GOVERNMENT PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES
HISTORY OF PORTAGE PARK The historic community of Portage Park was given its name from an old Indian portage which connected the Des Plaines and Chicago Rivers. In the early 18th and 19th centuries, Native Indian members of the Pottawatomie, Ottawa, Chippewa and Fox tribes frequented and portaged through the Portage Park area. This region was too wet and marshy for permanent settlement; however, the area had an abundant supply of beaver, elk, wild turkey and a few bison. It became a convenient place for French fur traders and voyageurs to trade goods with the Native American tribes. All those who portaged through the area would go between the north branch of Chicago River and the Des Plaines River. When the park and surrounding community were established in the early part of the 20th century, the residents selected the name Portage Park in homage to the areas early history. The word “portage” means to carry canoes and supplies overland from one navigable water to another. The Pottawatomie word for portage is wbahawdon. The Indians, and later the explorers and the trappers, used many portages in the Chicago area. However, a minor but relatively easy portage existed along what is now known as Irving Park Road. The trail was marshy and in wet weather almost be canoed. Two ridges ran parallel to the lake shore. One is now Cicero Avenue and the other runs along present day Narragansett forming the natural watershed between the Mississippi and the Great Lakes drainage systems. The two ridges generally held water between them making the portage easier. The Indians did not remain. Spring floods and marsh lands moved them elsewhere: however they did leave us the legacy of Portage Park. This significant portage connected the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes with the Des Plaines, Illinois and Mississippi Rivers which flowed into the Gulf of Mexico. The ridge between Narragansett and Harlem is a continental divide. Standing water in the savanna areas between natural ridges such as Milwaukee and Narragansett Avenues allowed canoes to float part of the way between the two ridges. Not until after 1816 did settlers begin to arrive in this area. The Indians signed a treaty in that year giving the land south of the Indian boundary line, which runs southeast along Rogers Avenue and Forest Preserve Drive, to the United States. A continued conflict with the Blackhawk Indians that ended in 1832 prevented any substantial settlement until the mid- 1830’s. The Northwest Plank Road, built as a toll road at a cost of $51,000, provided comparatively easy travel to and from booming Chicago. As a result, the 6 corners area began to grow rapidly. The Chicago urban sprawl began to spill over to the Jefferson Township area in the 1860’s. Workers and professionals sought to refuge from City noises. Newer residential areas sprung up along transportation lines, especially the new Chicago Northwestern Railroad. The CNW provided access to employment and shopping in the city. In 1862, the first Jefferson Town Hall was built at the southeast corner of Irving Park and Milwaukee. People came to 6 Corners to shop. New stores and businesses were commonplace. The first real estate
deal was the southwest corner of Cicero and Irving to developers Koester and Zander in 1889. This was also the year the town of Jefferson, including most of today’s Portage Park, was annexed to the city. The area remained a quiet suburban community until the Milwaukee street car line opened in 1907 and expansion began. Farming in the area proved to be difficult, as the land remained marshy, and ditch digging was the only was to maintain dry property. Residential properties sprang up mostly in the northern and eastern sections. In 1912 neighbors formed the Portage Park District, and the following year the park district board of commissioners condemned 40 acres on the northeast corner of Irving Park Road and Central Avenue for the purpose of developing a park. Initially the commissioners tried to raise money through a property tax. When residents objected that the tax was inequitable and that it might lead to corruption and graft, the assessment was invalidated in court. It was soon discovered, however, the tax was an unnecessary measure, since park development was progressing without it. A portion of the park officially opened in midsummer 1916, and the Portage Park Citizen’s Celebration Association formed to organize park events. Visitors to the park that summer enjoyed a cool swim in a small sand-bottomed lagoon. In the coming years the park became a popular gathering place as other recreational facilities wee added. In addition to the swimming lagoon, tennis courts and baseball fields were added, and in 1922 the Fieldhouse was completed. A spectacular Fourth of July festival was held, complete with parade and athletic exhibitions. Attendance reached an estimated 40,000 persons, who