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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 and Northwestern, Belvidere, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Belvidere, Railroads, Belvidere 1896; Train to DeKalb-Spring Valley; C&NW [Chicago & North Western]; Engine No. 82; Type 4-4-0; Hink(?) 1856, Reb. 1875, Scr(?) 1900, Boone, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Williston Hall
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Williston Hall, Northern Ill State Teachers College; Place DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date Jan. 1, 1940; Williston Hall was a Women's Dormitory, and opened in 1915. This view looks North, from west side of Adm. Bldg., DeKalb, Educational, Place, Education
Bird's eye view from Huntley park stand pipe look east, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Birds Eye View from Huntley Park Stand Pipe look east; Place DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date 1928; Albert Wedberg photo (given to Embree) 1956; [other remarks in pencil] #4. DeKalb, Ill 1928, American steel to left and right, Nehring Electric works center; from Huntley park water tanks top, DeKalb, Industrial, Residential, Place, Economic Development
DeKalb Commercial Body Company, Garden Street, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title DeKalb Commercial Body Co; Place Garden St, DeKalb, Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb, Date 5/14/45. Note: Flag at half mast[after death of Pres.]F.D. Roosevelt, DeKalb, Industrial, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, Crystal Lake, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Crystal Lake, Railroads, Photo No. 191x; Engine No. 1152, 1177; Class R1, Q; Type 4-6-0; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry; Place Crystal Lake, Illinois Date 1918(?); Remarks Copy by F. R. Ritzman; Original owned by Fain, W Chgo, McHenry, Equipment, Economic Development
Abram Ellwod Mfg Company Employees
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, DeKalb, Industrial, People, Place, Economic Development
American Steel and Wire Company Buildings from North Sixth Street
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title American Steel and Wire Company Buildings from North Sixth Street; Place DeKalb, Illinois; County DeKalb; Date April 29, 1939, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Industrial, Place, Sixth Street, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, CNW; Type 4-4-2; Engine No. 126; Class D; DeKalb, IL [Station and 6th St. crossing]; 7/23/38; Neg No. 261; Photo No. 1-555, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Equipment, Place, Sixth Street, 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
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, Belvidere, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Belvidere, Railroads, Station; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry; Place Belvidere, Illinois; Date April 23, 1939; Photo No. M108; Neg No. 1219, Boone, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, CNW; Type 4-4-2; Engine No. 126; Class D; DeKalb, Il. [Station and 6th St. crossing]; 7/23/38; Neg No. 259; Photo No. 1-553, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Equipment, Place, Sixth Street, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, DeKalb, Illinois Coal Chutes
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Photo No. M 43; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry; Place DeKalb, Ill Coal Chutes; Train No. 2811 and Tr. 381; Time 12:30P; Date 2/27/37; Neg. No. 1171, DeKalb, Industrial, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Great Northern Railway, Waterman, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Waterman, Railroads, Engine William Crookes; Type 4-4-0; Road Great Northern Ry; Place Waterman, Illinois; Train Extra. Trip to New York World Fair; Date March 17, 1939; Photo No. 1179; Neg. No. 1729, DeKalb, Equipment, Place, Economic Development
Lobby of DeKalb Post Office
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Lobby U.S. Post Office; Place DeKalb , Ill; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date 1907; Xmas present [from] F.R. Ritzman 1950, Ritzman copy [of] A.R. Meize [Mieze?] photo, DeKalb, Government, Place, Economic Development
Pony and Cart, Embree's (?) yard Second Street, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Pony & Cart; Place [in front of] Embree [Lumber] Yard, So. 2nd [St], DeKalb, Ill; Date 1942, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Second 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] Viaduct over Lincoln Highway; DeKalb, IL; 1934; 3/47, DeKalb, Place, Lincoln Highway, Economic Development
Nehring Electric Works, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Nehring Electric Works, located at N. 6th Street and Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Illinois. Photo taken of back of building from across railroad tracks from about 5th Street., DeKalb, Industrial, Place, Sixth Street, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, DeKalb, Illinois Seventh Street
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Photo No. 1-202x; Engine No. 387; Class M1; Type 0-6-0; Road C&NW [Chicago & North Western]; Place DeKalb, Ill, 7th Street; Date 1907; Remarks Original owned by Joe Wood, Joe Wood extreme right; Copy [photo by] F.R.R[itzman], DeKalb, Equipment, People, Place, Seventh Street, Economic Development
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Meriden, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Meriden, Railroads, Meriden Station; CB&Q Railroad; July 15, 1951; Ritzman Photo, LaSalle, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern, DeKalb, Illinois Wurlitzer
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Railroads, Engine No. 1053; Type Diesel Switch; Road & Northwestern; Place DeKalb, [at] Wurlitzer plant; Ritzman Photo; Remarks Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Engine #1862 off track behind [the C&NW engine and car], DeKalb, Industrial, Equipment, Place, 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]Viaduct over Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL; 1934; Note painted sign for "Foiles Garage, Safe Modern" on wall., DeKalb, Place, Economic Development
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, Geneva, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Geneva, Railroads, Engine No. 718; Type 4-6-0; Class S1; Road Chicago and Northwestern Ry.; Place Geneva, Illinois; Date 1902; Photo No. 1-386x; Photo by Ritzman, Kane, Equipment, Economic Development
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, Lockport, Illinois Station
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Lockport, Railroads, AT&SFe [Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad]; Station - Lockport; 10/23/48; Neg. No. 1391, Will, Commercial/Business, Place, Economic Development
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific, Wilkinson, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, Wilkinson, Railroads, Looking North along CMStP&P [Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific] Grade Crossing;Wilkinson, IL; 8/3/41; CGW [Engine] 860; Neg. No. 2516, DeKalb, Place, Economic Development
Election Headquarter, Third and Lincoln, DeKalb, Illinois
Regional History Center, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Title Election Headquarters; Place 3rd & Lincoln [DeKalb, Illinois]; County DeKalb; Twp DeKalb; Date Oct. 1952, DeKalb, Commercial/Business, Place, Lincoln Highway, Third Street, Economic Development