Historical Markers and War Memorials in Oak Park, Illinois
Chicago is the county seat for Cook County
Oak Park is in Cook County
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On Ontario Street at Humphrey Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Ontario Street.
This graceful and carefully treated stone parapet and cornice were saved from a distinctive Graystone two-flat building that once stood at 209 N. Humpbrey Avenue. When that Graystone was built here in 1902-03, urban refugees like first owner and . . . — — Map (db m227954) HM
On Lake Street at Maple Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Lake Street.
On this site in 1835, Joseph Kettlestrings and his
wife, Betty, first settlers of Oak Park, built their
cabin amid the oaks on "the only dry land between
Chicago and the Aux Plaines.” It later became an inn
called The Oak Ridge House, and was . . . — — Map (db m188769) HM
Honor Roll
That the memory of the boys of this community who gave their lives and their services in defense of their country and to perpetuate its ideals, shall live as an inspiration to courage and patriotism
Harry E Arnold ·
Robert W . . . — — Map (db m225225) WM
On Oak Park Avenue at Ontario Street, on the right when traveling south on Oak Park Avenue.
You are standing on a Continental Divide. Water falling on this line separates and runs to the west and to the east. To the west the water flows to the Des Plaines River in River Forest, on to the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and to the Gulf of . . . — — Map (db m230260) HM
On Lake Street east of Forest Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
You are standing on a Continental Divide. Water falling on this line separates and runs to the west and to the east. To the west the water flows to the Des Plaines River in River Forest, on to the Illinois and Mississippi rivers and to the Gulf . . . — — Map (db m237480) HM
On Berkshire Street at Elmwood Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Berkshire Street.
You are standing on a Continental Divide. Water falling on this line separates and runs to the west and to the east. To the west the water flows to the Des Plaines River in River Forest, on to the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and to the Gulf . . . — — Map (db m237481) HM
On Chicago Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
You are standing on a Continental Divide. Water falling on this line separates and runs to the west and to the east. To the west the water flows to the Des Plaines River in River Forest, on to the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and to the Gulf . . . — — Map (db m237482) HM
On North Avenue (Illinois Route 64) at Narragansett Avenue, on the right when traveling east on North Avenue.
You are standing on a Continental Divide. Water falling on this line separates and runs to the west and to the east. To the west the water flows to the Des Plaines River in River Forest, on to the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and to the Gulf of . . . — — Map (db m241781) HM
On Augusta Street just west of North Ridgeland Avenue, on the right. Reported damaged.
From 1914-17, author Edgar Rice Burroughs and his family lived in this house. Here he did most of his creative Oak Park work, writing at least 10 Tarzan and Mars stories. Although Tarzan of the Apes had been published in All-Story magazine in . . . — — Map (db m199116) HM
On North Kenilworth Avenue at Iowa Street, on the right when traveling north on North Kenilworth Avenue.
In this home
Ernest Hemingway
novelist and journalist
lived his boyhood years
and created his first literary efforts
1906 - 1920 — — Map (db m187757) HM
On North Scoville Avenue at Ontario Street, on the right when traveling south on North Scoville Avenue.
In remembrance of
Ernest M. Hemingway
Author, Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipient
Born in Oak Park July 21, 1899
Class of 1917
Oak Park & River Forest High School
A gift to the community from the Rotary Club of Oak Park . . . — — Map (db m224824) HM
Field Park and Center bears the name of Eugene Field, one of America's most beloved children's authors. Born on September 2, 1850 in St. Louis, Missouri, Field dabbled in acting and law before settling into a career in journalism.
After . . . — — Map (db m230700) HM
On Chicago Avenue at Forest Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Chicago Avenue.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
1889-1909
Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect
Frank Lloyd Wright's Oak Park Home and Studio
was his residence, studio and architectural
laboratory from 1889 to 1909. In this studio,
the architect . . . — — Map (db m188815) HM
On Ridgeland Avenue, 0.1 miles north of Jackson Boulevard, on the right when traveling north.
Walter C. Adams, 131st Inf. • Charles A. Gardiner, O.M. Corps • Frank J. Barnard, Med. Corps • Frank A. Howe, 28th Inf. • Elray A. Blake, M.T. Corps • Howard W. Jauch, 131st Inf. • Walter E. Capps, 6th Marines • Tom P. Kester, Engineers • Hedley . . . — — Map (db m230102) WM
Near South Kenilworth Avenue, 0.1 miles north of Fillmore Street, on the left when traveling north.
