If you guessed the costumed kids in the picture were lining up for the annual Halloween parade in downtown Lake Zurich, then you were correct.

Back in 1947, or so, after lunch, students from May Whitney School would put on their costumes and head to the front of Gene Frank's News Agency, according to Ron Frank. They got their candy when they returned to school after the parade.

Police stopped traffic while the parade was in progress, recalled Frank. The students paraded down Main Street to Old Rand Road and then would head back until they reached May Whitney School.

The store in the photo, although called a news agency, featured a marble soda fountain with stools in front and the back half was a beer bar, according to Frank, who's father owned it then. There were also comic books, magazines and newspapers and lots of milk in a large cooler. It was really more of a general store.

There was even one wall that had slot machines, which were legal in Lake County then. Gene Frank owned the store until about 1955. Then it became Brown's News Agency. The place got a full liquor license then.

It lasted until the early 60s and then became the B&L Liquor Store. B&L stood for Bruce and Leon, the then owners, but Frank doesn't recall their last names. B&L closed its doors just two years ago.

The Ela Historical Society welcomes your questions, donations and participation in this column.

Bringing Back the Past appears every Saturday  with the "History Mystery" photo contest and then on Sunday to provide the answer.