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

5953 W. Cermak

Central Federal Savings and Loan Association; 1892-Present

— Historic Site —

5953 W. Cermak Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 30, 2025

1. 5953 W. Cermak Marker

Inscription. Central Federal was founded in 1892 as the Jungman Building and Loan Association by seven Czech-Americans in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood to serve the needs of their fellow immigrants in a new land. Surviving the Great Depression, it relocated to Cicero in the vicinity of Laramie Ave. and 25th Street in 1934 and was renamed Central Federal Savings & Loan. In 1939 the business moved to its present site on the southwest corner of Austin Boulevard and Cermak Rd.

Beginning in 1955 the association expanded with the acquisition of adjoining properties on Cermak Rd., followed by the establishment of branches in Berwyn, Bolingbrook and Des Plaines. Today, Central Federal remains an important part of the financial, commercial and civic life of Cicero.

Erected by Town of Cicero.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 41° 51.039′ N, 87° 46.385′ W. Marker is in Cicero, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Cermak Road (22nd Street) east of Austin Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 5953 West Cermak Road, Cicero IL 60804, 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: T.G. Masaryk Czech School (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named T.G. Masaryk Czech School (approx. 0.3 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); George Washington 200th Anniversary (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named George Washington 200th Anniversary (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Church in the Town of Cicero (approx. ¾ mile away); Lincoln the Friendly Neighbor (approx. 0.8 miles away); Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Parish (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cicero.

Also see . . . Central Federal Savings: Our History.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 30, 2025

2. 5953 W. Cermak Marker

Excerpt: “The first meeting place of the members was located at 401 W. 18th St in Chicago, Illinois. Interestingly, the original Charter and By Laws from 1892, which are still in safekeeping at Central Federal, state 'All transactions in the meeting shall be carried on in Bohemian language, but should there be more members not able to understand Bohemian, it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to give an explanation of the transaction in English or German.'”

(Submitted on January 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 30, 2025

3. 5953 W. Cermak Marker

Central Federal Savings building at the corner of Austin and Cermak image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 30, 2025

4. Central Federal Savings building at the corner of Austin and Cermak

The marker is off camera to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 61 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.