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Geneva’s secret role in The Great War
📸 Credit: Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley
You’ve probably driven past it on Route 31 in Geneva, perhaps glancing at the property as you zoom past Fabyan Forest Preserve.
Next time, if you look closely, you’ll see a cluster of unusual buildings on the west side of the road — including a fortress-like five-story building that resembles some sort of tiered pyramid.
That striking set of buildings is Riverbank Laboratories, a longtime Geneva acoustics research facility where engineers test and fine-tune how sound behaves in a variety of materials and products. After avoiding a demolition scare in the late 1990s, the property is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and for good reason — it once hid an extraordinary secret.
Over a century ago in 1917, George Fabyan turned the riverside property into a groundbreaking research lab that helped crack enemy codes during World War I.
This story from Northwest Quarterly Magazine reveals a little-known piece of local history, recounting how the eccentric mogul and his team of codebreakers played an instrumental role in the war effort for the United States and its allies abroad.
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🏡 What’s really happening in the Tri-Cities housing market?
Maybe you’re wondering whether it’s a good time to buy or sell. Or perhaps you’re just interested in how the market’s trending in Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles.
In his latest video, local real estate expert Chris Wallace breaks down what’s changed over the past year, how the three cities compare right now, and what he’s watching closely as we head into the heart of the 2026 market.
You may be surprised by which community is quietly heating up.
☑️ River Street blueprint: After more than a year of community discussion, Batavia locked in a new long-term plan for South River Street that will guide zoning, traffic design, and future development.
☑️ Restoring roots: Following a successful three-year effort to return bison to a Kane County prairie preserve, this WTTW piece explores what the important moment meant to forest preserve officials and Indigenous leaders in their quest to restore native ecosystems and cultural connections.
☑️ Virtual tour: In addition to offering tours of the police station to show residents why the city is seeking approval for a new public safety facility in the March 2026 referendum, Geneva published a video tour for those who can’t make it in person.
☑️ Solar savings: According to officials, Kane County's "Switch Together" group-buy solar program has led to about $450K in total cost savings so far, with 84 installations completed and more underway.
☑️ Crisis care: A new Kane County partnership will offer low-cost Mental Health First Aid training throughout 2026, with a goal of training 2K residents to recognize and respond to mental health and substance-use crises.
☑️ Midwest escapes: Time Out Chicago rounded up the top 23 winter getaways within a few hours of the Chicago area, from indoor water parks and ski resorts to cozy small towns and scenic state parks.
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☑️ Skating season: Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles offer options for free outdoor ice skating once we experience a sustained cold stretch — which it appears we’re entering now. Here’s where to go and what to know about ice skating locally.
☑️ Donate those dresses: CHIP IN Batavia and the Batavia Library will host a free Prom Dress Giveaway on March 14 and 15, and they’re collecting dress and accessory donations starting February 1 to help students attend prom.
☑️ Teen hub turns 25: The STC Underground Teen Center is celebrating 25 years of serving St. Charles families, with plans to expand access so more middle and high school students can take part in its free programs, games, and creative activities.
☑️ Athletic accomplishment: A St. Charles North senior was named the 2025–26 Gatorade Illinois Volleyball Player of the Year after a standout season on the court, strong academics, and local community service.
☑️ Glimpse into the past: As Kane County is celebrates 190 years of existence, the new county historian recently presented a history of its evolution from an early frontier community into what it is today. Watch a video of the presentation.
✳️ Local mom meetup: Zen Loft Collective in Batavia will host a “Where Moms Belong” event on Saturday (1/24) featuring a gentle movement class, free childcare, and time to connect with other moms.
PRESENTED BY PRESERVATION
The beloved Bears are out of the playoffs. College football season is over (congrats Hoosier fans!).
If your weekends have been dominated by football in recent months, this weekend might be great time to reconnect with the local live music scene.
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🔥 “One of the best coffees I’ve ever had”
Kurt B wasn’t kidding around when he left a review for Dragon Fire Coffee’s Black Dragon Blend:
My wife told me she is mad at me, because she can no longer drink the coffee she buys. This is some of the best beans we have ever brewed. Make the switch — oh, and they are local too, can’t get better than that.
That pretty much says it all. And remember, it’s roasted daily in Warrenville and they offer free local delivery in the Tri-Cities.
The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.
☑️ Local shop showcase: Geneva’s 90s vintage fashion shop Neighborsgrid was featured on WGN’s Daytime Chicago show, highlighting the local store’s trending styles as part of their sustainability segment. You can watch it here.
☑️ Century mark: Founded in 1926, Warwick Publishing in St. Charles is celebrating 100 years as a five-generation family-owned business — growing from a local newspaper publisher into a producer of promotional products and calendars.
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This section is sponsored by Up North Wine Tasting Room — an inviting, mother-daughter-owned Northern Michigan wine and cocktail bar located at 9 N. 2nd St. in downtown Geneva. Grab tickets to their “Uncork the Stories” curated wine tasting event on January 25.
☑️ Chicago Home Show | Sat 1/24, 10AM – Sun 1/25, 5PM | Kane County Fairgrounds, STC | Huge show with home improvement exhibits, experts, demos, and inspiration.
☑️ Geneva Commons Wellness Fair | Sat 1/24, 11AM-3PM | Geneva Commons | Explore wellness services, expert materials, giveaways, and self-care resources.
🎟️ Karaoke Night Party | Sat 1/24, 6-9PM | Pollyanna Brewing, STC | Karaoke, pizza, beer, and live music all in support of the St. Charles Singers.
🎟️ Bach on the Fox: A Renaissance Revelry | Sat 1/24, 7-8:30PM | Water Street Studios, Batavia | New concert series with Grammy winners, bites, and drinks.
🎟️ Cozy Knit Blanket Workshop | Sun 1/25, 10AM-2PM | The Cottage, Geneva | Create your own chunky knit blanket with guided instruction.
☑️ Voter Registration Event | Sun 1/25, 1-4PM | St. Charles Public Library, STC | Register to vote with library staff and League of Women Voters volunteers.
☑️ “Reflections” Exhibit Artists Reception | Sun 1/25, 2-4PM | Norris Cultural Arts Center, STC | Celebrate participating artists and enjoy the exhibit through Feb. 15.
🎟️ The Dick Biondi Story | Sun 1/25, 2-4PM | Moonlight Theatre, STC | Exciting documentary with Q&A and interviews honoring a Chicago radio legend.
☑️ Nursery School Open House | Tue 1/27, 5:30PM | Batavia Nursery School | Tour classrooms, meet staff, and learn about preschool programs.
🎟️ North of Niche: A Canadian Winter Dinner | Wed 1/28, 5:30-9:30PM | Niche, Geneva | Four-course Canadian winter dinner with optional wine pairings.
Looking ahead:
✳️ Upcoming events: You’re invited to a thought-provoking January 31 event at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva that will feature an honest community conversation about serving others well — plus an Alpha Game Night event this Saturday (1/24). Get all the details here.
Thanks for reading
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