Once upon a time

A nutty idea - This photo in Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," shows the home located at 219 E. Third St., which was built in 1887 by a "public-spirited" Deming Preston. "He noted an absence in his new prairie community - it had no squirrels. To rectify this, Preston and other residents purchased several dozen pair to populate the village. In addition to this successful effort, the resourceful Preston served as a local bank president, volunteer fire chief, founder of the library and village president. The home was demolished in 1995."