Cherishing Our Past, Nurturing Our Future
The Historical Commission is interested in copies of photos you may have of Evergreen Park. Please contact Jerry Bosch at (708) 422-1551 (ext. 2385)
A Brief History of the Historical Commission
The Evergreen Park Historical Commission was established by Village Ordinance No. 16-2003 and approved by the Village Board of Trustees on July 7, 2003.
The Commission originally consisted of seven members and a chairman appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of the Village Board of Trustees. At its first regularly scheduled meeting on October 22, 2003, the Historical Commission formulated its goals and established four permanent committees which are: Preservation/ Landmarks, Museum/Archives, Historical Book and Fundraising/Development.
On March 31, 2004, the Historical Commission approved an Advisory Board to supplement a growing list of committee volunteers. Any Evergreen Park resident is welcome to join any of the four historical commission committees noted above.
Commission Goals
- Site Preservation/Landmark Designation.
- Creation of Historical Museum/Archives.
- Preparation of a written pictorial history of Evergreen Park.
- Seek funding and grants for Commission and Village in areas of historical significance.
- Establish a historical registry of homes and historical sites.
- Provide ongoing education programs to highlight Evergreen Park’s past, present, and future.
Commission Mission Statement
The mission of the Evergreen Park Historical Commission is threefold:
- To preserve the rich cultural history of Evergreen Park
- To establish an ongoing collection of data, artifacts, photos, and memorabilia related to the past, present, and future history of Evergreen Park; and
- To provide a multi-faceted educational network which will give all residents a deeper appreciation of Evergreen Park’s history, cultural heritage and traditions.
Significant Dates in Evergreen Park's History
1828 - First resident Blasius Schwer and family settle in area
1831 - Evergreen Park becomes part of unincorporated Cook County
1875 - First school built on-site of present Central Junior High
1893 - Village Incorporated. First Methodist Church established
1909 - Natural gas lines installed in Village
1921 - Evergreen Golf Course opens
1928 - New Central School opens
1930 - Little Company of Mary Hospital opens
1941 - First Catholic Church opens (Most Holy Redeemer)
1943 - Fiftieth Anniversary
1944 - First Public Library established
1949 - Northeast School built
1952 - Evergreen Plaza opens
1954 - Evergreen Park High School opens
1958 - New Village Hall dedicated
New Public Library opens
1967 - New Post Office opens
1968 - Seventy-Fifth Anniversary
1970 - Evergreen Park Recreation Department founded
1974 - Evergreen Park Office of Citizen Services founded
1990 - Village Hall designated as Anthony Vacco Administration Building
1993 - Centennial Celebration
1999 - New Fire Station Opened
2002 - Village Hall expansion completed
2001 - Yukich Field Dedicated
2003 - Evergreen Park Historical Commission established
2003 - Sale and Demolition of Martinique/Drury Lane complex
2006 - Purchased 1st Christian Reformed Church
2007 - 1st Christian Reformed Church designated as Senior Center/Historical Museum
2010 - Evergreen Golf Course sold to developer
2012 - West end of Golf Course now Village Park
2012 - Demolition of LCM Tower Building and opening of new wing
Thanks To Our Benefactors
Your generous contribution to the Evergreen Park Historical Commission will help the Historical Commission reach its goals, particularly to create an Historical Museum/Archives to preserve the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Evergreen Park. We appreciate your support and welcome your comments.
Commission Officers
Chairman - Jerry Bosch
Vice-Chairman - George Peso
Secretary - Kathy Vanduyenbroeck
Treasurer - John Sawyers
EX OFICIO MEMBERS:
Mayor James Sexton
Village Clerk Catherine Aparo
Village Trustees
Mary Keane
Carol Kyle
Mark Marzullo
Jim McQuillan
Mark Phelan
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS:
Terry Bosch
Jolene Churak
Ann Dykstra
Evanne Kennedy
Steve Ligda
Therese Montgomery
Tom Ollenburger
Frank Rose
Laura Shallow
Virginia Wrobel
Tony Yukich
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS:
Historical Book - Ann Dykstra/Virginia Wrobel
Historical Research - George Peso
Museum/Archives - Evanne Kennedy
Fundraising/Development - Steve Ligda,
Any inquires about the Historical Commission may be made by calling the Village Hall at (708)422-1551 (ext. 2385).
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