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

Village of Oak Park

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 27, 2025

1. Village of Oak Park Marker

Inscription. 1902 CE

The Village of Oak Park is established

Erected 2012 by Park District of Oak Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 41° 53.066′ N, 87° 48.128′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on South Marion Street south of Pleasant Street. The stone is a part of the labyrinth located on the western edge of Mills Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 217 Home 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 25 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Herbert S. Mills (here, next to this marker);

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Pleasant Home (here, next to this marker); Mills Estate Purchase (here, next to this marker); Pleasant Home Foundation (here, next to this marker); Mills Park Labyrinth (here, next to this marker); The Kettlestrings (here, next to this marker); First European Settlers in Illinois (here, next to this marker); Potowatamie (a few steps from this marker); Oak Savanna (a few steps from this marker); Hunter Gatherers (a few steps from this marker); End of the Wisconsin Ice Age (a few steps from this marker); Oak Park Sand Spit (a few steps from this marker); Beginning of the Wisconsin Ice Age (a few steps from this marker); Mills Park and Pleasant Home (a few steps from this marker); Sabre Tooth Tigers (a few steps from this marker); The Age of Mammals (within shouting distance of this marker); Illinois Tulley Monster (within shouting distance of this marker); Amphibians (within shouting distance of this marker); Ancient Illinois Climate (within shouting distance of this marker); Cambrian Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Volcanoes (within shouting distance of this marker); Solar System (within shouting distance of this marker);

Mills Park labyrinth image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 27, 2025

2. Mills Park labyrinth

a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.

More about this marker. The stone is one of about 20 pavers in Mills Park that show the history of Oak Park from the dawn of the solar system through 2012. The pavers are part of a labyrinth embedded into the ground near the western entrance into Mills Park.

Regarding Village of Oak Park. The 4.7-square-mile Village of Oak Park was originally part of Cicero Township. Around the turn of the 20th century, the communities of Oak Park, Berwyn and Austin, amid much complicated legal maneuvering, voted to split off from Cicero; the first two became their own municipalities, and Austin was annexed into Chicago. Oak Park was officially incorporated as a village on January 25, 1902.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Mills Park Labyrinth marker page includes

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 27, 2025

3. Mills Park labyrinth

a list of all 21 stones in the labyrinth in chronological order

Also see . . .
1. Oak Park History: Our Split from Cicero (YouTube). In this video, historian David Sokol explains Oak Park's splitting off from Cicero Township to become its own village at the turn of the 20th century. (Submitted on March 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Proceedings Leading to the Incorporation of the Village of Oak Park. The court files related to Oak Park's establishment as a unique village on January 25, 1902. (Submitted on March 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 27, 2025

4. Mills Park labyrinth

A nearby historical marker says that the labyrinth's artistic style was inspired by the architect George W. Maher, who designed the Pleasant Home, located in this park.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 28, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3, 4. submitted on March 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.