In Brookfield, there are the obvious treasures. For example, there are the Eight Corners fountain, the old Grossdale Train Station, the water tower with the dolphins on the sides, the Hollywood Community House and the F-86L Sabre jet memorial at Jaycee/Ehlert Park.

But there are less appreciated treasures, too, ones that are casually glanced at as people walk by or drive by every day. These are Brookfield’s hidden treasures, whose existence waits to be discovered.

 


1 Jagla’s Candyland Castle

Known today as the Off Broadway Pub at 9048 Monroe Ave., the property reportedly has ties to early aviation history. This castle-like building opened 85 years ago, in 1925, only then it was known as Jagla’s Candyland.

This was a family-run ice cream parlor that sold, besides the usual commercially made sweets, its own homemade candies. Michael Jagla, who founded the business, ordered back then that his building should have a sturdy, strong roof so it would be able to service helicopter traffic that he expected would be traveling between Chicago … and Brookfield.

For eight years his business prospered, until Prohibition ended, and Jagla saw his chance to capitalize on this. The old Candyland was out, and in its place was Jagla’s Beer Castle, the first business in Brookfield to convert to liquor sales after Prohibition ended.

For 77 years, the liquor has flowed at 9048 Monroe. But the business began quite differently, with ice cream, candy and phantom helicopters.


2 Madlin Park

Located in the 9300 block of Lincoln Avenue, this remained an undeveloped site until the early 1950s, when the village made an ice skating rink out of it every winter. In 1954, School District 95 acquired this land and used it for athletic classes for S.E. Gross School, which it has been doing ever since.

Up until 1958, the property had no formal name, so a contest was held to choose a name for the park. The winner was announced at the Gross School board meeting on June 20, 1958.

Gross School student Karl Ackerman was awarded a $5 prize for submitting the name “Mad-Lin Park,” because it was located at Madison and Lincoln avenues. Apparently no one submitted the name “Ray-Lin Park,” even though it was also at the corner of Raymond Avenue, too.


3 Grand Boulevard ¡®coal holes’

In the latter part of 1897, the limestone-fronted brick building at 3729-31 Grand Blvd. opened with all the latest improvements, including two front ground-level openings that acted as chutes, so coal could be deposited directly into basement bins. The two stores at ground level and the two apartments overhead were all heated by coal.

Around 1910, when cement sidewalks were laid in front of the building, “coal holes” with iron covers were installed in the cement. Coal could thus be “chuted” down in this modern way.

Several decades have passed since coal was used for heating here, but the delivery chutes and holes still exist, though the chutes have long since been closed off. The iron covers still remain in the sidewalk, although few people recognize them for what they are ¡ª or rather, were ¡ª as they walk over them.


4 Barcol’s neon sign

Back in 1954, the McKee Overdoor Sales business, at 9038 Ogden Ave., changed its franchise name and became the Barcol House of Doors, selling and installing garage and rolling doors to both businesses and residents. Some Brookfield garages may still have the Barcol name strip on them.

The neon sign went was installed in 1954 and remains there today, although the business is just called “House of Doors” today. It has been said that parts of the neon tubing still work, even if the sign has not been turned on in years.

This is the oldest neon sign in Brookfield, still up after 56 years. A little further down Ogden is the Colony Motel neon sign, the next oldest sign, dating from 1957.


5 The friendly glade

There is a spot, a lane, a covered glade, a verdant garden area along which anyone can wander and reflect. It is truly a haven of natural beauty, cut off from the suburban world, and located on the northwest corner of Monroe and Harrison Avenues. For years, the owners of the corner property have enhanced this parkway, and it overflows from their lavish backyard garden.

Until recent years, there was no sidewalk here, but just a meandering wood chip trail. If you want to know what poets call a “leafy bower,” this is your chance to find out. It is a delight to the senses to slowly walk along this trail, and you will be tempted to turn around and re-walk it. Local neighbors have loved this site for many years.

Yes, treasures abound in Brookfield, sometimes hidden, all waiting to be discovered. Keep your eyes open, and see what you can find.