🏥 Local history: When did Delnor Hospital first open its doors?

On Thanksgiving day 84 years ago, the facility that would eventually become Delnor Hospital received its first patients. If interested, you can read the original St. Charles Chronicle article in all its old-school glory.

Only 21% of respondents correctly identified the correct opening date of November 21, 1940 in Monday’s poll question — most folks (31%) guessed December 1, 1937.

The winding path to Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital

One could argue that today’s Delnor actually began its history in 1908 as Colonial Hospital when when Dr. Raymond Scott originally founded it on Third Street in Geneva.

By 1925, the facility had outgrown its building (in which Scott and his wife also lived), requiring patients to be moved to the newly opened Community Hospital on Second Street — what is now the present-day Dodson Place.

Delnor Hospital opened in 1940 with 25 beds on Fifth Avenue in St. Charles, taking its name from its biggest supporters, Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris. They weren’t just generous donors — they also left a lasting mark on the city’s cultural scene (where do you think the Norris Cultural Arts Center got its name?).

Some long-time residents can remember its early days well.

“Growing up, it truly was a community hospital. When a neighbor had a baby, my mom would drive me over and we’d look in the viewing window to see the new babies,” one reader recalled. “You saw the doctors around town and would have a chat. The interiors were designed by Dorothy Draper, a rather famous New York designer, a friend of Dellora. It felt comforting and safe in a way.”

Delnor Hospital and Community Hospital merged in 1986 (page 5 of this old newspaper) to form Delnor-Community Hospital. The current Randall Road campus opened in 1991.

Check out some video footage of the original hospital construction courtesy of the St. Charles History Museum.

Here’s a timeline featuring dates of other key hospital milestones.

📰 News to use

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☑️ Tax relief: You don’t see this type of headline very often — Geneva is preparing to cut its property tax rate to a record low in 2025 (if approved by City Council).

☑️ Tear-down coming? Batavia’s Historic Preservation Commission discussed a demolition request for the Tin Shop on N. River Street in Batavia, tentatively scheduling a decision for the 12/9 meeting. Learn more about the property and the request.

☑️ The race is on: The City of St. Charles announced the list of candidates who will be included on the ballot for the 2025 Consolidated Election in April.

🔒 Latest chapter: Geneva has imposed a $27K fine on Shodeen Group LLC — the owner of the historic former blacksmith shop on State Street — for failing to comply with weatherproofing requirements. The owner is appealing in court.

☑️ Holiday parking: Batavia’s ban on overnight residential street parking has been lifted for Thanksgiving weekend through Saturday night (11/30) — but goes back into effect if snowfall exceeds two inches.

☑️ Whooping cough: The respiratory illness has seen a significant resurgence in Kane County after several mild years, with 92 cases reported so far in 2024.

🏘️ In the community

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☑️ North stars: St. Charles North High School will honor its inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame class of five student-athletes and two coaches during a special ceremony on January. See who will get recognized.

☑️ Well-oiled machine: You may take the salt and snow removal trucks for granted, but KDOT put in a lot of preparation, coordination and new technology implementation to get ready for winter — including a massive stockpile of 15K tons of salt.

🔒 Hoops on deck: The Kane County Chronicle previewed the 2024-2025 high school boys basketball season. Geneva will be seeking its 21st consecutive season with a winning record.

☑️ Critter Camp: Whether your grade-school kid already loves the outdoors or you’re trying to instill an enthusiasm for nature, the Campton Township Winter Critter Camp promises fun activities and animals over the holiday period.

☑️ Top workplaces: You can now vote for your favorite local businesses in the Kane County Top Workplaces Readers Choice Awards, which recognize organizations that support and value their employees and their communities.

☑️ Adopt A Bag: Beginning Friday (11/29), Chip In Batavia is looking for generous folks to donate bags of household essentials for those in need. Get the details here.

✳️ Pajama Drive: Give a foster child the gift of coziness by donating new pajamas for infants, children and teens (all sizes). Drop donations at Alphagraphics St. Charles or call 630-513-7711 to arrange pickup. Donations will be given to CASA Kane County. Deadline is 12/2.

🎸 Live music

Not only are Christmas-themed performances starting to pop up all over the place, but this weekend features several classic tribute shows as well.

Other than that, it’s a pretty standard live music weekend with plenty of shows across the Tri-Cities.

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🥾 Put your shopping shoes on!

The Little Traveler is thrilled to celebrate Small Business Saturday — but why stop there? They’ll have tons of incredible specials available in-store only throughout the entire weekend, from $20 off Christopher Radko ornaments and up to 50% off Vera Bradley items to exclusive deals on jewelry, unique toys and much more.

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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☑️ Holiday Shop Crawl | Sat 11/30, All Day | Downtown STC | Take advantage of special offers and raffles at downtown small businesses.

☑️ Holiday Kickoff Party | Sat 11/30, 11:30AM-1PM | Arcada Theatre, STC | Free family fun with a balloon artist, face painter, dancing and more.

🎟️ Santa at State & Society | Sat 11/30, 11:30AM-1PM | State & Society, Geneva | Photos plus holiday treats and a hot chocolate bar.

🎟️ Comedy All Stars | Sat 11/30, 7-8:30PM | Moonlight Theatre, STC | One night. Five comics. Non-stop laughter.

☑️ Hometown Holidays Exhibit | Sun 12/1 - Sun 12/15 | Batavia Depot Museum | Learn how Batavia's holiday traditions unite a community across generations.

🎟️ Breakfast with Santa | Sun 12/1, 8-11AM | Lions Park, Elburn | A festive, family-friendly breakfast with St. Nick himself.

🎟️ Pancake Breakfast w/ Santa | Sun 12/1, 8-12PM | Batavia Masonic Lodge | Another holiday breakfast benefitting a good cause.

☑️ Elf-ed Up Holiday Market | Sun 12/1, 12-5PM | Pollyanna Brewing, STC | Get your holiday shopping on with 13 local vendors, a food truck and bevs.

☑️ Visit with Santa | Sun 12/1, 1-4PM | Winding Deerpath, Geneva | Free photo ops with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

☑️ Celebration of Lights Festival | Sun 12/1, 5-7PM | Downtown Batavia | Get festive with a tree lighting, Santa, holiday lights, hayrides and much more.

🎟️ Elf Ride 2024 | Sat 12/7, 5-9PM | Mill Race Cyclery, Geneva | Enjoy a festive bike ride, then kick back for some food and fun.

🌖 Weather snapshot

⛅️ Today: High 33F | Low 22F | Breezy clouds

⛅️ Friday: High 26F | Low 14F | Chill arrives

☀️ Saturday: High 26F | Low 15F | Sunnily freezing

☀️ Sunday: High 28F | Low 16F | Biting gusts

📖 Thanks for reading

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