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Close-up of the Western Springs, Illinois souvenir mug featuring hand-drawn hometown landmarks

Hand-drawn hometown collection

The Western Springs Mug

A hand-drawn celebration of Western Springs, available exclusively at Clever Girl.

Directions to Clever Girl

15 oz ceramic mugMicrowave safeDishwasher safe

Community
Western Springs, Illinois
Exclusive local shop
Clever Girl907 Burlington Ave
Western Springs, IL 60558Available in store onlyGet directions
Store hours
Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: ClosedCheck current hoursChecked September 14, 2026. Holiday, seasonal, and special-event hours may vary.
The Western Springs Mug: front view

Community

Western Springs, Illinois

Western Springs is a close-knit village known for tree-lined neighborhoods, a welcoming downtown, and traditions centered around its iconic water tower. Spring Rock Park, the Theatre of Western Springs, Tower Green, and the Metra station make community life feel connected and familiar.

The collaboration

Family visits and a Village Hall invitation.

My cousins lived in Western Springs, and because I grew up in nearby Brookfield, our family spent many happy times there, including visits to the pool. My dad also attended Lyons Township High School, adding another family connection to the area.

The Village of Western Springs originally approached me about creating a community mug. I was especially excited because of those personal ties. The women at Village Hall helped identify the places and details that belonged in the design, making it a genuinely local collaboration.

The iconic water tower was especially fun to draw. The mug now sells at Clever Girl, and it has been wonderful working with Katie and her staff in such a beautiful community.

The story behind the mug

From familiar places to The Western Springs Mug.

  1. Clever Girl shares the community story

  2. The character of the place comes into focus

  3. Western Springs takes shape

  4. One community story from every side

  5. Available through Clever Girl

Inside the illustration

Western Springs details, drawn by hand.

01

Western Springs Water Tower

Built in 1892, Western Springs’ iconic water tower now houses a museum devoted to the village’s history.

02

Theatre of Western Springs

Founded by resident Mary Cattell in 1929, the Theatre of Western Springs carries on a longstanding tradition of community theatre.

03

Spring Rock Park

Spring Rock Park is Western Springs Park District’s flagship recreation space and the area associated with the village’s original mineral springs.

04

Western Springs Metra Station

Western Springs’ downtown Metra stop connects the village to Chicago’s Loop on the BNSF railway corridor.

05

Downtown Western Springs

Downtown Western Springs centers village life around its historic water tower, Tower Green, and the BNSF commuter rail connection to Chicago.

06

Tower Green

Tower Green surrounds Western Springs’ historic water tower on land donated in 1892 for a water tower and public park.

Artist Ashley Ann’s hand-drawn process for The Western Springs Mug
The hand-drawn process behind The Western Springs Mug
Close-up of the Western Springs, Illinois souvenir mug featuring hand-drawn hometown landmarks

Journal · Behind the drawing

Western Springs in Our Family's Childhood Map

Cousins and visits from Brookfield made this town part of my early memories.

Read the story

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