come from numerous Chicago neighborhoods. In 1934 Portage Park was merged into the Chicago Park District. With improved transportation and the inducement of the beautiful park, developers began building homes and urban dwellers flocked to the community. By 1940, its population had risen to 66,357. The center of social and athletic events remained at the park which had expanded to 36 acres and added eight tennis courts, an athletic field, a gymnasium with an indoor pool, and basketball courts by 1989. Portage Park features an Olympicsize swimming pool which was built for the 1959 Pan American Games, and was also the site for the 1972 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. The 1990 census indicated that the population in the community had decreased to 56,513 and consisted mainly of residents of Polish, Italian, Irish and German descent. By 2000 population had rebounded to 65,340 and included a diverse ethnic and racial mix. The present community is as residential neighborhood with excellent shopping at the famous Six Corners Business district and superior transportation, including the CNW, extensive RTA bus lines and the Kennedy Expressway with its Rapid Transit facility. There are many excellent schools, churches, hospitals, medical centers and libraries. These amenities, along with friendly and helpful people, make Portage Park a fine place in which to live and work.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Alderman John Arena 45th Ward (773) 286-4545 www.ward45.org
Treasurer Michael Frerichs (866) 458-7327 www.illinoistreasurer.gov
Senator Richard Durban (312) 353-4952 www.durbin.senate.gov Senator Tammy Duckworth (312) 886-3506 www.duckworth.senate.gov Congressman Luis Gutierrez 4th District (773) 342-0774 www.gutierrez.house.gov Congressman Mike Quigley 5th District (773) 267-5926 www.quigley.house.gov Census Bureau (800) 923-8282 www.census.gov
Senator Omar Aquino 2nd District (773) 292-0202 www.senatoraquino.com Senator John Mulroe 10th District (773) 763-3810 www.senatormulroe.org Senator Iris Martinez 20th District (773) 278-2020 www.senatoririsymartinez.com Representative Luis Arroyo 3rd District (773) 637-2000 www.reparroyo.com Representative John D’Amico 15th District (773) 736-0218 www.facebook.com/repdamico
Federal Government Information Center (844) 872-4681 www.usa.gov Housing and Urban Development (312) 353-6236 www.hud.gov Internal Revenue Service (312) 292-4912 www.irs.gov Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213 www.ssa.gov United States Postal Service (800) 275-8777 www.usps.com Dunning Post Office (773) 736-0714 Irving Park Post Office (773) 725-3701
Representative Robert Martwick 19th District (773) 286-1115 www.repmartwick.com Representative Will Guzzardi 39th District (773) 227-9720 www.willguzzardi.com Representative Jaime Andrade 40th District (773) 267-2880 www.staterep40.com Department of Children and Family Services (800) 252-2873 www.illinois.gov/dcfs
Veterans Affairs (800) 827-1000 www.va.gov
Department of Human Services (800) 843-6154 www.dhs.state.il.us
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Department of Motor Vehicles (312) 793-1010 www.cyberdriveillinois.com 5401 North Elston Avenue (773) 794-5871 4642 West Diversey Avenue (773) 793-1010
Governor Bruce Rauner (312) 814-2121 www.illinois.gov/gov
Attorney General Lisa Madigan (312) 814-3000 www.ag.state.il.us Comptroller Susana Mendoza (312) 814-2451 www.illinoiscomptroller.gov Secretary of State Jesse White (800) 252-8980 www.cyberdriveillinois.com
Animal Care and Control (312) 747-1406 www.adoptchicago.org www.petharbor.com/chicago
Department of Public Aid (773) 292-7250 www.dhs.state.il.us Department of Revenue (800) 732-8866 www.revenue.state.il.us www.iltax.com
COOK COUNTY
Assessor Joseph Berrios (312) 603-5196 www.cookcountyassessor.com Clerk David Orr (312) 603-5656 www.cookcountyclerk.com Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown (312) 603-5030 www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarborough (312) 603-5050 www.cookrecorder.com Sheriff Thomas Dart (708) 865-4700 www.cookcountysheriff.org State’s Attorney Kim Foxx (312) 603-1880 www.statesattorney.org Treasurer Maria Pappas (312) 443-5100 www.cookcountytreasurer.com Board President Toni Preckwinkle (312) 603-6400 www.cookcountyil.gov/person/ toni-preckwinkle Commissioner Luis Arroyo, Jr. 8th District (773) 417-4454 www.arroyojr.com Commissioner Peter Silvestri 9th District (773) 444-0346 www.petersilvestri.com Commissioner Bridget Gainer 10th District (773) 561-1010 www.bridgetgainer.com
Commissioner John Fritchey 12th District (773) 871-4000 www.cookcountyil.gov/person/ john-fritchey Forest Preserve District of Cook County (800) 870-3666 www.fpdcc.com
Public Health (312) 474-9884 www.cityofchicago.org/cdph
Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (312) 744-6249 www.cityofchicago.org/bacp
