Local History

DeKalb Ag Timeline:

Legends – The Winged Ear

“DeKalb Ag” is probably one of the most well-known companies in the history of DeKalb County. As the “Winged Ear” brand completes the transition from Monsanto to Bayer, let’s look back at this popular icon.  The DEKALB Winged Ear logo is one of the most identifiable agriculture symbols anywhere in the ...read more

Bayer in our Backyard

More than a century ago the DeKalb County Agricultural Association made its mark in our county, the legendary company which developed DEKALB hybrid seed corn. The rich history of the DEKALB brand continues today with the Bayer Company. Bayer maintains the local legacy with its research, production and seed technology facilities ...read more

Legends – A House Divided

DeKalb and Sycamore have always been known for their rivalry, but they aren’t the only neighboring townships in the county that can claim that title. The township of Somonauk, located in the southeast part of the county, was once twice as big as it is today. Believed to be one of ...read more

30 Years of Ag Discipline Scholarships

In three decades, 101 students have received Farm Bureau ag scholarships totaling over $189,000. DeKalb County Farm Bureau has been awarding Ag Discipline Scholarships to college students majoring in an agricultural curriculum for 30 years. The scholarship program provides financial assistance to juniors and seniors in college. The number of scholarships given ...read more

Historic Garage Gets Innovation Honors

Resource Bank recognized for restoring Sycamore building. The Innovator of the Year award was presented to Resource Bank by the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association (DAAHA) at its annual meeting last month. The award honored the bank for its preservation of the Townsend Garage located on North Main Street in Sycamore. Jim ...read more

Legends – Coltonville

DeKalb County is dotted with historical places, but only one location can boast of three important events taking place. The area known as Coltonville is that historic spot. Coltonville was located north of DeKalb, at the intersection of North First Street and Rich Road, later known as Coltonville Road. It was ...read more

Legends – Making America Great

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) or Work Projects Administration as it was later called, provided jobs and income for the unemployed during the Great Depression from 1935 to 1943. The 1929 market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment and poverty, resulting in an economic depression like no ...read more

Travelling Farm Finds a New Home

After almost three decades, the Traveling Farm is traveling to a new home. In October of 1990, the DeKalb County Ag in the Classroom News & Notes newsletter announced the availability of a Traveling Farm with this description: “The Traveling Farm consists of four buildings, a barn, a farmhouse, a machine shed, ...read more

Holiday Traditions at Ellwood House

The Ellwood House is all decked out for the holidays. Revered as one of DeKalb County’s most elegant mansions, Ellwood House continues its holiday traditions with its festive décor. For more than a half-century the three-story mansion has been adorned with Christmas trees, ornaments, lights, garland and other trimmings in each ...read more