.  It belonged to my great Uncle Jack Byrne and great aunt Helen.  The house sat on an acre, half of which was taken to allow for the expressway.  The house was moved to the north a dozen or two feet.

One honorable mention is Stellmans, which was pretty beat up at the end of the 50's and was demolished to accomodate the expressway.  Stellmans was a bar with a dance hall on the second floor.  It had a stable and blacksmith shop.  I have a dresser and beer mugs from the bar I still use.  Dad refurbished the dresser.  It's a beautiful empire piece. Mark Duntemann

Orchard Place
Courtesy Joe Johnson

Orchard Place
Courtesy Joe Johnson

Orchard Place
Courtesy Joe Johnson

Orchard Place
Courtesy Joe Johnson

Orchard Place
Courtesy Joe Johnson

Orchard Place
Courtesy Joe Johnson

Orchard Place
Courtesy Joe Johnson