Palos Park, Illinois, is a charming village located about 19 miles southwest of Chicago. The village is home to a diverse population of over 13,000 people, and it is known for its beautiful natural setting, its charming downtown, and its many parks and golf courses.
But Palos Park's history is much longer than its current incarnation. The area was originally home to a variety of Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Kickapoo. The first Europeans to arrive in the area were fur traders in the early 1800s. In the mid-1800s, the area was settled by farmers.
The first major settlement in the area was the town of Palos, which was founded in 1835. Palos was a small farming community, and it remained that way for many years. However, in the late 1800s, the area began to attract more and more people, thanks to its proximity to Chicago and its beautiful natural setting.
In 1894, the Chicago Sharpshooter's Association purchased 39 acres of land in Palos and built a large recreational complex. The complex included a shooting range, a clubhouse, and a hotel. The Sharpshooter's Club was a popular destination for people from Chicago, and it helped to spur the growth of the area.
In 1914, the village of Palos Park was incorporated. The first mayor of Palos Park was John J. O'Malley. The village grew rapidly in the early 20th century, and by the 1930s, it had a population of over 2,000 people.
Palos Park continued to grow in the postwar years. The village attracted new residents who were drawn to its small-town atmosphere and its proximity to Chicago. In the 1960s, Palos Park experienced a period of rapid growth, and its population nearly doubled.
Today, Palos Park is a thriving community with a population of over 13,000 people. The village is home to a variety of businesses, schools, and parks. Palos Park is also a popular destination for tourists, who come to enjoy the village's charming downtown, its many golf courses, and its proximity to Lake Michigan.
Some of the key events in the early history of Palos Park include:
The arrival of the first Europeans in the early 1800s
The founding of the town of Palos in 1835
The construction of the Chicago Sharpshooter's Club in 1894
The incorporation of the village of Palos Park in 1914
The rapid growth of the village in the postwar years
Some of the notable people who have lived in Palos Park include:
John J. O'Malley, the first mayor of Palos Park
William Rainey Harper, the first president of the University of Chicago
George Halas, the founder of the Chicago Bears
Ernie Banks, the Hall of Fame baseball player
Palos Park is a vibrant community with a rich history. The village is home to a diverse population, and it is a popular destination for tourists. Palos Park is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.