Arcadia Publishing Oak Lawn History Book

Situated just outside of Chicago, the bustling suburb of Oak Lawn was incorporated in 1909, although its rich history can be traced back to the 1830s. For decades, the village remained a thinly populated farming community. However, like many towns across America, the early 20th century brought steady growth and the years following World War II saw an unprecedented population explosion. With thousands of new residents arriving every year, numerous homes, churches and schools were constructed, forever changing Oak Lawn. In the face of immense growth and other adversities, such as the 1967 tornado, the village continued to prosper and mature. The images in this book act as a window to its past, highlighting many of the people, places and events that have made Oak Lawn the dynamic community it is today.