Round Lake Illinois Business District on Cedar Avenue with Schlitz Beer Sign Real Photo Postcard

Cedar Avenue in Round Lake, Illinois, as depicted here, represents a quintessential American small-town commercial street during the interwar period, likely the late 1920s or early 1930s given the models of automobiles present. Round Lake itself experienced significant growth from the turn of the century into the 1920s, driven by its appeal as a summer resort area and later as a more permanent community, with Cedar Avenue serving as its primary hub for local businesses and daily life. The architectural styles of the buildings, featuring wood siding and more ornate facades, reflect common construction trends for commercial establishments in the region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This era saw the proliferation of the automobile, transforming town planning and commerce, as evidenced by the parked cars lining the street. Main streets like Cedar Avenue were crucial centers of community activity, housing essential services such as drug stores, general merchandise shops (indicated by signs like "DRUGS" and "RENEVAN'S"), and other small businesses that catered to both local residents and visitors. The presence of a Coca-Cola sign underscores the early establishment of national branding and consumer culture in even smaller American communities during this period.