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

James Russell Lowell School

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 30, 2024

1. James Russell Lowell School Marker

Inscription. James Russell Lowell School
1924
Oak Ridge School
1859

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 41° 53.315′ N, 87° 47.983′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Lake Street east of Forest Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is in the ground next to the sidewalk, to the east of the driveway to the 100 Forest Place building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Forest Avenue, Oak Park IL 60301, 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: Continental Divide (within shouting distance of this marker); The History of Austin Gardens

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(about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Austin Gardens Environmental Center (about 500 feet away); The Nineteenth Century Club (about 500 feet away); Fibonacci (about 600 feet away); Henrietta Lacks (about 600 feet away); Unity Temple (about 700 feet away); Austin Gardens Woodland Habitat (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.

Regarding James Russell Lowell School. Oak Ridge was the original name of the settlement at this location, which would later be called Oak Park and incorporated as a village in 1902. According to a 1972 article in the Oak Leaves newspaper, this original school building, the first in Oak Park, was made of brick and was actually located across Lake Street from the site of this historical marker (and the 1924 building). This original school site also was the first building used by Oak Park High School, which later established its own building further east down Lake Street. As Oak Park developed, the original Oak Ridge School was most commonly known as Central School until 1905, when it was renamed after James Lowell the American poet.

The 1924 the new Lowell

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 30, 2024

2. James Russell Lowell School Marker

School was completed as the crown jewel in Oak Park's school system, across the street from the original school on land that had been previously acquired for use as a playground. However, Oak Park's development quickly rendered the school unnecessary, as the neighborhood around it became a primarily commercial district (it is today known as Downtown Oak Park). The school closed in 1958, and for the next 14 years it was used as school district administrative offices and rented out to other organizations. In 1972, the building was sold to developers for $1.405 million, and the site today is occupied by a high rise.

Also see . . . History of Oak Park Elementary School District 97. (Submitted on January 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Site of Lowell School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 30, 2024

3. Site of Lowell School

The marker is obscured by cars.

Lowell School image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Oak Park School District 97

4. Lowell School

The 1924 Lowell School is shown in this photograph

Keystone-Mast Collection, UCR/California Museum of Photography, UC Riverside, circa 1927

5. Lowell School

Caption from Keystone Mast collection: "Classroom (8th B. Division) 'Lowell School.' Oak Park, Ill. this room shows the latest type desks, they have tops that can be adjusted in height and in tilting, also have drawers under the seats to hold the pupil's books."

Credits. This page was last revised on January 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.