1) Stempel General Store
The Stempel General Store, 302 Old McHenry Road is Long Grove’s original General Store. It was built by Charles Stempel in 1855. The windows have been changed, but the false-front exterior with porch retains its original character. As you face the front door, on the right side of the building there used to be a loading platform where farmers could deliver goods for sale or load goods they had purchased.
The connecting building to the left of the store is the pre-Civil War Stempel home. It was originally a separate structure and was attached to the store in the 1950’s.
The original shopkeeper, Charles Stempel, was a Republican; the competing General Store across the street behind you was run by the Sauer family, who were Democrats. The location of the Long Grove post office moved back and forth between the two general stores based on which political party was in power.
Illinois Governor John Altgeld, who was elected in 1893, gave a speech on the Stempel Store steps during his election campaign.
The next stop is building #43, across Robert Parker Coffin Road to your right. Proceed there and press NEXT STOP when you arrive.
