Documentation

"In 1893, Haj Mirrza Mohammad Ali Moen-Ol Saltaneh journeyed to Chicago from Iran to visit the World Columbian Exposition. According to his memoirs, the Exhibition's Ferris Wheel was one of the first things he saw. He visited the Persian Palace, Iran's exhibit at the Exposition, where he met Iranian women. These Iranians were likely the earliest group of Iranians who came to Chicago. They little imagined that by 2004, at least 10,000 Iranians would live in the city."

"Long Grove is a unique village. Nestled between stands of oak and hickory trees nand slow-moving creeks, and surrounded by quiet farmland, it is an escape from the suburban sprawl that can be found a short drive in any direction. First settled in the 18302 by German immigrants, Long Grove served as a crossroads between Chicago and Milwukee, and many city dwellers pass through its signature covered bridge and into the village's charming early-1900s shopping districts to revisit that bygone era of American history. Old churches, barns, and businesses - along with the people whose hard work helped the village prosper - are captured in over 200 vintage photographs within the pages of 'Long Grove.'"

"The historic village along the upper Des Plaines River, originally called Vardin's Grove after the area's first settler, George Vardin, adopted the name of Libertyville in the early 1840s after serving two years as the county seat of newly established Lake County. In the 1870s, businessman and state legislator Ansel Brainerd Cook built a porticoed mansion, the Cook House, in beautiful Libertyville. Other monuments to be seen in the pages of 'Libertyville' are the estates built throughout the community, including those once owned by railroad and utility tycoon Samuel Insull. At one time, Insull owned 6,000 acres of land in the town. Scenes from business, industry, schools, and community fun through the decades complement historic images of the Lake County Fair and even a great train robbery from 1924, one of the largest ever in U.S. history."

"Arlington, Illinois began as a hodgepodge of mercantile and service ventures straddling the tracks of the Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad. Today the village center has become a model for explosive growth and redevelopment studied by other towns across the United States. Through the medium of historic photographs, this book captures the evolution of Arlington Heights, from the mid-1800s to the present day."

"Glen Ellyn took its name from a Victorian real estate development whose massive promotional campaigns brought this unusually beautiful village to the attention of city dwellers eager to move their families away from the grimy, coal-fired environs of Chicago. Its story begins with hardy New Englanders who felled trees to build log cabins, broke the virgin prairie sod, and trapped wild game in the marshlands that would become greater Chicago, continuing through the radical changes that came with the railroad and the Civil War. From Potawatomi Indians and pioneers to an important Underground Railway station; from a luxurious lakeside health resort with a fabulous grand hotel to one of Chicago's premier suburban communities, 'Glen Ellyn' presents the village's rich history with evocative photographs from the collection of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society."

"The first Lake Forest Day in 1908 included a hot air balloon ascension, a cutest baby contest, a mind-reading dog, and a vaudeville show. Proceed from the event, organized by the Lake Forest Woman's Club, funded the Contagious Hospital, which eventually merged with the Lake Forest Hospital. American Legion Post 264 took over in 1921 and has maintained this extraordinary tradition ever since. The annual celebration has changed over the years to reflect local interests, national events and even cultural shifts. With the advent of World War II, the themes became patriotic, such as 'Home Defense,' 'Prelude to Victory,' and 'On to Tokyo.' Lake Forest Day, Lake Forest Day, held on the First Wednesday of August, continues to inspire civic pride. This book represents a fascinating look at Lake Forest in 1908 and the century thereafter, as parades, carnivals, and contests energized the community spirit."

"Fox Lake, nestled as it is in the heart of the chain, has been one of the Chicago area's favorite recreation destinations for over 100 years. Starting in the late 1800s, wealthy sportsmen constructed clubs that sparked an era often referred to as the 'resort heyday.' An explosion of resorts and cottages beckoned tourists to come to hunt, fish, enjoy nature's gifts, or be entertained. In 1910, the Chicago Tribune referred to the area as 'Vice Capital,' noting the openness of gambling, saloons, dance halls, and more. Through the magic of vintage postcards, some of the ghosts of the past are brought to life in this book - scenery, structures, boats, and people gone but not totally forgotten."

"Highland Park represents one of the finest examples of late 19th century suburban development. Its abundant natural beauty was quickly recognized and preserved by the visionary design of two well-known landscape architects, Horace W.S. Cleveland and William M.R. French. Capitalizing on the setting and boasting "good schools, good churches and good society," the Highland Park Building Company transformed the scenic village into one one of the most desirable communities on Chicago's North Shore, attracting socially prominent residents who built gracious lakefront estates and quiet country homes along its bluffs and shady lanes. Historic photographs illustrate the transformation from forest and farmland to a fashionable residential community and capture the social, civic, and business accomplishments of Highland Park's early citizens. The city's early progress and prosperity are celebrated in this book."

"The Waukegan Historical Society was founded in 1968 to help keep the city's history alive. Through numerous programs and presentations the society has provided a record of many of the contributors to Waukegan's growth and importance. Publication of a photo record seems like a natural continuation of this mission. The memorable images collected in "Waukegan, Illinois" are of those people and events that made the city great, and were selected from the society's archives. We hope that many memories may be sparked as one wanders through our collective past."

"The remarkable city of Naperville, Illinois, Illinois began as an agrarian community in the mid-1800s. The rich prairie filled the grain elevators and cattle were shipped to the Chicago "Yards." Through the medium of historic photographs, this book captures the evolution of the people of Naperville, from the mid-1800s to the present day."