Arthur J. Evans • Joseph F. Powers, U.S. Navy • Marshall W. Foote, 10th F.A. • James Douglas Rivet, 61st Inf. • Harry A. Gross, Jr., 120th Inf. • Amos Bradford Whittle, Aviation Corps • Cecil F. Kaye, C.A. Corps • Lester T. Widman, U.S. Navy — — Map (db m230103) WM
On Lake Street just east of Taylor Street, on the right when traveling east.
Elmer J. Bishoff, 5th Field Sig. Bn. • Arthur D. Mott, Jr. 154th Engrs. • William F. Creighton, 7th Bn. Marines • Richard R. Shea, 27th Bn. Can. Forces • Lloyd Havens Ghislin, Q.M. Corps • Frank A. Sturtevant, 128th Inf. • George Henry Grimm, . . . — — Map (db m230104) WM
Near Division Street west of Woodbine Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
N.B. Anagnostopulos, C.A. Corps • Edwards H. Berry, 6th F.A. • Walter H. Chandler, 1st Cav. • Sydney L. Crowley, 28th Inf. • John Knowlton Fisk, Princess Pats. • Harry M. Helmick, 123d F.A. •
Harmon P. Hook, Aviation Corps • Louis F. Katzel, . . . — — Map (db m230683) WM
On Hayes Street, 0.1 miles Chicago Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Howard W. Andrews, Q.M. Corps • Henry J. La Jeunesse, 128th Inf. • Gunnar Dahl, 6th Marines • John R. Marchant, 13st Inf. • William Dingle, 6th Marines • David L. Thor, 6th Marines • David L. Hermanson, 116th F.A. • Preston E. Tupper, Aviation Corps — — Map (db m231145) WM
On Forest Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Pres. Illinois Equal Suffrage Assn 1912-1920. Led state campaign for ratification of suffrage amendment. Former home on this site. — — Map (db m185002) HM
On North Elmwood Avenue at Division Street, on the right when traveling north on North Elmwood Avenue.
This park named in his honor
commemorates the work of
Henry A. Taylor
first president of the Park District
of Oak Park
1912 - 1927
— — Map (db m226507) HM
On South Cuyler Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet famous for his lyrical poetry that was often based on mythology and legend. He was considered the most popular American poet of his time, and his work was also appreciated in Europe.
Henry . . . — — Map (db m232682) HM
In 1837, Joseph and Betty Kettlestrings paid $215.98 for 173 acres of land west of a nascent
Chicago. It is unlikely they could have envisioned that their settlement would evolve into the
Village of Oak Park; now a thriving community of 52,000 . . . — — Map (db m188624) HM
This tablet marks the spot
where stood the home of
Joseph Kettlestrings
the first White settler in Oak Park,
this ground being a portion of the
quarter section of land which he
purchased from the United States
Government in the year 1833 . . . — — Map (db m189041) HM
Near North Marion Street north of Greenfield Street, on the right when traveling north.
Welcome to the Lindberg Park Native Plant Trial and Demonstration Gardens, a showcase of the usefulness, aesthetic beauty, and impact that native perennial plants can have when used in a landscape. Designed in the 1930's by Gustav A. Lindberg, . . . — — Map (db m230712) HM
Near North Marion Street south of Le Moyne Parkway, on the right when traveling north.
Welcome to the Lindberg Park Native Plant Trial and Demonstration Gardens, a showcase of the usefulness, aesthetic beauty, and impact that native perennial plants can have when used in a landscape. Designed in the 1930's by Gustav A. Lindberg, . . . — — Map (db m230726) HM
On Harvey Avenue at Madison Street on Harvey Avenue.
The mural you see to the left, was inspired by the work of Longfellow Elementary School art students in 2000.
Artist Mirtes Zwierzynski together with Longfellow School's art teacher Chris Worley, students, and PTO gathered to create an . . . — — Map (db m235458) HM
We acknowledge that Mann Elementary and the entire Oak Park community are on the traditional territory of the Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi), Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Miami, Oeti Šakówi (Sioux), and Peoria peoples. We honor the ongoing contributions of . . . — — Map (db m233238) HM
Near Pleasant Street, 0.1 miles west of Home Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
You are standing at the north entrance to Mills Park. Just ahead is Pleasant Home, a National Historic Landmark that was originally constructed for the John Farson family in 1897. The Farsons regularly gathered family and friends in the mansion . . . — — Map (db m231252) HM
On Home Avenue south of Pleasant Street, on the right when traveling south.
