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

Thomas A. Edison

1847 — 1931

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 24, 2024

1. Thomas A. Edison Marker

Inscription. His belief in free enterprise and his inventive spirit enriched our lives

Erected 1979 by Edison Norwood O'Hare Kiwanis Club.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 42° 0.238′ N, 87° 49.058′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Edison Park. It is on North Northwest Highway, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in front of Edison Park Fieldhouse, to the right of the main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6755 North Northwest Highway, Chicago IL 60631, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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: Edison Park World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Wingert House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Alfonso Ianelli (approx. ¾ mile away); Park Ridge Camp Fire Girls (approx. ¾ mile away); Milestones of History (approx. ¾ mile away); Edmund F. Bentley (approx. ¾ mile away); Pvt. Henry J. Ziegenbein (approx. ¾ mile away); Sgt. Emmons Harries (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

sectionhead>More about this marker. Edison Park the neighborhood actually predates the park. The fieldhouse was originally Ebinger School, which opened in 1907 and was named after the area's first white settler. The land was leased to the Chicago Park District in 1936, which renamed the whole parcel Edison Park a year later. The Park District officially acquired the park and field house from Chicago Public Schools in 1986. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

Regarding Thomas A. Edison. This marker is dedicated to Edison's unique connection to his namesake community on Chicago's far northwest side, about 14 miles from downtown Chicago. In the 1890s, this community, encompassing neighborhoods previously known as Canfield and Ridgelawn, was renamed in honor of the famed inventor — apparently with his blessing — in a nod to its boast as Chicago's "first electric suburb." Over the next three decades it would be annexed piecemeal into Chicago as one of its northern- and westernmost neighborhoods.

Also see . . .
1. Encyclopedia of Chicago: Edison Park. From the Chicago Historical Society (Submitted on August 25, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Edison (Thomas Alva) Park. The official page from the Chicago Park District (Submitted on August 25, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Edison Park Fieldhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 24, 2024

2. Edison Park Fieldhouse

The Edison marker is to the right of the walkway into the fieldhouse.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.