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

Dan Stratis

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 1, 2024

1. Dan Stratis Marker

Inscription. The class of '53 recognizes Dan Stratis for being Oak Park River Forest High School's all-time super fan. From his graduation in 1953 until his death in 1988, Dan missed only one home and away football game.

Erected by Oak Park and River Forest High School Class of 1953.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 41° 53.321′ N, 87° 47.424′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Lake Street east of Linden Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is over the entrance to a tunnel that goes between the front entrance of the Oak Park and River Forest High School football stadium and the field itself. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 South Scoville Avenue, Oak Park IL 60302, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ernest Hemingway Remembrance Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oak Park and River Forest High School World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oak Park Spanish-American War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Scoville Park is the Heart of Oak Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Scoville Park's Designer: Jens Jensen

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Continental Divide (approx. ¼ mile away); Come To The Table (approx. ¼ mile away); Peace Triumphant (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.

More about this marker. This marker is the only one known to be found at OPRF's 100-year-old stadium, which opened in September 1924 at a cost of $112,500 (equivalent to about $2 million in 2024 dollars).

Regarding Dan Stratis. Dan Stratis was a local realtor and business owner. According to his August 1988 obituary, Stratis had owned Leon's Restaurant in nearby Broadview, and was also the one-time owner of a candy shop that had been founded by his parents on the south side of Oak Park.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 1, 2024

2. Dan Stratis Marker

OPRF football stadium image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 5, 2024

3. OPRF football stadium

The marker is behind the entrance to the high school's football stadium. Reliefs at the top show two football players flanking another with the year of the structure's opening (1924).

Photographed by Sean Flynn, August 5, 2024

4. OPRF football stadium

The high school is to the east of the stadium. In the distance on the far right is the steeple of Pilgrim Congregational Church; built in 1889, Pilgrim's church building is the oldest structure in Oak Park continuously used for worship.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3, 4. submitted on August 5, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.