Originally, all of Mills Park was owned by banker and philanthropist John Farson. Second owner Herbert Mills was the inventor of the first coin-operated slot machine. The Mills Family sold the estate, including Pleasant Home, to the Park District . . . — — Map (db m231420) HM
Near South Marion Street north of Pleasant Place, on the left when traveling south.
This southwest corner of the park features a Discovery Zone for park visitors of all ages to explore and reconnect with nature. Mills Park's original owner John Farson was known for his fun, eclectic spirit, and this area reflects his sense of . . . — — Map (db m231421) HM
On Home Avenue at Pleasant Street, on the right when traveling south on Home Avenue.
Architecture
The interior of Pleasant Home boasts glorious art glass windows, ornate wood hand carvings, delicate mosaic floors and beautiful brass and glass light fixtures. There are nine fireplaces, five bedrooms, and many original . . . — — Map (db m231424) HM
You are now in the heart of the 4.5 acre Mills Park, where grand gardens, a carriage house and fountain once stood. John Farson welcomed 2,000 guests to his glorious Rose Fete here. This event featured an operetta amid a landscape studded with . . . — — Map (db m231425) HM
On Forest Avenue north of Lake Street, on the left when traveling north.
Completed in 1895, this is Frank Lloyd Wrights'
first independent commission in Oak Park after
Wright left the offices of Adler and Sullivan in 1893.
On December 23 1922, at 2:24 am, a spectacular fire
destroyed the third and fourth floors of . . . — — Map (db m180728) HM
On Westgate Street, 0.1 miles east of Harlem Avenue (Illinois Route 43), on the right when traveling west.
This plaque commemorates and honors the strength and courage of Black Oak Park residents who established and built Mount Carmel Baptist Church at this location in 1905, which stood until 1930. Originally, the Church had purchased a property on . . . — — Map (db m241199) HM
Near Madison Street west of South Taylor Street, on the right when traveling east.
Oak Park was incorporated as a village November Fifth, 1901. The first president and board of trustees was elected December Seventeenth, 1901, and the first village board meeting was held on January Second, 1902. To all those officials who have so . . . — — Map (db m233468) HM
In Memoriam
1917 - 1918
To the boys of this school who gave their lives for freedom's cause.
Howard Watson Andrews, died in France, February 6, 1919. • Edwards Hall Berry, 1st Lieutenant, died en route to France, October 29, 1918. • Earl . . . — — Map (db m246653) WM
On Garfield Street west of East Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Oak Park Conservatory
has been listed in the
National Register of
Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
March 8, 2005 — — Map (db m244445) HM
On North Boulevard at North Marion Street, on the right when traveling east on North Boulevard.
In 1848 the first train on the Chicago and Galena Union Railroad
came west from Chicago to a location near this spot and carried a
load of wheat back to the city, establishing a transportation link of
immense importance to Oak Park and the . . . — — Map (db m180894) HM
On Lake Street at Lombard Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Lake Street.
Oak Park River Forest Museum opened in this building in 2017 as the new home of The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest after the organization raised more than $1 million in private donations to bring new life to this vacant and . . . — — Map (db m232791) HM
Erected by the Citizens
of Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois
in honor of the men of this community
who took part in the World War
1914-1918
Cambrai
Sommes Defensive
Lys Aisne
Montdidier-Noyon
Champagne-Marnes
Aisne-Marnes . . . — — Map (db m189453) WM
Percy L. Julian
(1899 - 1975)
Dr. Julian was a research chemist who
achieved international recognition as
millions benefited from his
groundbreaking work in synthesizing
chemicals from the calabar bean and
soybean plants. These . . . — — Map (db m187751) HM
On Home Avenue at Pleasant Street, on the left when traveling north on Home Avenue.
Pleasant Home is a National Historic Landmark designed by prominent Prairie School architect George W. Maher in 1897. It is one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of Prairie School architecture. The richly artistic interior features . . . — — Map (db m231423) HM
On North Humphrey Avenue south of Chicago Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
This home was built in 1911 by Clarence James for his bride-to-be, Tannisse Gardner. The future President of the United States' mother,
Tannisse's sister, Dorothy Gardner King, brought him here as a newborn - originally named Leslie Lynch King Jr. . . . — — Map (db m245348) HM
On Ontario Street at North Cuyler Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Ontario Street.
