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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

Train Bulletin, Chicago and Northwestern Station, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Train Bulletin [Board], DeKalb, Ill., C&NW Station, Oct. 30, 1955; Shown, streamliners thru DeKalb. After this date all Union Pacific trains were routed via CMSTP&P [Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific], DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, Creston, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Creston, Railroads, CNW Creston, Illinois; Now not used. Operator transferred to crossing shanty; [Original taken]August 22, 1937, [copy print] Aug 6, 1950, Ogle, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
DeKalb Post Office, Southwest Corner of First and Lincoln
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Post Office, [SW corner of 1st and Lincoln] DeKalb, Ill, 1950. Purchased at Lehan's Drug Store, DeKalb, Government, Place, First Street, Lincoln Highway, Economic Development
Engine Room, Abram Ellwood Mfg. Company
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, DeKalb, Industrial, Equipment, People, Place, Economic Development
West Main Street Bridge, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title West Main St. Bridge; Place DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date 1900 approx; From railroad bridge lookin[ing] north. Original is a small card print., DeKalb, Place, Main Street, Economic Development
Main Street looking west from Fourth, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Main Street Looking West from Fourth; Place DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date 1899; Rolfe Original, Ritzman copy, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Economic Development
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy No. 42, Ogleby, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Oglesby, Railroads, CB&Q [Chicago, Burlington and Quincy] #42, Oglesby, Ill; Aug. 1894; Photo by F.R. Ritzman, No. 224x; Built 1881 CB&Q #42, 1898 #1042, 1901 KCS&J&CB #549, Scrap 1903, LaSalle, Equipment, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, East Clinton, Illinois Enginehouse
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, East Clinton, Railroads, Photo No. M28X; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry; Place East Clinton, Ill. Enginehouse; Date 1932; Remarks Built in 1910, abandoned 1930, Whiteside, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Tite Kiln, DeKalb
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Tile Works, DeKalb; 1898?; Original Photo by Dickerman, copy by Ritzman, DeKalb, Industrial, Place, Economic Development
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Sheridan, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Sheridan, Railroads, Sheridan, IL Station; CB&Q; 7/12/59; Neg. No. 1510, LaSalle, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Main Street at 4th, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Main Street looking East from roof of Electric Light Plant; Place DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date 1907, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Economic Development
Illinois Central Railroad, Freeport, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Freeport, Railroads, IC; Freeport, IL Station; Neg. No. 2505; Sign on station reads, "Freeport, Illinois Central, Chicago & Northwestern, Passenger Station.", Stephenson, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, DeKalb, Illinois, Second Street
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, CNW; DeKalb looking east [down tracks] from 2nd Street; November 1949; Note: excavation for switch track to right; Neg No. 1146, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Equipment, Place, Second Street, Economic Development
Fire Truck at Koach's Fire, Seventh and Lincoln
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, DeKalb Fire Trucks, fire at Koack's Food Mart, NW corner of 7th Street at Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, 1946, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Equipment, Place, Lincoln Highway, Seventh Street, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, Shabbona Grove, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Shabbona, Railroads, CNW Station Shabbona Grove, Illinois, 8/1/37; Photo No. M60; Neg No. 1234, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Steward, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Steward, Railroads, Look[ing] West; 7/16/49; CB&Q; Steward, IL Station; Neg. No. 2483, Lee, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, Wayne, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Wayne, Railroads, Station CNW; Wayne, Illinois; June 7, 1936; Photo No. M49; Neg. No. 1237, DuPage, Kane, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago Great Western, Elizabeth, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Elizabeth, Railroads, CGW [Chicago and Great Western] Railroad, Train No. 4; gas/electric; [1006 - P.O. CAR]; Elizabeth, IL; 1946; Neg. No. 1591, Jo Daviess, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Main Street, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Carte-de-visite print of J.W. Yerkes Store (on left) and a Boots & Shoes Store, Main Street, DeKalb. Original was the Property of Nettie Weiden Bagg, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, People, Place, Lincoln Highway, Main Street, Economic Development
Hugh Jameson (Faculty Member) Clown, Homecoming
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Jameson Clown [Hugh Jameson was a NISTC faculty member]; Place Homecoming Parade,[Lincoln Hwy,DeKalb, Ill]; Date Oct 1952, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Lincoln Highway, Entertainment
NISTC Golden Anniversary Parade
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title N.I.S.T.C. 50th Homecoming Parade; Place Lincoln Highway [DeKalb, Ill]; Date Oct. 9, 1948, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, People, Place, Lincoln Highway, Economic Development, Entertainment
DeKalb Fire Department, Fourth and Lincoln
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title DeKalb Fire Dept; Place 4th & Lincoln, DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date Aug. 26, 1954, DeKalb, Equipment, Place, Fourth Street, Lincoln Highway, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, McGirr, Railroads, C&nw; Type 4-6-0; No. 484; Class R1; McGirr, IL; FRR 1941, DeKalb, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, West of DeKalb, Illinois Tracks
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Tracks; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry; Place West of DeKalb, Illinois [looking east]; Date 1930; Photo No. M50x; Photo by F.R. Ritzman, DeKalb, Place, Economic Development
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Steward, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Steward, Railroads, 7/16/49; CB&Q; Steward, IL Station; Neg. No. 1512, Lee, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development