FAQs • Explore Elmhurst, IL • CivicEngage

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Ask the Historian - Elmhurst People

1. I am a huge fan of Fred Lorenzen. Lorenzen is a Scandinavian name. Does anybody know if Fred Lorenzen’s family came from Norway or Denmark? (sent from Norway): According to the 1930 federal census records, Fred Lorenzen’s paternal grandparents (his father’s parents), were born in Denmark. The museum presented a major exhibit on Elmhurst resident Lorenzen and his impressive acing career in 2012. Lorenzen (pictured left) was a winner of the Daytona 500 and was one of the first northerners to become a professional NASCAR driver. "Fearless Freddie" achieved a lifelong dream in 2015 when he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. To learn more about Lorenzen, check out the biographical feature in our "By All Accounts: The Story of Elmhurst" exhibit in the museum's second floor gallery.

2. For whom is Fellows Court Named?: Following World War II, there was a severe housing shortage for soldiers returning from the War. Most of the housing stock in Elmhurst was single-family homes. William Fellows was an Elmhurst alderman 1934-1945 and Elmhurst Mayor 1945-1948. He was instrumental in getting the St. Charles West Apartments and co-ops built. Under William Fellows' leadership, the City of Elmhurst re-zoned a 21-acre site at St. Charles Road and West Avenue and worked with the FHA and a private developer to build the multi-family complex. A municipal committee reviewed applications, giving preference to veterans and teachers. Mayor Fellows died while in office in January 1948. When the road through the housing development opened in August 1948 there was a brief ceremony to dedicate the street as Fellows Court in memory of Mayor William Fellows.

3. What can you tell me about Elmhurst resident and magic teacher Harlan Tarbell?: Harlan Tarbell was born on February 23, 1890 in Delavan, Illinois and grew up in nearby Groveland. In World War I, Tarbell served as a medic with the 24th Air Company in France. He married Martha Beck in 1920, and they lived at 401 Cottage Hill Avenue in Elmhurst with their children (Harlan Tarbell, Jr. and Marion) until Tarbell’s death in 1960. Tarbell became interested in magic at a young age, and often performed magic shows for family members and friends. He eventually became an internationally acclaimed magician who performed for audiences around the world. Tarbell originated over 200 mysteries, including one of the Hindu rope mysteries. Tarbell’s specialty was Eyeless Vision, also known as Radar Vision, which established him as a successful mentalist. Using Eyeless Vision, he once drove an automobile through the Loop during Chicago rush hour completely blindfolded. Tarbell is known for his multi-lesson correspondence course for magicians, which is still used today by many professional magicians. He was featured prominently in the EHM's 2009 exhibit, "The Magical History Tour."