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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

Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Mendota, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Mendota, Railroads, CB&Q; Mendota, 1918; Engines, LaSalle, Equipment, Economic Development
Fox and Illinois Union Station, Lisbon Center, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lisbon Center, Railroads, Interurban; Fox & Illinois; Union Station[Old Station, now "Jack's Place]; Lisbon Center, IL; 7/3/1938; Neg. No. 2155, Kendall, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
NISTC Administration Building from Above
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Northern Ill. State Teachers College; Place DeKalb [Illinois]; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date 1946; Administration Building, DeKalb, Educational, Place, Education
Latter Doy Saints Church, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Latter Day Saint Church; Place 7th & Prospect, DeKalb [Illinois]; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date Aug. 1948, DeKalb, Religious, Place, Seventh Street, Religion
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, Geneva, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Geneva, Railroads, Photo No. 108; Enginge No. 911; Class R1; Type 4-6-0; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry; Place Geneva, Illinois; Train Wrecker; Date July 11, 1933; Neg No. 392, Kane, Equipment, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, DeKalb, Illinois, Fourth Street
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, 5/21/34, 4th St, 8:50 AM; 11/25(?); CNW; Rail Crane;DeKalb; Neg No. 1118. [View looks northwest from 4th St. toward businesses on Lincoln Highway], DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Equipment, Fourth Street, Lincoln Highway, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, CNW [Chicago Northwestern] Viaduct over Pearl Street; DeKalb, IL; 8/17/39; Neg. No. 2327. Note: DeKalb Waterworks Main Pumping Station, at right, DeKalb, Place, Pearl Street, Economic Development
Illinois Central Railroad, Freeport, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Freeport, Railroads, ICRR [Illinois Central Railroad]; Freeport, Ill; 6/15/41; Engine No. 484; Type 2-6-0; Neg. No. 1754, Stephenson, Commercial/Business, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Hinckley, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Hinckley, Railroads, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Hinckley, Ill. Station; 1957; Ritzman Photo; Neg. No. 2481, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific, La Salle, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, La Salle, Railroads, Peoria Rocket; Type Diesel; Road Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific; Place LaSalle, Illinois Station; Train No. 601; Date March 24, 1939; Photo No. 402; Neg. No. 1697, LaSalle, Equipment, 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, Equipment, People, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, South Earlville, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Earlville, Railroads, C&NW; Watchman tower South [of] Earlville; 8/16/49, LaSalle, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, DeKalb, Illinois, Second Street
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Photo No. 190; Engine No. 126; Class D; Type 4-4-2; Road Chicago & Northwestern Ry; Place DeKalb, Ill 2nd St; Train 26; Time 12:40 A; Date 6/11/34; Neg No. 256, DeKalb, Equipment, Second Street, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, Triumph, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Triumph, Railroads, C&NW, Triumph, Illinois, 8/1/49; Neg. No. 1534, LaSalle, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific, Joliet, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Joliet, Railroads, CMSTP&P [Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific] Station; Joliet, IL; 10/23/48, Will, Place, Economic Development
Geographical Publishing Co, Pleasant Street with Cars, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Geographical Pub. Co.; Place Pleasant Street, DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date Nov. 19, 1956, DeKalb, Industrial, Place, Pleasant Street, Economic Development
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, CMStP&P [Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific]; Wrecking Viaduct, DeKalb [Illinois]; 1948, DeKalb, 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
Chicago and Northwestern, Henrietta, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Henrietta, Railroads, C&NW Station; Henrietta, Illinois; 10/20/46; Neg. No. 1222, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, DeKalb, Illinois, Tenth Street
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Photo No. 1-305; Engine No. 938; Class R1; Type 4-6-0; Road C&NW Ry.; Place DeKalb, Ill - 10th St; Train Way Frt; Time 4:15 P; Date 6/13/35; Remarks Neg No. 406, DeKalb, Equipment, Tenth Street, Economic Development
DeKalb Sycamore Traction Co., DeKalb, Illinois Car Barns
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Interurban; Photo No. 11-103x; Work Car; Road DeKalb, Sycamore Traction Co; Place Car Barns, DeKalb, Ill; Date 1908?; Neg. No. 2250; Mieze photo, DeKalb, Industrial, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Republican election Headquarter, Third and Lincoln, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Republican Election Headquarters; Place 3rd & Lincoln, DeKalb; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date Oct 1952, DeKalb, Place, Lincoln Highway, Third Street, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, Elva, Illinois Passenger Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Elva, Railroads, CNW Passenger Station; Elva, Illinois; 9/20/47; Neg. No. 1214, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Looking west from Gas Tanks, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Looking West from Gas Tanks; Place DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date 1936; State Street between 11th and 14th [runs from right side of photo]; Market Street [is at very left bottom corner], DeKalb, Residential, Equipment, Place, State Street, Economic Development
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific, DeKalb, Illinois Freight House
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, CMStP&P [Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific] Frieght House; [1828 Pleasant Street] DeKalb, IL; 7/30/1951; Neg. No. 1680, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Equipment, Pleasant Street, Economic Development