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W. W. Embree Collection

Waite W. Embree and his father, Elmer E. Embree, preserved most of the historical materials generated by the family’s business and social activities, which the Regional History Center acquired in 1967. Waite, especially, was an avid collector of materials related to the history of DeKalb and the history of railroading. In the absence of an active county historical society, Waite Embree filled a void in DeKalb County with his keen interest in the preservation of the county’s past for many decades. Waite’s interests and foresight makes the Embree Collection one of the most unique in the Center with regard to the documentation of DeKalb and the local area through photographs and postcards. The collection is also particularly strong in the evolution of railroads during the first half of the twentieth century, with focus on those that operated in the Northern Illinois region.

Researchers should note that much of Embree’s postcard collection have been added to the Center’s postcard collection (RC 199), while his war poster collection has been added to the Oversize Collection (RC 200).

For more information about this collection, please see the Center's finding aid or contact

NISTC Golden Anniversary Parade, DeKalb Fire Truck
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title N.I.S.T.C. Homecoming Parade - 50th; Place Lincoln Highway [DeKalb, Ill]; Date Oct 9, 1948; Note: DeKalb Com. Fire Truck, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Equipment, People, Place, Lincoln Highway, Economic Development, Entertainment
DeKalb Sycamore Traction Co., DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Interurban; Title DeKalb Sycamore Traction Co, Open Car #67; Place Electric Park near DeKalb, IL; Date Aug. 4, 1904; Conductor on trailor: Mr. P. Swanson; Ritzman Copy; Neg. No. 2249, DeKalb, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, Maple Park, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Maple Park, Railroads, C&NW Maple Park,Il; Aug 12, 1956; Neg. No. 1272, Kane, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, DeKalb, Illinois Kishwaukee Bridge
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Photo No. 1-387; Engine No. 901; Class A; Type 4-4-0; Road Chicago & Northwestern Ry; Place DeKalb, Ill. Kishwaukee [River] Bridge; Train No. 5 Colorado Express; Time 11:45 AM; Date 1898; Remarks Photo by E.H. Wagner; Neg. No. 2233, DeKalb, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Northern Illinois State Normal School from Southwest
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Northern Illinois State Normal School; Place DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date 1899; J.O. Olsen photo, DeKalb, Educational, Place, Education
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, CMStP&P [Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific] Viaduct over Lincoln Highway, DeKalb [Illinois]; 1934, DeKalb, Place, Lincoln Highway, Economic Development
East Lincoln Highway from Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Looking east from 4th St, Lincoln Highway; Place DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date June 19, 1949, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Lincoln Highway, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, McHenry, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, McHenry, Railroads, Engine No. 1391; Type 4-6-0; Class R1; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry; Place McHenry, Illinois; Date March 1908; Photo No. W9x; Photo by Ritzman, McHenry, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Chicago, Milwaukee and Gary Depot, Kirkland, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Kirkland, Railroads, CM&G Depot, Kirkland [Illinois]; 1925, DeKalb, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, Caledonia, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Caledonia, Railroads, Engine No. 55; Type 4-4-0; Class C3; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry; Place Caledonia, Illinois; Train DeKalb (?); Date Approx 1895; Photo No. 1-385x; Photo by: Copy by F.R. Ritzman; Neg. No. 2448, Boone, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Morris Stores, in Hotel DeKalb Building
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Morris Stores [Formerly the Glidden House Hotel, in Hotel DeKalb Bldg.]; Place [NE corner] 2nd & Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date July 11, 1936, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Lincoln Highway, Second Street, Economic Development
DeKalb Fire Department, First Truck
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title DeKalb Fire Dept., Station #1, DeKalb's First Fire Truck - The Webb; Place Fire Station, No 4th [Street] DeKalb; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date Fall 1912/Spring 1913; Standing L.L. Smith, Otto Olson, Jake Price, Robt. Murphy [Peterson?], Dr. S.L. Anderson, [R. Butler]; Seated: At the wheel Wm Wall, Mike McEvoy. (Peterson & Butler identified in identical photo, folder 1-F-1c], DeKalb, Equipment, People, Place, Fourth Street, Economic Development
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, Serena, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Serena, Railroads, CBQ [Chicago, Burlington & Qunicy] Station; Serena [Illinois]; Neg. No. 2515, LaSalle, Place, Economic Development
Chicago, Aurora and DeKalb, DeKalb, Illinois East Main Street
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Interurban; Engine No. 7; Road Chicago, Aurora & DeKalb; Place DeKalb, East Main Street [Note: White Rose Laundry at 623 E Main, and Swedish Bakery, 607 E Main]; Date Fall 1906; Neg. No. 2452; (Rolfe Ritz); Meizo original, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Equipment, Place, Main Street, Economic Development
Illinois Central Railroad, La Salle Peru, Illinois Enginehouse
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Peru, Railroads, Enginehouse; Road Illinois Central; Place LaSalle-Peru, IL; Looking South; Date July 5, 1952; Neg. No. 2607, LaSalle, Place, Economic Development
DeKalb City Hall
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title City Hall; Place South Second street, DeKalb, Illinois; County DeKalb; Date July 1937; Remarks Note the brick walk before the street was repaved., DeKalb, Government, Place, Second Street, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, Earlville, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Earlville, Railroads, CNW and CBQ [Chicago, Burlington & Quincy]; Earlville, Illinois [looking] East; 8/16/49, LaSalle, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, Creston, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Creston, Railroads, Station, Creston, Illinois;Now not used. Operator transfered to crossing shanty; CNW; [Original taken] 8/22/37; [copy print] 7-9-60, Ogle, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Northern Illinois State Normal School under Construction,
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Northern Illinois State Normal School building under construction, ca. 1899. In October 1963 the buildding was renamed Altgeld Hall. Print made from a glass plate negative, DeKalb, Educational, Place, Education
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Kings, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Kings, Railroads, CB&Q Station, Kings, IL; Apr 14, 1950; Neg. No. 1495, Ogle, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
West Lincoln Highway from First Street, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title West Lincoln Highway from 1st St [in Winter]; Place DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb, DeKalb, Place, Lincoln Highway, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, Geneva, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Geneva, Railroads, Photo No. 1-131x; Engine No. 1299; Class D; Type 4-4-2; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry; Place Geneva, Illinois; Date 1934; Remarks Used on Geneva Aurora run because of inside valve gear; FRR photo; Neg No. 2600, Kane, Equipment, Economic Development
Parade on Main Street, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Main Street - North Side; Place DeKalb, Ill [Store fronts from left to right: S.P. Bradshaw, Justice of the Peace, 131 E. Main, G.H. Wendeberg Bakery, 133 Main St, The Spot]. Original is a small card print., DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Main Street, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, DeKalb, Illinois, Second Street
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Photo No. 183; Engine No. 1376; Class R1; Type 4-6-0; Road Chicago & Northwestern Ry; Place DeKalb, Ill 2ns St.; Train Way Frt; Time 2:00P; Date 5/31/34; Remarks Neg No. 479, DeKalb, Equipment, Second Street, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, Barrington, Illinois Turntable
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Barrington, Railroads, Photo No. 1-235x; Engine No. 125; Class D; Type 4-4-2; Road Chicago & Northwestern Ry; Place Barrington, Ill turntable; Remarks F.R. Ritzman photo, Cook, Lake, Equipment, Place, Economic Development