Before I hit my teens, I discovered a secret. It wasn’t hidden in a video game or a movie; it was tucked away on a street along the railroad tracks in downtown Bensenville.
I still remember those weathered brick buildings, the kind that define the Chicago area’s history. Among them was a small bookstore, north of the tracks, waiting to be found.
I was too young to spend time there on my own, so I only vaguely remember a couple of random visits there with my parents/siblings for unknown reasons to my memory. But I remember it vividly, along with the vibes and aesthetics I felt as I walked in.
The heart of the shop was a labyrinth of towering shelves, but the real treasures were tucked into those squeaky, wire-manned spinner racks. You couldn’t help but reach out and give them a flick, watching the blur of color until they slowed to a rhythmic click-click-click. They were stuffed with mass-market sci-fi paperbacks from the 70s and 80s—covers featuring silver spaceships, psychedelic alien landscapes, and heroes in chrome jumpsuits. The spines were creased and the pages had turned the color of a well-steeped tea bag, but they cost less than a bus pass.
That was the moment I fell in love with the written word, but it was just the beginning of my journey through the hidden gems of Bensenville.
The Bensenville Library: My Childhood Sanctuary
If the bookstore was the spark, the Bensenville Public Library was the flame. For a kid growing up in the area, the library wasn’t just a place for books—it was our headquarters.
I spent my summers pedaling my bike toward that building from late morning until dusk. It was the perfect midpoint between my house and my friends’ places. In the brutal Illinois summer heat, that outdoor water fountain was our oasis.
But we weren’t always “model” patrons. I still laugh thinking about:
- Getting kicked out with my cousin, Keith, for being way too loud over a giant board game.
- The infamous 8th-grade “computer ban” because my friends and I decided to print out an excessive amount of Wu-Tang propaganda.
We were just kids being kids, waiting for our turn to navigate the digital world on those borrowed computers.
A Masterpiece of Architecture and Nature
What makes the Bensenville library stand out—even today—is its unique Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture. As you pull into the parking lot, the “real world” seems to fade away. It’s a recluse, a brown flat building nestled against a patch of woods.
The design perfectly fuses nature with structure. The mix of wood and old brick stone gives it a “naturalesque” vibe that feels more like a forest retreat than a government building.
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Inside the Heart of the Library
The magic didn’t stop at the front door. I can still see it clearly:
- The Open Layout: Books line the walls in every direction under soaring, tall ceilings.
- The Centerpiece: A massive, magnificent fireplace to the left center that commands the entire room.
It is a place of peace and civility. Whether I was a child, a rowdy teen, or a young adult, those walls are where I first pulled out a notebook and realized I wanted to be a writer.
Why We Need to Visit Local Libraries
As I sit here typing this, the nostalgia is hitting hard. I realize how much that specific space shaped my love for nature, quiet, and knowledge. It’s more than just a building; it’s a writer’s haven.
I think it’s time I made plans to return. If you’re ever near the north side of the tracks in Bensenville, take a moment to stop by. You might just find your own sanctuary.
Thank you for visiting with me. For more Poetry or Literature related content, visit our blog at The Ritual. Copyright Mind on Fire Books.
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