DeKalb Stories

Premiered at The Egyptian Theatre

June 23, 2001

DeKalb Stories features three episodes focusing on DeKalb's connection to the larger world.

The stories include the Gurler's family's pioneering dairy farm, the Wurlitzer factory's role in World War II
and the Finnish community's settlemend in DeKalb.

Synopsis: Episode 1

Henry and George Gurler came to DeKalb in 1856, and took up dairy farming. After returning from Civil War services,
the brothers began to work on perfecting the process of giving pure milk a longer shelf life.

At the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Henry Gurler took his milk purification process to the 1900 World
Exposition in Paris. His milk stayed pure for the 17 day transit and the first four days of the Expo. Judges, impressed with his
success, awarded him a gold medal.

Synopsis: Episode 2

At the beginning of the 20th Century, as many as 100,000 people fled war-torn Finland for the United States, with
many settling in Michigan, Northern Illinois and Wisconsin. The immigrants formed their own social groups and churches
creating a tremendous impact on DeKalb's political and social life.

Synopsis: Episode 3

During World War II, the Wurlitzer plant suspended work on pianos and juke boxes to take part in the
war effort after the company received a contract from the Department of Defense in June 1942. Employees
were told they were going to make parts for gliders. What they were not told was that the gliders were an early
form of guided missle technology.

Secrecy was critical to the project, which is why few today know about DeKalb's historical contribution
to defense research.

Press Releases:

DeKalb Documentary to Premiere at NIU Film Festival (June 6, 2001)

Media Alert: DeKalb Documentary to Premiere on Baron DeKalb Day
(June 7, 2001)

NIU Graduate Students Capture DeKalb's Lost History through Documentary Film (June 7, 2001)

"DeKalb Stories" Premieres to Packed House (June 27, 2001)

For more information on DeKalb Stories, please contact:
Jeffrey Chown
Northern Illinois University
Department of Communication
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-6989

Copies of  DeKalb Stories are also available from the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce located at the corner of Lincoln Highway and 2nd St.

This site is maintained by Jeffrey Chown
This site was last updated on Nov 2006.