Early History of La Grange Park

Between 1845 and 1860, the area of what was to become a village was settled by five industrious farmers. Henry Dieke, Henry Myer, Bill Robb, Louis Wesemann and A. H. Kemman tilled their land, built their homes and raised families on land that covered all of the territory now included in La Grange Park.

The Chicago fire of 1871 brought homeless families seeking shelter to the communities along the Burlington. Dozens of these families were taken in by the early settlers and were so pleased with the hospitality and surroundings that they decided to stay. The farmers welcomed new faces and sold pieces of their acreage to the newcomers.

Much of the credit for starting the village is given to Alphonse H. Kemman, a son of one of the early settlers, but he had a great deal of assistance from a fellow named Pete Swanson. The story goes that Mr. Swanson, an ambitious and hard working man, decided to add to his income by selling alcoholic beverages in his home. In those days such a place was known as a blind pig, the forerunner of the speakeasy. It didn’t take long for word to get around and soon the noise and antics of his clientele become more than the majority of law abiding citizens could bear.

There was no local government and the Proviso Township Police force was spread too thin, so the decision was made to incorporate. Mr. Kemman organized the effort and on July 14, 1892, the village, home to about 300 residents, was incorporated.

Thus, the village was born, with boundaries of 31st Street on the north; Kemman Avenue on the east; Gilbert Avenue on the west; and Brewster and Ogden Avenues on the south. One of the first actions of the newly elected officials was the prohibition of the sale of liquor.

For the first 50 years of its existence, La Grange Park was a quiet residential village of streets, homes and trees. It had a handful of businesses, no parks, one school. Even in the 1930s most streets lacked identifying signs. There was no around-the-clock police protection and the public works force lacked the manpower and tools to perform operations. Borrowing equipment from neighboring villages was a common occurrence..

Things began to change around 1943 when recommendations were made to create a park district, permit light manufacturing along the Indiana Harbor Belt Line right-of-way; to enlarge the fire and police departments and to make provisions for a central shopping area; all practical recommendations that increased tax revenue and modernized the village.

The village, with its present population of 13,300 is today a healthy, flourishing, active community.