Once upon a time

Wooden walks - This photo in Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," mentions the village sidewalk system - or lack of one - in the early days of the village. "Before Hinsdale was incorporated, sidewalks were private projects. If a homeowner wanted one, he had to build the wooden walk himself. After the 1873 incorporation, walks were a popular public improvement; in 1878, the village's largest expense was for sidewalk nails."