Its legacy is now cemented after it became the first music venue in Illinois to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Owners Will Duncan and Jess King worked toward the designation for two years.
In April 2023, King posted a vintage photo of FitzGerald’s on social media, sparking an outpouring of nostalgia from patrons.
“I went to the Berwyn Public Library looking for more photos,” she said. “That’s really when I discovered the full history. As I’m sitting there in the library, I’m seeing advertisements and news articles on this property going all the way back to the early 1900s, and it was just incredible.”
This revelation set the wheels in motion to nominate the venue for the National Register.
The research revealed surprising details, including FitzGerald’s connections to Prohibition-era mob activity.
“We have actual records of the mayor of Berwyn at the time—I think it was 1934—shutting this place down because this was the hangout of one of Al Capone’s top guys, Jack McGurn,” King said. She noted that records from the Library of Congress pointed to the property’s reputation during Prohibition, joking, “No comment on bad, but it’s one of the things that surprised us the most!”
The road to historic designation wasn’t easy.
“This was not a typical nomination,” King said. “The nominations for the National Register are mostly architectural, and this stands out as a 100% cultural nomination.”
Illinois’ Board of the National Register debated the venue’s merit, but ultimately acknowledged overwhelming community support — more than 90 letters from patrons.
“In the end, they did say that this place deserves to be on the National Register for its importance to people alone,” King said.
The venue was originally built as a dance hall.
“We know that for sure because it’s labeled that on a Sanborn map from the early 1900s,” King said.
During the jazz revival of the mid-20th century, FitzGerald’s became a beacon for musicians and fans alike. While specific names elude immediate recall, King promises their historical records include notable artists who graced its stage.
And during Prohibition, it became an athletic club before pivoting to a hunt club called “Deer Lodge,” which explains the deer heads on the walls.
The couple enlisted Douglas Gilbert, an Oak Park local architect and historian, to craft a compelling application. His research cemented FitzGerald’s status as a historic site. For King and Duncan, the process was meticulous and nerve-wracking.
“The hardest part was the waiting,” Duncan acknowledged. “For two years, we were on the edge of our seats, hoping for a favorable outcome.”
Preservation has always been central to their mission, they said.
“We have done almost nothing to alter the property in any way; it sits as it was built over a hundred years ago,” Duncan said. “That’s part of this historic designation—to preserve its look, feel, and usage.”
Maintenance, like foundation and roof repairs, remains essential. Duncan noted that the designation will open doors for preservation grants and potential tax credit benefits.
But for Duncan, FitzGerald’s is more than a business venture; it’s deeply personal.
“I first came to see music here 25 years ago, and I fell in love with it,” he said.
After years in Chicago’s live music and hospitality industries, he and King took the leap when the FitzGerald family, who had run the venue for 40 years, sought to pass the torch.
“We spent 18 months deliberating,” he said. “It was what we were meant to do in our lives — to take this place over and build on the incredible legacy that had grown here, and try to keep it alive.”
Duncan noted that small clubs are important because they act as cultural incubators.
“Every great artist got their start at a small club. The Rolling Stones’ first gig was in a small club, so these are the places where true talent is developed,” he said. “They’re essential to our cultural landscape.”
King and Duncan plan to host an open house history experience on Jan. 28, inviting patrons to explore the venue’s rich legacy. They also plan an early spring community celebration to mark FitzGerald’s historic milestone with a plaque dedication.
“We have plans to invite the community and people who have helped us through this process. There will be a celebration for sure,” King said.
Nestled in Berwyn, FitzGerald’s has been a community cornerstone for over a century.
Its legacy is now cemented after it became the first music venue in Illinois to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Owners Will Duncan and Jess King worked toward the designation for two years.
In April 2023, King posted a vintage photo of FitzGerald’s on social media, sparking an outpouring of nostalgia from patrons.
“I went to the Berwyn Public Library looking for more photos,” she said. “That’s really when I discovered the full history. As I’m sitting there in the library, I’m seeing advertisements and news articles on this property going all the way back to the early 1900s, and it was just incredible.”
This revelation set the wheels in motion to nominate the venue for the National Register.
The research revealed surprising details, including FitzGerald’s connections to Prohibition-era mob activity.
“We have actual records of the mayor of Berwyn at the time—I think it was 1934—shutting this place down because this was the hangout of one of Al Capone’s top guys, Jack McGurn,” King said. She noted that records from the Library of Congress pointed to the property’s reputation during Prohibition, joking, “No comment on bad, but it’s one of the things that surprised us the most!”
The road to historic designation wasn’t easy.
“This was not a typical nomination,” King said. “The nominations for the National Register are mostly architectural, and this stands out as a 100% cultural nomination.”
Illinois’ Board of the National Register debated the venue’s merit, but ultimately acknowledged overwhelming community support — more than 90 letters from patrons.
“In the end, they did say that this place deserves to be on the National Register for its importance to people alone,” King said.
The venue was originally built as a dance hall.
“We know that for sure because it’s labeled that on a Sanborn map from the early 1900s,” King said.
During the jazz revival of the mid-20th century, FitzGerald’s became a beacon for musicians and fans alike. While specific names elude immediate recall, King promises their historical records include notable artists who graced its stage.
And during Prohibition, it became an athletic club before pivoting to a hunt club called “Deer Lodge,” which explains the deer heads on the walls.
The couple enlisted Douglas Gilbert, an Oak Park local architect and historian, to craft a compelling application. His research cemented FitzGerald’s status as a historic site. For King and Duncan, the process was meticulous and nerve-wracking.
“The hardest part was the waiting,” Duncan acknowledged. “For two years, we were on the edge of our seats, hoping for a favorable outcome.”
Preservation has always been central to their mission, they said.
“We have done almost nothing to alter the property in any way; it sits as it was built over a hundred years ago,” Duncan said. “That’s part of this historic designation—to preserve its look, feel, and usage.”
Maintenance, like foundation and roof repairs, remains essential. Duncan noted that the designation will open doors for preservation grants and potential tax credit benefits.
But for Duncan, FitzGerald’s is more than a business venture; it’s deeply personal.
“I first came to see music here 25 years ago, and I fell in love with it,” he said.
After years in Chicago’s live music and hospitality industries, he and King took the leap when the FitzGerald family, who had run the venue for 40 years, sought to pass the torch.
“We spent 18 months deliberating,” he said. “It was what we were meant to do in our lives — to take this place over and build on the incredible legacy that had grown here, and try to keep it alive.”
Duncan noted that small clubs are important because they act as cultural incubators.
“Every great artist got their start at a small club. The Rolling Stones’ first gig was in a small club, so these are the places where true talent is developed,” he said. “They’re essential to our cultural landscape.”
King and Duncan plan to host an open house history experience on Jan. 28, inviting patrons to explore the venue’s rich legacy. They also plan an early spring community celebration to mark FitzGerald’s historic milestone with a plaque dedication.
“We have plans to invite the community and people who have helped us through this process. There will be a celebration for sure,” King said.
