Forest Park is a community that prides itself on its unique and fascinating history. Its location along the DesPlaines River made it ideal for early Potowatomi Indian settlement and later German and European immigrants came and decided that they too would build a town in which they could raise a family while earning a living. Being only a few miles from the city of Chicago, many could ride the train, which came to the Forest Park area in 1856, and head in to the city for employment and supplies. It's economy grew in the 1870s after several cemeteries were erected and people came from all over to bury loved ones within these sacred grounds. Taverns and restaurants, monument companies and undertakers soon incorporated.
Forest Park was originally part of a community that was made up of Oak Park and River Forest and named Oak Ridge. Later, it became known as Harlem in 1884 and held the area's first post office. It was renamed Forest Park in 1907 after it incorporated under its own government as another post office located near Rockford bore the same name. Forest Park was once home to an amusement park (1907-1922), torpedo plant (1941-1971) and local Parichy Bloomer Girls Stadium (1937-1954).
Today, Forest Park is home to over 14,000 residents; many of whom can trace their lineage in Forest Park back several generations. It is a vibrant town with a Main Street (Madison Street) that is filled with unique shops, restaurants and bars. Forest Park is a family-friendly community in which the Park District, Community Center and Public Library host many different activities and programs year-round.
The Historical Society of Forest Park is proud of its exhibit located at First United Church of Christ of Forest Park, 1000 Elgin Ave. This exhibit features displays on Forest Park's earliest beginnings, its schools, religious institutions and community organizations; as well as the Amusement Park, Race Track, Torpedo Plant and much, much more! This exhibit is open to the public every Saturday from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Persons of all ages and groups are welcome. There is a $5 per person charge for admittance with a $1 discount for all members. For more information, please contact the Historical Society at 708-232-3747 or email us at forestparkhistory1975@gmail.com.
Forest Park was originally part of a community that was made up of Oak Park and River Forest and named Oak Ridge. Later, it became known as Harlem in 1884 and held the area's first post office. It was renamed Forest Park in 1907 after it incorporated under its own government as another post office located near Rockford bore the same name. Forest Park was once home to an amusement park (1907-1922), torpedo plant (1941-1971) and local Parichy Bloomer Girls Stadium (1937-1954).
Today, Forest Park is home to over 14,000 residents; many of whom can trace their lineage in Forest Park back several generations. It is a vibrant town with a Main Street (Madison Street) that is filled with unique shops, restaurants and bars. Forest Park is a family-friendly community in which the Park District, Community Center and Public Library host many different activities and programs year-round.
The Historical Society of Forest Park is proud of its exhibit located at First United Church of Christ of Forest Park, 1000 Elgin Ave. This exhibit features displays on Forest Park's earliest beginnings, its schools, religious institutions and community organizations; as well as the Amusement Park, Race Track, Torpedo Plant and much, much more! This exhibit is open to the public every Saturday from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Persons of all ages and groups are welcome. There is a $5 per person charge for admittance with a $1 discount for all members. For more information, please contact the Historical Society at 708-232-3747 or email us at forestparkhistory1975@gmail.com.
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