The Answers to the Marengo Trivia Test

Updated 1 May, 2004

  1. Who was the founding settler of Marengo? - Calvin Spencer.

  2. What were the original boundaries of the Marengo Fire Protection District? -- It was bound by Washington and Prairie Streets.

  3. What section of town was known as the "Syndicate"? - The area north of 176 and east of 23. It is sometimes known today as the "Avenues".

  4. What was the name of the first railroad to go through Marengo? - "Galena and Chicago Union Railroad".

  5. The original railroad later became the "Chicago North Western Railway", what were the names of the other two railroads that ran to or through Marengo in 1916? - "Elgin and Belvidere Electric Company" and the "Woodstock and Sycamore Traction Company".

  6. A fourth railroad was proposed but all that was built was the depot at Rt. 23 and Dunham Rd. What was the railroad going to be called? - "Marengo, Harvard and Lake Geneva Railroad"

  7. Where were the car barns located for the "Elgin and Belvidere Electric Company"? - The building was torn down in February 2003 but was at the "Arnold Engineering Company"

  8. Where was the old Popcorn Stand located at in beautiful downtown Marengo? - On the southeast corner of State and Washington Street. On the sidewalk just outside of today's State Street Pub.

  9. What year did the old "Tastee Freez" go out of business? - 1976.

  10. The old "Tastee Freez" was replaced by "Mr. Freeze". Where did the name come from? - That is what the high school kids called the owner of the Tastee Freez back in the 60's.

  11. What was the name of the movie theater in Marengo? - Colonial

  12. The building the theater was in was built back in the 1850's. What was it built for? - The Methodist Church

  13. Where was the theater located? - It was located where the parking lot is between the Methodist Church and Wholly Smokes

  14. The old Community Center located behind the First National Bank had a bowling alley up stairs, a gym down stairs. What was located in the back of the building? - Roller Skating Rink.

  15. What business was located in the present day "Marengo Steel" building located on Prospect Street ? - A Pickle Factory

  16. Where was the Opera House located? - Where the present day Harris Bank is located.

  17. What did the Opera House use for lighting? - Gas Lights

  18. What was the nickname for Rt. 20 during the Civil War era? - The Lead Route. Rt. 20 was the main trail taken to haul the lead from the mines of Galena to the City of Chicago

  19. Marengo's original traffic light was on a single pole in the middle of the intersection of Rt. 23 and Rt. 20. What was the truck hauling that took out the light back in the 1930's? - Chickens

  20. What year did the Strahorn Library Building open? - The Library Council was established in 1907 but the Strahorn Library didn't open up till Monday the 6th of October 1930

  21. Where was (is) Tokyo Road and why was it called that? - Burma Road was called Tokyo Road for the Japanese workers that worked for the Curtis Candy Farms located west of Marengo. (Special thanks to Ken Holz for providing us with this bit of trivia!)

  22. Where was the old Marengo Fairgrounds located? - Marengo Syndicate area west of East Street and north of Rt. 176

  23. What live animal act did Marengo have on Main Street - Dancing Bear (See Video presented by Harris Bank and produced by Willow Tree Productions)

  24. What event in 1974 got Marengo mentioned in Playboy Magazine? - Fire at the Paradise Park.

  25. What and where was Paradise Park located? - The local Nudist Colony was located where the present day Kunde's Woods Conservation Area which is north of town on Rt.23.

  26. What Restaurant was located where the 1st National Parking Lot is today? (Thanks to Big Steve) - A small restaurant called the "Swiss Miss".

  27. What use to be in the basement of Sam's Tavern? (Thanks again to Big Steve) - Another restaurant called "The Cave".

  28. What was the name of the business that use to be where the Marengo Township facilities are today? (Thanks to Bob Wilson) - The Dog N' Suds

    29. The following trivia was provided by Yankeeprow.

  29. What business was located west of the Community Center on W. Prairie St. in the 50s? - Potter Motors Plymouth Dealership.

  30. What business was located on W. Prairie St. next to the news paper in the 50s? - Harris Wessons Bordens Milk Home Delivery.

  31. What was the name of the business on the corner of State St.and W.Prairie St. after the war and who owned it? - Dusenberry's Cleaners. It was owned by John Dusenberry and Claire Fleener

  32. There were two lumber yards in Marengo in the 40s and 50s. What were their names and where were they located? - Patterson Lumber was located on State St., North of the R.R. tracks and Shurtliff Lumber and Feed located on E. Prairie one block east of State St.

    33. The following trivia were provided by Big Steve

  33. Marengo is down to two gas stations. What was the all time high number? - 13

  34. Couriers Barber Shop use to be what candy store? - Ruth's Candy Store

  35. The Dollar General Store use to be what grocery store back in the 60's? - National Tea Store and then it became Van's.

    36. The following trivia was provided by the Marengo Society for Historic Preservation.

  36. What was the original name of Marengo? - Pleasant Grove.

  37. What year did Locust School open? - 1953

  38. What year was Rte. 20 (Grant Hwy.) paved through Marengo? - 1921

  39. The Chicago Telephone Company established the first toll line in Marengo in what year? - 1883

  40. How many one-room school districts existed in the community high school district prior to consolidation - 29

    41. The following triva was provided by MarengoExplorer.com

  41. What business used to be located in the building known today as State Street Pub? - Swonger's Funeral Home (Some equipment is still in the basement of the State Street Pub), Marie Ann's Dress Shop, and Vidiots to name just a few!

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