Founder Information

Robert (Bob) Hoover was one of the Genoa citizens who met with others to organize the heritage society. He was born in Genoa in 1907 and raised there. Through the

years he dreamed of creating a museum for historical items he had collected in DeKalb County. These items were stored in many locations around Genoa, including his

home, garage and the basement of the Genoa State Bank, where he was president for 30 years. Bob retired from the Genoa State Bank in 1977.

As noted above, Bob

was very instrumental in the development of the museum. His first choice for location was the Pacific Hotel, which use to be the stage coach stop, hotel, and dry goods store in the mid 1800's .

The hotel was being used for other purposes in the early 1970's and was not available for a museum.

The possibility of obtaining the Depot was presented to Bob and after some consideration and several supporters preparing to move the Depot, Bob jumped aboard.

Bob is on the right in the white hat with Mr. and Mrs. Merl "Doc" Roberts on left.

During the remodeling of the depot, Bob paid for various building supplies and the construction of the fireplace

in the basement. At the time of his death in 1994, he left a portion of his estate to the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society for the support of the museum. Bob’s picture

is hanging on the East wall of the Depot.

At the March 1977 meeting of the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society, Bob Hoover was elected President of the society. Other officers included: Walter Cunny, Vice

President; Alice Paulson, Recording Secretary; Betsy Mahmoud, Membership Secretary; Meredith Barker, Treasurer.

R - L: Bob, Alice, Betsy, Walter, Meredith