The Story Behind Church Street

Did you know that Church Street was once called Midway Road? 

In the late 1800s, that small road was considered the midway line between the eastern and western Village limits. On the southeast corner is the Kiest family home, built in 1890. The Kiest family owned the property from Shermer Road south to Walter Avenue along Midway Road, and when Kiest decided to subdivide his property, he created the first neighborhood in town. Called the Kiest Subdivision, the Hope Union Church would be built there in 1892, and soon after the road was renamed to Church Street.

Church Street circa 1914

Florence Kiest Walter & George A. Kiest

1297 Shermer Road was home to George Kiest, who operated Northbrook’s first grocery, dry goods and hardware store. The store was later purchased and run by the Melzer family.