Dreams of reclaiming marshy lands fueled Stickney Township’s birth. Today we explore this vibrant community. Stickney Township is one of 29 townships in Cook County Illinois. It holds a unique place in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Stickney Township was established in 1901. It has a rich history tied to the region’s development. The township’s story starts with Mud Lake. This large marshy area once covered much of the land. It stretched from Chicago to Lyons. Imagine a vast, shallow lake. A historic portage trail cut across it connecting the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers.
The construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1836 began to change the landscape. By 1900 the Sanitary and Ship Canal had largely dried Mud Lake. Developers quickly moved in to build on the newly available land. Early residents included German and Dutch farmers.
Stickney Township is named for Alpheus B Stickney. He was a railroad executive. He played a key role in establishing the Clearing Industrial District. Think about the impact of railroads on developing communities.
Stickney village was established from Stickney Township land in 1913. Early village meetings were held in unusual places. The first meeting took place at Hawthorne racetrack. Later meetings occurred in the waiting room at Mount Auburn Cemetery.
In 1919 many residents of Stickney Township worked as truck farmers. Others worked in nearby quarries. Neighboring Cicero and Berwyn experienced booms in the 1920s. Stickney also saw growth. Around 1920 Al Capone and other criminals moved into Stickney. They established brothels and speakeasies. The village government was somewhat complicit. In 1924 Stickney police served as an honor guard at a famed gangster’s funeral. Illegal gambling persisted until at least the 1950s.
By the late 1930s Stickney’s population was about 2000. The town was known for its taverns. After World War II Stickney’s population increased. It reached 6239 by 1960. Vacant land allowed bondholders to take over properties with unpaid taxes. Home construction peaked in the 1950s. Residential areas are mainly in the town’s west end.
In 1949 Commonwealth Edison started building a coal-powered generator plant. It straddled Stickney and Forest View. Stickney has collaborated with Forest View on several projects. One such collaboration led to forming the Stickney-Forest View Library District in 1953.
Stickney Township houses the world’s largest sewage treatment plant. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago operates it. The plant opened in phases since 1930. It occupies 40 percent of the village’s land. It is also Stickney’s largest employer. The village has taken steps to lessen the plant’s impact.
Stickney Township is less than two square miles. It offers safe quiet streets and close-knit community ties. In 2000 many of Stickney’s 6148 residents were of Polish Mexican German or Czech descent. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1895. It has a sizable number of Chinese burials. Stickney Township continues to evolve. It balances industrial presence with residential charm.