Melrose Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
First School Building in Melrose Park, Illinois
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 1, 2025
1. First School Building in Melrose Park, Illinois Marker
Erected 1981 by Melrose Park Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 41° 53.488′ N, 87° 50.781′ W. Marker is in Melrose Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Lake Street east of 11th Avenue. The marker is next to the parking lot for the St. Paul Resale Store. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1025 Lake Street, Melrose Park IL 60160, 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,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Casa Jalisco (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jacob Bohlander House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Park District (approx. half a mile away); Bicentennial Bandstand (approx. half a mile away); Kiddieland Amusement Park (approx. half a mile away); Historic Lake Street (approx. 0.6 miles away); Joseph A. Maggio Baseball Field (approx. 0.6 miles away); Harry H. Nichols House (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melrose Park.
More about this marker. An 1893 bell, imprinted with "The Hy Stuckstede B F Co, St Louis Mo, 1893," sits a few feet away from the marker, and is presumed to be related to the 1889 school referenced on the plaque.
Regarding First School Building in Melrose Park, Illinois. The site today houses a resale store operated by St. Paul Lutheran Church, whose church building sits next door.
Also see . . .
1. Encyclopedia of Chicago: Melrose Park, IL.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 1, 2025
2. First School Building in Melrose Park, Illinois Marker and Bell
Excerpt: "By 1880 the population was barely 200, and in 1882 only 38 votes were cast to establish the village of Melrose. The village grew steadily during the 1880s, however, adding Park to its name in 1894. By the turn of the century it was home to 2,592 people."(Submitted on February 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Bell Foundries in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. A Henry Stuckstede bell sits next to this historical marker in Melrose Park.
Excerpt: "1892-1931, The Henry Stuckstede Bell Foundry Co. (often abbreviated as "THE HY STUCKSTEDE BELL FDY CO" on the largest bells or "B F CO" on smaller bells). While the company was apparently incorporated in 1888, when the new name began appearing in city directories, that name did not begin appearing on their bells until 1892. The reason for the delay is unknown."(Submitted on February 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
3. St. Paul Lutheran of Melrose Park official site. (Submitted on February 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 1, 2025
3. St. Paul Lutheran Church
The church building can be seen in the far background; the marker and accompanying bell are in the foreground.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 1, 2025
4. Bell at St. Paul Lutheran
The bell is imprinted with "The Hy Stuckstede B F Co, St Louis Mo, 1893."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
