Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Central Park
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
1. Central Park Marker
In 1931, when Maine East High School was completed, the building became the Des Plaines Junior High School. In 1954, it was renamed Thacker Junior High School.
In 1968, the building was torn down and replaced by Iroquois Junior High School at 1836 E. Touhy.
The land is still owned by Community Consolidated School District #62. The park is maintained by the Des Plaines Park District.
Erected 2013.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 42° 2.234′ N, 87° 53.141′ W. Marker is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on East Thacker Street 0.1 miles west of River Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the northern edge of Central Park. Touch for map.
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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: World War I Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frederick Ladendorf (about 600 feet away); John Markgraff (about 600 feet away); George Cook (about 600 feet away); Anthony Biba (about 600 feet away); Ernst Beth (about 600 feet away); Ernest Mensching (about 600 feet away); Elmer Zaleski (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.
More about this marker. Central Elementary School is across the street. The replacement for Maine Township High School, now called Maine East High School, is about 1½ miles east of this location.
Also see . . .
1. Maine Township High School District 207 history.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 2025
2. Central Park Marker
Excerpt: "By the mid-1920s, a growing student population prompted plans for a new building. Land was purchased at Dempster and Potter Road in Park Ridge, a site chosen for its central location and accessibility for residents of both Des Plaines and Park Ridge. Residents approved the construction of a $650,000 school. However, the stock market crash of 1929 threatened the planned opening of the new school until Principal Charles Himel convinced the Board of Education and community that the new school should be opened on time (March 1930) because the youth of the township deserved the benefit of education in the contemporary building that was nearing completion. Open on time it did, a state-of-the-art facility known until 1959 as Maine Township High School."(Submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Daily Herald: Historical marker unveiled in Des Plaines' Central Park. An article about the unveiling of the historical marker in December 2013.
Excerpt: "Earlier this month, Marion Lutz, part of the Des Plaines Junior High School graduating class of 1932, unveiled a marker recalling the sites(Submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)history at a dedication ceremony attended by community leaders and several graduates of Des Plaines Junior High School."Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 21, 20253. Rear view of Central Park MarkerCentral Elementary School can be seen across the street.
Courtesy of Maine Township High School District 207, February 28, 2022
4. Maine Township High School (1902-1930)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 23, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