Public Libraries (312) 747-4300 www.chipublib.org Austin-Irving Branch (312) 744-6222 Dunning Branch (312) 743-0480 Portage-Cragin Branch (312) 744-0152 West Belmont Branch (312) 746-5142
Commission on Human Relations (312) 744-4111 www.cityofchicago.org/cchr Cultural Affairs and Special Events (312) 744-3316 www.cityofchicago.org/dcase Finance/Revenue (312) 744-2204 www.cityofchicago.org/revenue
Non-Emergency / Service Request Line 311
Fire Department (312) 745-3705 www.cityofchicago.org/cfd Engine Company 7 (773) 736-1828 Engine Company 69 (773) 736-0186 Engine Company 94 (312) 744-3951 Engine Company 108 (773) 545-6017
Mayor Rahm Emanuel (312) 744-3300 www.cityofchicago.org/mayor Clerk Anna Valencia (312) 742-5318 www.chicityclerk.com Treasurer Kurt Summers (312) 744-3356 www.chicagocitytreasurer.com Alderman Ariel Reboyras 30th Ward (773) 794-3095 www.30thwardchicago.com www.reboyras.com Alderman Milly Santiago 31st Ward (773) 278-0031 www.aldermansantiango.com Alderman Gilbert Villegas 36th Ward (773) 745-4636 www.36thward.org Alderman Nicholas Sposato 38th Ward (773) 283-3838 www.aldermansposato.com Alderman Margaret Laurino 39th Ward (773) 736-5594 www.aldermanlaurino.com
17th District (312) 742-4590 CAPS Office (312) 742-4588 25th District (312) 746-8605 CAPS Office (312) 746-5090
Buildings (312) 744-3449 www.cityofchicago.org/buildings
CITY OF CHICAGO Emergency 911
HISTORY OF IRVING PARK
Park District (312) 742-7529 www.chicagoparkdistrict.com Chopin Park (773) 685-3247 Dickinson Park (773) 685-7235 Kilbourn Park (773) 685-3351 Merrimac Park (773) 685-3382 Portage Park (773) 685-7235 Police Department (312) 746-6000 www.chicagopolice.org 16th District (312) 742-4510 CAPS Office (312) 742-4521
Streets and Sanitation (312) 744-4611 www.cityofchicago.org/dss Division 2 – Mayfair (312) 744-2333 (Wards 38, 39, 45) Division 3 – Northwest (312) 743-0462 (Wards 30, 31, 36) Transportation (312) 744-3600 www.cityofchicago.org/cdot Water Management (312) 744-4420 www.cityofchicago.org/dwm Wilbur Wright College (773) 777-7900 www.ccc.edu/wright
MISCELLANEOUS
Public Transportation: CTA 888-968-7282 www.transitchicago.com Metra (312) 322-6777 www.metrarail.com PACE 847-364-7223 www.pacebus.com RTA (312) 836-7000 www.rtachicago.org Voter Registration and Information (312) 269-7900 www.chicagoelections.com
The chain of events leading to the development of Irving Park began in 1843 when Major Noble purchased a 160-acre tract of land from Christopher L. Ward, upon which Noble established a farm. The boundaries of the farm today would be Montrose on the north, Irving Park to the south, Pulaski to the east and Kostner to the west. Major Noble’s house on the east side of Elston just south of Montrose doubled as the Blackthorn Tavern, serving travelers coming to and from the City of Chicago along the North West Plank Road (Elston). After many years of successful farming, Noble sold the farm and retired to McHenry County. Four men from New York, Charles T. Race, John S. Brown, Adelbert E. Brown and John Wheeler, purchased the farm in 1869 for $20,000. Shortly thereafter, they purchased an additional 80-acre tract immediately south of the Noble farm from John Gray for $25,000. This parcel bounded by Irving Park Road on the north, Grace on the south, Pulaski to the east and Kostner to the west was part of his original 320 acre farm. The intention of the men was to continue farming, but after seeing the success of suburban communities which had recently opened for settlement, they decided to subdivide their land and create an exclusive suburb seven miles from the city. An agreement was reached with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad allowing their trains to stop in Irving Park if the developers would build a station. This was done and the station, still at the same location, continues to serve neighborhood residents today. The original name chosen for the suburb was “Irvington” after the author Washington Irving, but it was discovered that another town in Illinois had already used the name, so the name of “Irving Park” was adopted. The original developers all built substantial mansions along Irving Park Boulevard between 1870 and 1874. All have since been razed with the exception of the Stephen A. Race mansion, which was moved at the turn of the century and now stands at 3945 North Tripp. Another early home, built for Erastus Brown, father of John and Adelbert, also remains at 3812 North Pulaski although greatly altered. The Chicago fire of 1871, which was watched from the cupolas of several area homes, brought an influx of new residents who built many unique but slightly less pretentious homes. The 1880’s found residents beginning to miss some of the advantages they had left behind in the city and 1889, the community, along with the rest of Jefferson Township, was annexed to Chicago. Water piped to the area from Lake Michigan, the establishments of a Fire Department and streetcar service along major streets were some of the improvements to occur during the first years after annexation.
