1966 Naperville Businesses Launched and Flourished

Here is a continued look at Naperville during the year that Summer Place Theatre was launched. The business folks in 1966 sure had a lot going on -- and so many of them are still making an impact today.

• Businesswoman Bev Patterson Frier was awarded the Naperville Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement recognition at the Naperville Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Awards in 2011. Throughout the years, Bev started and ran several businesses. Her first one was the Fabric Inn which opened in -- you guessed it! -- 1966. It was in the space on Washington Street where Room 363 currently operates. Later, Bev operated several music stores, including one in Naperville in the space where Jimmy's Grill is now. No doubt many Summer Place alums were familiar with that shop!

• The Phoenix Metal Cap Company history goes way back to 1890, but it was in 1966 that changed their name to Phoenix Closures. Thermoplastic caps were becoming the Next Big Thing (think mayonaise and peanut butter screw-on caps) and the company had just established an expanded injection-molding facility the year before in Naperville. The name change reflected their new direction. Apparently it was a smart choice because Phoenix Closures is still a thriving business today with locations across the country. 

• Edward Hospital was founded in 1907 as the Edward Sanitorium, one of the first treatment centers for tuberculosis in the Great Lakes area. As the medical community beat back the tuberculosis epidemic, the sanitorium shifted gears to become a local hospital. In 1966 Edward built an impressive new addition — and they are still growing. Also, it was during the summer of 1966 that newspapers photographed Lillian Grace Avery, the country’s first Medicare recipient, who was being treated at Edward Hospital. 

• A Bavarian family emigrated to Naperville started farming in 1852. They were named Keller and operated a farm on Ogden Avenue. During the Depression, they sold produce to the community from a roadside table. As subdivisions started taking up more space in our area, the Kellers decided to sell that farm in 1966. Fortunately for those who like home-grown tomatoes, the Kellers bought land not too far away and continue their farming tradition. Instead of the little table on Ogden, you can now buy their produce at several Keller Farmstands around town.

The Sixties are remembered as a crazy time in American history, but locally, people were building foundations that withstood not only that decade, but grew for the next half century. 1966 was an impressive year in Naperville's history and a launchpad for much of the growth we continue to enjoy today.