Cicero in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

T.G. Masaryk Czech School

5701 W. 22nd Place

— 1921 – Present —

T.G. Mazaryk Czech School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 18, 2024

1. T.G. Mazaryk Czech School Marker

Inscription. Named to honor the first President of an independent Czechoslovakia, the Thomas G. Masaryk Czech School opened at this site amidst elaborate ceremonies on September 4, 1921. It was established by the Freethinkers Bohemian School Association, a group of immigrants who adopted a charter in 1872 and were incorporated by the state of Illinois March 12, 1897. Property was acquired on the southwest corner of 22nd Place and 57th Avenue in the Morton Park community of Cicero beginning in 1908, with the cornerstone of the new structure dedicated on May 8, 1921.

The building has been used for cultural, fraternal and educational purposes, including teaching the Czech language. There are two classrooms at the first floor, a book room and an apartment on the second floor, with a library and a classroom on the third. For nearly a century, the T. G. Masaryk School has been a vibrant symbol of the important role played by Czech immigrants and their offspring in the history of the Town of Cicero.

Erected 2012 by Town of Cicero.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Immigration. A significant historical date for this entry is September 4, 1921.

Location. 41° 50.999′ N, 87° 45.99′ W. Marker is in Cicero, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker

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is at the intersection of West 22nd Place and 57th Avenue, on the left when traveling west on West 22nd Place. The marker is next to the north entrance to T.G. Masaryk School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5701 West 22nd Place, Cicero IL 60804, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named T.G. Masaryk Czech School (a few steps from this marker); Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Parish (approx. half a mile away); George Washington 200th Anniversary (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named George Washington 200th Anniversary (approx. 0.8 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Cicero Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); Site of Cicero Town Hall (approx. one mile away); Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cicero.

More about this marker. An identical marker is around the corner near the east entrance to the building. At least a few more markers of this style—blue with white or yellow text, with the seal of the Town of Cicero at the top and Larry Dominick, the town president since 2005, named at the bottom—can be found around Cicero, including one at the old Town Hall and another at Mary Queen of Heaven Church.

Regarding T.G. Masaryk Czech School. The

T.G. Masaryk Czech School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 18, 2024

2. T.G. Masaryk Czech School

The marker is visible to the left of the door. An identical marker is just around the corner, facing east.

school opened in 1921 in response to a new rule at Cicero's public schools that disallowed Czech language classes that had previously been taught in the schools on weekends. Cicero at the time, according to a history of the school, was 70% Czech. Although the Czech population is much smaller in Cicero today, Masaryk School remains open as of 2024 as a Czech cultural center, offering classes for children and adults on Czech language, history and culture.

Also see . . .
1. History of T.G. Masaryk School. (Submitted on April 18, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Tomáš Masaryk, president of Czechoslovakia. From Britannica, a brief biography of Tomáš Masaryk, who served as primary founder and first president of Czechoslovakia. (Submitted on April 18, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 18, 2024

3. T.G. Masaryk Czech School

Both markers are visible in this photo, taken from the corner of 22nd Place and 57th Avenue.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.