“River Forest: Proud Heritage – Bright Future.” The very name speaks of a place deeply rooted in its past, yet vibrantly looking forward. This plaque commemorates the rich history of River Forest. It celebrates its evolution from prehistoric Native American settlements to a thriving modern community.
The story of River Forest begins long before European settlers arrived. Prehistoric Native Americans lived here. They built large effigy mounds throughout the region. These mounds remain as silent witnesses to a forgotten time.
Later, the Chippewa, Menominee, and Potawatomi tribes moved onto this land. However, by 1835, most native tribes were gone. This was due to the terms of the 1833 Treaty of Chicago.
In the 1830s, a steam-powered sawmill was built on the east bank of the Des Plaines River. This sawmill provided lumber for the growing population. Ashbelle Steele, a future co-owner of the sawmill, arrived in 1836. He was the first European settler in Cook County. In 1859, Steele contracted for the landmark brick “Harlem School.”
The Pennsylvania Turnpike, now Lake Street, was laid out in 1842. It was one of the first planked roads in America. River Forest officially became a village in 1880. This was thanks to prosperous settlers influenced by the temperance movement.
By 1890, River Forest had embraced progress. It installed electric streetlights. In 1914, the River Forest Park District acted to preserve green space. It purchased Washington Square to prevent an ice manufacturer from building there. Similarly, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County purchased a portion of Thatcher Woods in 1917. This preserved a precious Oak Savanna.
River Forest experienced rapid growth. The population increased from 1,000 residents in 1894 to 8,829 by 1930. The River Forest Tennis Club, established in 1905, became a local landmark. Its Frank Lloyd Wright Clubhouse hosted the National Clay Courts Championship from 1935 to 1966. Trailside Museum, a converted Victorian mansion built in 1874, became a nature center.
River Forest has always been a place of growth and change. In 1831, George Bickerdike and Mark Noble built a steam-powered sawmill. Five years later, Ashbel Steele arrived. He became the first permanent resident of Noyesville, an early name for River Forest. Steele, a builder, constructed some of the community’s early buildings.
The Henry Quick family arrived in the 1850s. They became the first subdividers of the area. Quick named the eastern portion of Noyesville after his hometown. That name was Harlem.
The temperance movement played a crucial role in River Forest’s incorporation in 1880. Community leaders feared the saloons of neighboring Harlem, now Forest Park. They held an election and voters approved incorporation.
Ironically, village trustees later approved licenses for two saloons. The revenue helped fund improvements. This included brick streets, electric streetcars, and the public library.
These urban amenities attracted more residents. River Forest experienced significant growth. Settlement spread north and west from Oak Park and the railroad. The population boomed. Concordia and Rosary Colleges moved here in 1913 and 1918. Rosary College was later renamed Dominican University in 1997.
River Forest’s population peaked at 13,402 in 1970. It has remained fairly constant since then. The story of River Forest is one of continuous evolution. From its native roots to its present-day vibrancy. This plaque serves as a reminder of that journey. It honors the proud heritage. It also celebrates the bright future of River Forest.