Ford Heights

Curiosity stirred within me as I approached Ford Heights. What stories lay hidden within this small village? Ford Heights, formerly East Chicago Heights, holds a unique place in Illinois history. Located in Cook County, it has a rich and complex past. Ford Heights began as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Runaway slaves found refuge here on their journey to freedom. In the early 20th century, it transformed into an agricultural community. Polish, Lithuanian, and Italian farmers cultivated the land. After World War I, African Americans from the South arrived, seeking work on these farms. A new subdivision, called “Park Addition,” drew more residents in the 1920s. In 1924, electricity came to the area. Soon after, US Route 30, part of the historic Lincoln Highway, paved the way for further development. By the 1930s, the area, then known as East Chicago Heights, had telephone service. In the 1940s, Alberta Armstrong and other women rallied to raise funds for a new fire truck. Their efforts laid the groundwork for the East Chicago Heights Citizens Association. Ford Heights officially became a village in 1949, with Charlie Williams as its first mayor. The 1950 census recorded 1,548 residents, most of whom were Black. The arrival of the Ford Motor Company stamping plant in 1956 brought significant change. The plant offered well-paying jobs to minorities. Ford Heights evolved into a predominantly Black, middle-class community. The population more than doubled by 1960. The Sunnyfield subdivision, opened in 1964, became a sought-after neighborhood. However, the late 1960s brought challenges. Federally subsidized public housing replaced substandard housing. This attracted lower-income residents. Resources became strained, and the village’s limited commercial activity struggled to keep up. In 1987, hoping to annex the Ford Stamping Plant, the village changed its name to Ford Heights. The attempt failed, and the land went to neighboring Chicago Heights. Ford Heights has faced ongoing struggles with poverty, corruption, and crime. The Cook County Sheriff’s Department took over policing in 2008. Despite its difficulties, Ford Heights remains a community with a deep-rooted history. From its beginnings as a haven for freedom seekers to its industrial boom and subsequent challenges, Ford Heights’s story is a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of its residents.