Palatine Past and Present: Batterman Building on Brockway

Downtown Palatine's brick block was built in 1884 by Henry Batterman. The Batterman building, was located on the northeast corner of Brockway and Slade streets. 

Today, the Palatine Firefighters' Memorial statue is located directly in front of the footprint where the three-story red brick building stood for roughly 50 years. 

The Palatine Bank, founded by Charles .H. Patten (a former Palatine mayor who built the Patten House at 117 N. Benton Street), occupied the first floor in the early 1900's. When the bank left the location, it was followed by the First National Bank of Palatine. 

The second floor of the building had offices for the Wauconda, Rockford and Elgin Traction Company, which ultimately became the Palatine, Lake Zurich & Wauconda Railroad. 

A stage, dressing rooms and a dance hall were situated on the top floor, which was a dedicated place for the Palatine Opera House and the Palatine Maennerchor, a German men's chorus which was a singing and society club. 

According to Marilyn Pedersen, many dances were held on the third floor of the Batterman building, and Palatine High School used the space as a gymnasium area for a time. PHS alumni also held a dance there after a banquet at the first Palatine Village Hall, Pedersen said. 

Over the years, the building also housed doctors offices, lunch rooms, an ice cream parlor and a dry goods store. 

Charles Dinse's barbershop and pool hall were located in the basement of the Batterman building up until the late 1920's, when the business was moved to Bothwell Street across from where Lamplighters is today. 

Other inhabitants of the building included a sanitary market, an A & P and apartments before the building was torn down in the 1930's. 

Information provided by Marilyn Pedersen, Palatine Historical Society Museum coordinator and the Palatine Centennial Book, 1866-1991.