The history of the 14 S. Washington St. building where the Naperville Woman’s Club meets dates back to the days of Naperville founder Joseph Naper.
? In 1841, the U.S. Congress passed the Preemption Act, which allowed Joseph Naper to acquire a 160-acre tract of land on Feb. 7, 1842, at a cost of $200 or $1.25 per acre. The lot where the church/clubhouse was later built is part of Joe Naper’s parcel.
? On Dec. 10, 1842, the tract was deeded to Charles B. Hosmer, who subdivided the property into 50-by-150-foot lots. The area immediately behind these lots was designated as a public square and known today as Central Park.
? During the next 40 years, portions of the block of land went through many hands. After the death of John Riddler (1866) and Elizabeth Riddler (1882), the tract including the 14 S. Washington St. lot was sold on Aug. 20, 1884.
? Alexander A. Riddler (eldest son of John Riddler) and his wife, Mary, sold the lot to William G. Sieber on Feb. 23, 1898, for $1,300. The Homestead rights were waived on Feb. 25, and five months later, Sieber sold the property to the German Evangelical People’s Church of Naperville for $1,300.
? The church was founded Jan. 3, 1898, and construction on the English Gothic Revival house of worship began in late 1899.
? Sentiment against Germans after World War I ended in 1918 was strong in Naperville, and the church disbanded.
? One of the officers of the Naperville Woman’s Club put up the $3,500 to purchase the old stone church as a clubhouse in 1925. Within two years, the members repaid the loan and have owned the property ever since.
— Naperville Sun archives