www.FranzosenbuschHeritageProject.org                     Home

Heidorn Homestead

The "old" Heidorn homestead was located along Wolf Road north of Cermak (22^nd Street).  The home was on the east side of Wolf Road.  We recently received from Alvin Heidorn (now of Minnesota) additional material including a few photographs.  He wrote,

"Here is a copy of a slightly wrinkled photo of the Original  Heidorn Homestead before the remodeling that changed the configuration of the house.  I believe that that remodeling took place in about 1925 or so. The entire inside of the house was changed and electricity and indoor plumbing etc was
installed at that time.

"I do not know who the people are in the picture for sure but I it appears that it was Henry Heidorn and his family. The number, ages and gender of the children appear to "match-up". If that assumption is correct then the picture was probably taken sometime in 1895. The baby appears to have a Baptismal dress on. Baby Henry who died in 1897 was born in early summer of 1895, the ages of the other children appear to match-up with that date.

"Walter the youngest was born in February of 1897. Baptisms in those days usually took place soon after the birth. The picture does not appear to
have taken in winter or early spring.

"Additionally Sophie died shortly after the birth of Walter. Sophie appears in 'good shape' in this photo."

Over the years it grew and was a scenic place to live.  A painting of the main house and surrounding area was created in the early 1930s.  Within month a powerful tornado struck the area.  Many trees in the area were blown down including the ones in this painting.  In the painting we are looking north with narrow Wolf Road on the left of the picture.  The driveway heads east into the homestead.

The area portrayed in the painting was at 1917 South Wolf Road.

Thank you's and credits:

• The oil painting was sent to us by Alvin Heidorn of Minnesota.  His father was Edward Heidorn.  We appreciate Mr. Heidorn informing us of the painting and providing the image to the Society.
• "Progress, Pride, Growth, 1905 - 1980, 75^th Anniversary --Village of Hillside", C.1981 published by Village of Hillside, Hillside, IL, by Ruth Lommatzsch and Ann Hoogstra

Last Modified:  05/30/2006