Park Ridge History Center
History: The Park Ridge History Center is located in Solomon Cottage. Built in 1908, Solomon Cottage was the first building to be constructed on the site of the Park Ridge campus of the Illinois Industrial School for Girls. Located in what is now Prospect Park, Solomon Cottage is on the National Register of Historic Places. Another part of our history that is located in Prospect Park is the Sunny Gate. The Sunny Gate was recently restored and is now a feature of the park, located in front of Wohler’s Hall. The history of Sunny Gate can be found on our website.
Sponsor: Board of Trustees – Park Ridge Historical Society
Artist: Aidan Gentile
History: Hodges Park is home to the historic Campfire Girls Fountain. In 2007 the Park Ridge Heritage Committee coordinated the restoration of the fountain and added a ring of “milestones” that highlight important points in the history of our city.
Sponsor: Sue Hall @Properties
“Sue Hall is a dedicated real estate professional who has served her clients passionately for over 37 years. Sue has been the top agent for Century 21 Elm, Realtors, as well as the #1 Century 21 Agent in Illinois. She has been honored each year by Five Star Professional since its inception 11 years ago. Sue is a member of MRED, Realtor Association of Northwest Chicagoland, Illinois Association of Realtors, and National Association of Realtors.”
Artist: Mark Zimmerman
History: In 1913 the first Park Ridge Public Library opened at the corner of Touhy, Prospect and Northwest Highway. The Carnegie Foundation provided funds for the construction of the first library, which still stands today. In 1958 a new library was constructed across the street, at 20 S. Prospect Ave. The most recent book on Park Ridge history is Park Ridge: Milestones of History by Milton E. Nelson. Copies of this book can be purchased at the Park Ridge History Center.
Sponsor: Kiki Calumet – A & N Mortgage
“As a mortgage banker, A and N Mortgage Services, Inc., offers a wealth of different loan programs. And because everything is managed under one roof (ours!) — from application to funding — the loan process is streamlined. So you get fast, efficient service and the best rates available. Plus exceptional customer care. A and N has been listed as one of the top 100 mortgage companies two years in a row and we have an A+ credit rating with the BBB for ten years running.”
Artist: Alayna Mckim
History: Park Ridge has been home to many famous artists and artisans including Alphonso Iannelli, Grant Wood, Albert Henry Krehbiel, the artists of the Kalo Arts Crafts Community and others.
Sponsor: Mario DiLorenzo – Keller Williams ONE Chicago
“The Mario DiLorenzo Team is a top producing group out of Keller Williams Chicago O’Hare. They specialize in real estate sales on the northwest side of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The team prides itself on providing sellers and buyers with the industry’s best customer service, expertise, and communication.”
Artist: Kathy Hurley, Mary Ann Tunnell & Peadar Hurley
History: Our City has had three names, Pennyville in 1854, Brickton in 1857 and Park Ridge became the official name in 1873.
Sponsor: Morici, Longo & Associates Attorneys at Law
“Morici, Longo & Associates was founded in 1998 by partner James J. Morici Jr., one of Illinois’ most accomplished practitioner in the areas of plaintiffs’ personal injury and workers’ compensation law. Our legal practice focuses on cases involving personal injury, including construction site injuries; product liability; automobile negligence; railroad, aviation and other transportation-related injuries; premises liability; and workplace-related injuries.”
Artist: Miranda Randel
History: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, also know as Mother Cabrini lived for a time on farm in Park Ridge. The farm produced food that helped feed the poor that Mother Cabrini served.
Sponsor: Resurrection College Prep High School
“Since 1922 Resurrection College Prep High School has been focused on developing strong, capable women. As the largest all-girls school on the north side of Chicago, Resurrection offers a rigorous and challenging education for all students in a supportive environment. Resurrection is large enough to offer a broad curriculum where the needs of all students can be met, from the most challenging Advanced Placement classes to available learning support services.”
Artist: Jill Pinsky
History: The Pickwick Theater is a well known landmark in Park Ridge and the greater Chicagoland area. No one can pass this magnificent theater and not appreciate the amazing Art Deco design of this historic theater. Built in 1928, the Pickwick is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sponsor: Seattle Sutton of Park Ridge
“Our focus since day one has been on helping our customers learn to eat healthy in order to live healthy. We were founded in 1985 by Seattle Sutton, a registered nurse who worked in her husband’s Marseilles, Illinois, medical practice for 22 years. Looking for ways to help Dr. Sutton’s patients learn how to eat properly to battle health issues and recover from illness, the idea for Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating – nutritious, pre-prepared meals delivered directly to the home – was born.”
Artist: Abby Pinkerton
History: Park Ridge’s vertical street signs are unique. The cement pillars with their vertical street name signs have been a fixture in Park Ridge for generations. Many of the streets in our city are named after early settlers in the area.
Sponsor: Don Juan’s Cantina & Taqueria
“Don Juan’s Cantina is a unique, modern place for tacos, margaritas and more! Don Juan’s Cantina offers unique and creative traditional to contemporary Mexican cuisine. Legendary margaritas, all major Mexican imported beers, a vast selection of tequilas, and a well-thought wine list await to accompany your meal.”
Artist: Miranda Randel
History: The Town of Maine Cemetery at the corner of Touhy Ave. and Dee Road contains the graves of many notable citizens that helped build our city. Every September the Park Ridge Historical Society sponsors a cemetery walk, Spirits of Old Park Ridge, featuring many “sprits” of our early citizens.
Sponsor: Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
“Considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, Lou Malnati’s is as rich in history as its pizza is in flavor!”
“Lou Malnati got his start in the 1940’s working in Chicago’s first deep dish pizzeria. He took his pizza expertise to Lincolnwood where he and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria on March 17, 1971. Lou was known for his fun-loving character as well as making Chicago’s best pizza. Loyal patrons lined the streets on opening day for a taste of his delicious deep dish creations. Lou always thought it was funny that an Italian should open a pizzeria in a predominately Jewish neighborhood on an Irish holiday. But that was Lou’s style; he loved all people and didn’t care much about what people thought.”
Artist: Michelle Krause
History: The Park Ridge Historical Society owns the original 1934 Pirsch Fire Truck that once belonged to the Park Ridge Fire Department. The Historical Society is raising funds to restore the truck so that it can once again be part of our community celebrations. To learn more go to: www.parkridgefiretruck.com
Sponsor: Allison & Dave Blum – Blum Group/Dream Town
“Whether you are buying or selling a home, you’ve come to the right place to achieve success in Chicago’s exciting housing market. As one of Dream Town’s highly-trained real estate teams, we will help you reach your goals through expert knowledge of area neighborhoods and exceptional client services.”
Artist: Kathy Hurley
