History

Just in time for Independence Day, here ere are a few patriotic facts and trivia.

In this week's "A Taylor-Made Life," Taylor Leddin-McMaster writes about recent events at Wright in Kankakee's B. Harley Bradley House and what's next on the calendar as the Frank Lloyd Wright home turns 125 years old.

Dixon's Lowell Park has a remarkable history. In his column this week, historian Tom Wadsworth shares unique stories about who designed the park and the land's importance in northern Illinois as far back as the early 1800s.

The Polo Historical Society is applying to become a designated Network to Freedom site with the National Park Service after uncovering local ties to the Underground Railroad.

Almost four years after his “I Have a Dream” speech, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. arrived at a tent-in demonstration in DuPage County.

Polo was a major hub in helping slaves get to safety in the 1800s through the Underground Railroad, a series of secret routes and safe houses.

Having some cents of Ogle County history: Centennial, quasquicentennial, sesquicentennial, dosquicentennial … Ogle County can observe them all this year, from the anniversary of driving through a cut up rock to blazing trails and rails.

Having some cents of Dixon history: Centennial, quasquicentennial, sesquicentennial, dosquicentennial … Dixon can observe them all this year, from the anniversary of an unbeatable high school football team to the establishment of governance in its rural areas.

The Class of 2025 was the last class to march into the future in Savanna, as its city prepares to say farewell to its high school before it moves to Mount Carroll.

Drag racing and Arnie Beswick were born around the same time – one on the dry lake beds of California and the other in Morrison – and they’ve both found fame through the years, with drag racing attracting legions of fans and “The Farmer” becoming a legend in his field.

Landmarked by Historic Preservation Commission in 2023, Crystal Lake's McCormick Park is one of the oldest public grounds in McHenry County. A recognition of the park's landmark status and walk through its markers takes place Sunday.

Purchase a bag of stone ground flour, mix it up, knead it into dough and drop in the oven at the Windmill Cultural Center.

The Ellwood House Museum will partner with the DeKalb County History Center to hold an opening reception for its Arts in Action: “Sharing Stories” exhibit.

Among the highlights of summer in the suburbs are “Always…Patsy Cline" on stage, along with the band Asia's John Payne, folk music and blues artists, Wheaton Municipal Band, a book sale extraordinaire and walking tour.

One of the oldest Little League organizations in the United States is making plans for its next 74 years with the help of the Joliet Slammers, Rotary Club of Joliet, and other local businesses and organizations.

The Grayslake Historical Society invites all members of the community to attend a morning coffee and chat at 9 a.m. June 26 in the community room of the Grayslake Heritage Center, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake.

Record stories that captured people's attention in years passed.

Today's column showcases the story behind Charles Russell Lowell's 1859 purchase of the land that would someday become Dixon's Lowell Park.

Gary Sooter from FamilySearch will give a genealogy program at 7 p.m. Monday, June 23, at the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society, 113 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon.

A century-old grade school that taught generations of families in Sycamore will open to the public for a final time Saturday. Sycamore District 427 will host a farewell celebration for Central School, 245 W. Exchange St., before its administrative offices move to Bethany Road.

Uplifting and also down to earth, the true-story musical “42 Balloons” is flying high through June 29.

This year’s ‘Juneteenth in Kendall County – A Celebration of Love & Education’ featuring entertainment, live performances, food and family fun, is on Thursday at Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ.

The administration building at the Old Joliet Prison now is open for visits. Must be 16 and older to go on tours,

Experience vintage Will County farm history up close at Tractor Discovery Day on Saturday at the Tractor Supply Co., 2161 E Laraway Road, New Lenox.

Attempts are underway to preserve several old farms buildings around McHenry County – including one that just made a most-endangered list – but how to save them isn't always clear.

Producers of the Old Joliet Haunted Prison will open Friday and Saturday for a 'pop-up event' ahead of the Halloween season.

It was a special day Saturday, June 7, 2025, as de Immigrant windmill in Fulton marked its 25th anniversary.

Lockport is hosting its 52nd Old Canal Days festival this weekend featuring a carnival, food court, artisan vendors, beer garden, entertainment and special events. The festival runs through Sunday. The event is held at 303 W. Second St.

Tom Wadsworth’s one-hour PowerPoint presentation about the kidnapping of Della Stackhouse starts at 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Learning Center, 611 E. Third St. in Sterling, and includes free refreshments.

This is the final part of a five-part series about Dixon’s remarkable role in the Civil War. Today's column focuses on the battle at Chickasaw Bayou on Dec. 28-29, 1862, complete with a list of 44 soldiers from the Illinois 13th who died as a result of the battle.

A major antiques show, date night options, entertainment at Morton Arboretum, vintage cars, debut of performance venue, festival fun and an arts weekend are all on tap in DuPage and Cook counties.

Lockport's annual Old Canal Days festival will take place from June 4-8, 2025 with a carnival, parade, fireworks, food, and live entertainment.

The administration building at the Old Joliet Prison now is open for visits. Must be 16 and older to go on tours,

As the future of a 19th-century building that served as Crystal Lake’s first school is in limbo over a pending landmark vote by City Council, historic advocates push fundraising efforts to save it.

The Gemini Giant now has a neighbor near his new home on South Island Park in Wilmington.

Take a trip through time in a historic walking tour in downtown Montgomery. The Historic Preservation Commission is hosting a free walking tour at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 7.

Mark Hutson of Woodstock is on a mission to document every military service member from McHenry County who has died in service, going back to World War I.

The Gemini Giant now has a neighbor near his new home on South Island Park in Wilmington.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has completed a roughly $6.5 million project to improve the Danada House in Wheaton

The June Brown Bag Lunch and Local Lore series at the Ellwood House Museum will feature a program on the story of history through artwork. Jubilee Artisans exhibition curator Ayanna Johnson will discuss how art creates space for diverse perspectives.

The Will County Thresherman’s Association's annual 40-mile Vintage Tractor Drive Fundraiser goes from Manhattan to Wilmington.

The Bureau County Special Schools BEST Program visited Aitken School, a one-room schoolhouse on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the La Salle County Historical Society in Utica. The schoolhouse was originally established as a school in a deed notarized by Horace D. Hickok, brother of “Wild Bill” Hickok on Aug. 3, 1865. The schoolhouse was originally constructed in Troy Grove and “Wild Bill” Hickok attended school there. The La Salle County Historical Society hosts field trips to over 800 children each spring.

Trustees voted 4-1 to donate the building to the Polo Area Community Theatre following a presentation by Hart DuBois, a PACT board member, who outlined how the not-for-profit group planned to raise enough money to keep the building viable as a performance venue.

Many World War II artifacts will be on display, including tanks, trucks and cannons.

The City of Joliet is encouraging Black residents to come out and tell their stories as part of a research initiative to help revitalize the Black community in Will County.

Organizers of the Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study will hold the first of three community interview events on Saturday to collect information relevant to local Black history.

Brian “Fox” Ellis will portray Lincoln’s law partner, William Herndon, at the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society meeting Sunday, May 18, in Sterling.

Special events range from The Morton Arboretum's Arbor Day Plant Sale and a production of "Our Town" at the MAC to live music, a showcase of jewelry artistry and an interactive exhibition on farming in DuPage County at the Elmhurst History Museum.

The DeKalb County History Center recently received an Award of Excellence from the Illinois Association of Museums.

Ed Britton, wildlife refuge manager of the Savanna District, will present a program on the 100th anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Fulton Martin House Museum.