first home built in 1856 at 4362 West Grace survives today in a remarkable state of preservation and is the oldest house in Irving Park. Gray later built a house on the northwest corner of Milwaukee and Lowell to reflect his newfound wealth, and it was a community showplace. Indoor plumbing with gold fixtures, exotic woods and expensive marbles highlighted his home. It was razed about 1915. Although annexation of Irving Park into the City of Chicago as part of Jefferson Township occurred in 1889, in the 1890s streets were still unpaved and unlighted. As improvements were added, the main thoroughfare became a construction zone; streets were updated and public transportation was created. A residential boom between 1895 and 1914 added more than 5,000 new buildings, of which 1,200 were multifamily residences. In 1910, the residents of Irving Park established their own park district and created eight local parks, the largest of which is Independence Park. Considered one of the finest landscaped neighborhood parks in the City for many years, Independence Park also served as the site of local Fourth of July celebrations. This annual event featured a parade down Irving Park Boulevard involving hundreds of children, athletic events, a band concert and an awardwinning display of fireworks. In 1933, the Irving Park Park District merged with the Chicago Park District. Irving Park continued to grow steadily during the first decades of the twentieth century. Several large apartment buildings featuring elaborate wrought iron fencing, fountains and terra cotta details were constructed primarily north of Irving Park Boulevard. The Depression and war years saw many of the larger homes converted into rooming houses and two-family homes. The prosperity following the war was diminished when it was learned the Northwest (Kennedy) Expressway would cut directly through the heart of Irving Park. This resulted in the displacement of many residents and loss of many homes and businesses. During the 1960’s, condominiums replaced several larger homes along Keystone, Kedvale and Keeler north of the expressway. Irving Park’s population grew from 49,489 in 1980 to 58,643 in 2000. During those decades the Hispanic population increased from 9 percent to 43 percent. The combined efforts of the residents of the Irving Park area has helped to return the community to its original glory and to what has been referred to a “suburb within the city.”
Over 200 homes had been built in the original subdivision within the first 20 years. Several additions to Irving Park had greatly increased the 240 acre-suburb. Grayland, which was opened for settlement in 1874, extended west from Kostner to Cicero, between Irving Park and Addison. Subdivided by John Gray, the first Republican Sheriff of Cook County, on a portion of his extensive farm, it grew around the Grayland station of the Milwaukee Road Railroad, which is still in active use today. Gray’s
PORTAGE PARK DUNNING • IRVING PARK
5645 W. Addison Street Chicago IL 60634 1-773-282-7000 www.cfmedicalcenter.com INFANTS TODDLERS PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP learn + share + play + create 3330 N. Lockwood Ave 773.993.0536 • kidwatchplus.com
CRINKLE CUT FRIES
please visit... see it for Yourself (Recipe No. 15)
Culver's of Portage Park 4939 W. Irving Park Road www.culvers.com
Pain Center/Pain Management Bloodless Medicine • Endocrinology Gastroenterology • Nephrology Neurosurgery/Spine • Obstetrics & Gynecology Orthopaedic/Hand Surgery • Orthopaedic/ Sports Medicine • Otolarynology/ENT Rheumatology • Wound Care All conveniently located on the 2nd Floor Outpatient Specialty Clinic.
(Recipe No. 6)
THE CULVER’S® BACON DELUXE
Community First Medical Center now has specialists in the following areas:
NEW
CHOCOLATE SHAKE
(Recipe No. 31)
5411 West Montrose Avenue Chicago IL 60641 phone: 773.725.6123
6601 West Irving Park Rd. Chicago IL 60634 phone: 773.628.7515
HIGHER STANDARD GREAT SELECTIONS AND AS ALWAYS LOW... LOW PRICES!
Caring For Our Community Please call (773)527-5071 for appointment and information. (1-844-236-2362 toll free)
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNIT Y MAP