The Hinsdalean - Community journalism the way it was meant to be

Early Hinsdalean - This photo in Sandy Williams' book, "Images of America - Hinsdale," is of Barto Van Velzer, who was a settler from the east. "Barto Van Velzer was a former boat driver on the Erie Canal. He helped lay the Southwest Plank Road and became the toll collector at Brush Hill upon its completion. Van Velzer had a reputation as a talented horse trader and was well liked by the stagecoach drivers and area farmers."