Can you imagine what this small area in Chicago looked like before it was a village? Now imagine it is the early 1880s. A stone quarry was producing lime and a flour mill was turning wheat into bread. A Roman Catholic church was built in 1876, a Lutheran church opened for the German community, and in the 1880s, many Polish people arrived. Called Lyons, it was officially incorporated in 1888. You’re looking at the area that was once known as “Le Portage.” This area was used by French explorer Louis Joliet and Jesuit missionary Father Pierre Marquette as the gateway to the west. Only a couple of years later, the town was using the Des Plaines River to harvest ice for seasonal employment. It was a place where the Native American and French pasts mingled with the present. The most notable place in town is Hofmann Tower. Built in 1908, this castle-like concrete structure, which was once the tallest building west of downtown Chicago, is the centerpiece of a recreational area. The large tower was built by George Hofmann Jr. It was a popular destination for locals and visitors alike who enjoyed many activities such as powered boat rides, canoeing, picnicking, dancing and orchestral concerts plus a large beer garden. Although the amusement parks closed in the 1970s, the Hofmann Tower, which is now a historic site, remains a popular local landmark.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to