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4 S. Edward Street – George Whittenberg House
George Whittenberg, who once lived in this house, dedicated his life to serving the citizens of Mount Prospect. He was the town’s second police chief, a charter member of the Mount Prospect Historical Society and a member of the Lion’s Club.
In
1917 the law enforcement in Mount Prospect was left to a few officials without a
truly organized police force. It wasn’t until 1924 that a police force was
established with their station at Evergreen and Maple. The first officers were
also a part of the water and streets department and would often fill both
positions. George Whittenberg entered the force and became the town’s first
motorcycle policeman in 1932. At the time, there were only two policemen in
town, him and William Mulso, the first police chief. In 1937 Whittenberg was
offered the position of police chief. He served in this position until 1965.
When George Whittenberg accepted the position of police chief, the force still consisted of only two officers, but by this time, they were no longer a part of the water and streets department. In 1947 the police station was moved to 112 E. Northwest Highway. Under the direction of Whittenberg, the police force grew as the town prospered. His commitment to the town was remembered by the Lions Club in 1975 shortly after his death. A waterfall was dedicated to him beneath the water tower, on the site of the first police station.