Also known as Ontario Street School and renamed Beye School in 1896 to honor school board member William Beye, who was instrumental in getting the first school built to serve this neighborhood — — Map (db m229021) HM
In memory of
PFC Robert Emmett Murphy USMC
Killed in action on Saipan in the Pacific-WW II
He gave his life for our freedom
We miss you, Bob
Your friends at Carroll & Lincoln
July 26, 1925 - July 8, 1944 — — Map (db m226939) WM
On Chicago Avenue west of North Euclid Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Founder of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Bobbie played a key role in devising and implementing what became a national model for achieving a racially diverse community without subsequent re-segregation. The Housing Center marketed Oak Park . . . — — Map (db m232992) HM
Located in the center of Oak Park, Scoville Park serves as both the figurative and
geographic center of Oak Park. It was the first park established after the creation of the
Park District of Oak Park in 1912, and was named after former landowner . . . — — Map (db m188251) HM
Scoville Park was designed in 1913 by Jens Jensen, an influential
landscape architect known for his use of native plants and naturalistic
elements. Born in Denmark in 1860, Jensen was raised on his family's
farm where he developed an early . . . — — Map (db m188073) HM
On North Austin Boulevard near Lake Street, on the left when traveling north.
Historic Boulevard Apartments
Circa 1923
St. James Apartments
Constructed in response to an
ever-increasing demand for
quality housing in the young &
growing community of Oak Park
These apartments featured
• Large heated . . . — — Map (db m230896) HM
On South East Avenue at Van Buren Street, on the right when traveling south on South East Avenue.
†
John & Cecilia Brennan have erected
this image of Our Blessed Lady
in loving memory of their beloved son
Staff Sargeant John Thomas Brennan
who was born on the 9th of April 1920,
was mortally wounded in combat
on the 14th of January . . . — — Map (db m234196) WM
On Division Street at Elmwood Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Division Street.
Jens Jenson
Originally named "North Park" when purchased by the Park District of Oak Park in 1912, this 11.75 acre park site was later renamed after Park District Commissioner Henry A. Taylor. The park sits atop one of several continental . . . — — Map (db m226510) HM
On Hayes Street, 0.1 miles south of Division Street, on the right when traveling north.
Even though Hans Christian Andersen lived over 100 years ago, and wrote tales to relate to children in his day, it's pleasantly surprising how many children (and adults) still find his fairy tales enjoyable. In fact, you are probably more familiar . . . — — Map (db m231250) HM
On Hayes Street, 0.1 miles Division Street, on the right when traveling north.
Did you know Hans Christian Andersen is credited with writing the first ever original fairy tale? Before 1835, all fairy tales were part of folk legend, meaning they had been handed down generation to generation in the oral tradition. Authors like . . . — — Map (db m231251) HM
From the earliest days of Oak Park, members of the Austin family were among
the community's most respected leaders. Henry Austin, Sr. came to what is
now Oak Park in 1859, buying a large parcel of land lacated between Lake and
Ontario Streets and . . . — — Map (db m185278) HM
On Hayes Street, 0.1 miles south of Division Street, on the right when traveling north.
Did you know that Oak Park's Andersen Park is named for one of the world's most beloved storytellers? Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author of many fairy tales you likely know.
His keen ability to see the world from a child's . . . — — Map (db m230808) HM
On Forest Avenue near Ontario Street, on the right when traveling north.
The Nineteenth Century Club, established in 1891 by bold visionary women, built this space in 1928 to promote their mission as an educational, charitable and civic center. Today this Landmark building serves as a nonprofit community center and a . . . — — Map (db m235585) HM
On Kenilworth Avenue just south of Lake Street, on the right when traveling north.
In 1905, the Unity Church of Oak Park, home to a Universalist congregation, was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. The congregation commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design a new building for them.
Wright's bold design with its . . . — — Map (db m227636) HM
On Lake Street, 0.1 miles east of Kenilworth Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Unity Temple, as part of the 20th-century architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, has been inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Inscription confirms that this property deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity because of its . . . — — Map (db m227931) HM
"In heartfelt memory of Warren Cooney (1928-2002),
who managed the Oak Park-River Forest PONY team to the World
Championship in Washington, PA on August 28, 1960. He inspired
the team, which won despite the loss of its very first district . . . — — Map (db m230681) HM
Located in the very center of Scoville Park, "Peace
Triumphant” was erected in 1925 to honor the veterans
of World War I who hailed from Oak Park and River
Forest. No tax money was involved in its original
construction, residents raised nearly . . . — — Map (db m189255) HM
