| Dates: | 1859-circa 2000 (Bulk dates, 1900-1940) |
| Size: | 1 linear foot in 2 boxes and 75 photographs |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 |
| Collection Number: | nnhc.ppcc |
| Provenance: | The materials in the original portion of the collection were part of the collections of the West Side Historical Society, which were subdivided into the different neighborhoods covered. Materials in the supplement were found in unprocessed boxes and likely also originate with the West Side Historical Society |
| Access: | No restrictions; a portion of this collection is digitized and available here: Northside Clubs and Organizations Digital Collection |
| Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Portage Park Community Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library |
| Processed by: | Originally processed in 1985; updated in 2001. Updated by Allyson Smally, 2020-2021 |
Historical Note
Portage Park is one of Chicago’s 77 community areas, located on the Northwest side of the city nine miles from the Loop. According to the Encyclopedia of Chicago, the area along what is now Irving Park Road was once a portage that early Native Americans used to paddle from the Chicago River to the Des Plaines River. Europeans began to move to the area in the 1830s, and the construction of a tavern in 1841 led to increased migration to the area. Portage Park was part of Jefferson Township until it was annexed by the city of Chicago in 1889. In 1912, the Portage Park District was formed to develop a park, and eventually the name was applied to the entire area. Portage Park has been home to Polish, Italian, Irish, and German immigrants, and notable landmarks in the area include the park and the “Six Corners” intersection where Irving Park Road, Milwaukee Avenue, and Cicero Avenue meet.
Scope and Content
The Portage Park Community Collection (1859-circa 2000, bulk 1900-1940) contains programs, fliers, brochures, publications, and other material related to local businesses, schools, and community organizations; news clippings; a small amount of biographical information and historical sketches; and a scrapbook and scrapbook pages. It also contains a number of photographs, most of which date from the 1910s.
Arrangement/Series Description
This collection is arranged in ten series. When both documents and photographs are available on a series topic, they have been separated into two subseries. When a series contains only documents or only photographs, it contains just one subseries.
Series 1: Biographical, 1859-1949
This series contains news clippings, biographical sketches, photographs, and the contents of a scrapbook about a very small number of former residents of Portage Park, mostly the Baldwin family. It contains Subseries A: Documents and Subseries B: Photographs. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically by last name.
Series 2: Business Establishments, 1896-1987
This series contains a brochure, news clippings, photographs, and scrapbook pages on a few Portage Park businesses. It contains Subseries A: Documents and Subseries B: Photographs. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically by the business name.
Series 3: Clubs and Organizations, 1917-1945
This series, the largest in the collection, contains programs, news clippings, ephemera, photographs, and other material from several Portage Park service organizations. It contains Subseries A: Documents and Subseries B: Photographs. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically by the organization name.
Series 4: Historical Sketches, 1921-1991
This series contains four historic sketches of the Portage Park area, written between 1921 and 1991. They are arranged chronologically according to the year written in one subseries, Subseries A: Documents.
Series 5: Municipal Agencies, 1924, undated
This series contains two photographs of Cook County Institution, a mental institution and poorhouse, and one photograph of the Chicago Police Department's 26th Precinct station. They are arranged alphabetically in one subseries, Subseries A: Photographs.
Series 6: Parks, 1920-1931
This series contains a program and general ordinances related to Portage Park from 1931 and 1920, respectively. They are arranged alphabetically in one subseries, Subseries A: Documents.
Series 7: Residences, circa 2000
This series contains one subseries, Subseries A: Photographs, which contains a scrapbook of scanned images of the Koester family home.
Series 8: Schools, 1930s-1940, undated
This series contains a yearbook, programs, newsletters, and photographs of local Portage Park schools. It contains Subseries A: Documents and Subseries B: Photographs. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically by the school name.
Series 9: Streets, 1952
This series is arranged in one subseries, Subseries A: Documents, which contains a news article on Irving Park Road from 1952.
Series 10: Wartime, undated
This series is arranged in one subseries, Subseries A: Photographs, which contains an undated photograph of the First Cavalry, Illinois National Guard, Troop E.
Subject Headings
Portage Park (Chicago, Ill.)
Community life -- Illinois -- Chicago -- History -- Sources
Container List
Series 1: Biographical, 1859-1949
Subseries A: Documents, 1859-1949
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Baldwin, Harry Herbert - obituary and biographical data, 1940-1941 |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Baldwin, Julia M. - biographical data, 1941 |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Baldwin, Julia M. - correspondence with Wallace Rice, clipping, and notes regarding Chicago flag, 1935-1939 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | Baldwin, Julia M. and Harry - scrapbook contents, 1859-1934 |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | Baldwin, Julia M. - correspondence and pamphlets regarding United States flag and national anthem, 1916-1924 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Kolze, William and family – news clippings and scrapbook pages, 1904-1949 |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Smyser, Washington Dana - biographical sketch, 1937 |
Subseries B: Photographs, circa 1898-circa 1920s, undated
| Photograph 1.111 | Baldwin, Harry Herbert, undated |
| Photograph 1.121 | Baldwin, Julia M., circa 1920s |
| Photograph 1.112 | Kolze, Elizabeth, undated |
| Photograph 1.113 | Kolze, Henry Sr., undated |
| Photograph 1.114 | Kolze, Kath. And Henry Jr., undated |
| Photograph 1.115 | Kolze family, circa 1898 |
| Photograph 1.116 | Kolze family, 1910 |
| Photograph 1.7 | Stewart, Mrs. E.J. informal portrait, standing outside, 1919 July 4 |
Series 2: Business Establishments, 1896-1987
Subseries A: Documents, 1927-1987
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Dickinson's Tavern – news clippings, 1927-1943 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5a | Hoyne Savings - “A Century in the Life of Hoyne Savings” brochure, 1987 |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Kolze's Electric Park – Kolze, William and family news clippings and scrapbook pages, 1904-1949 [see also Chicago Tribune 1951 May 3] |
Subseries B: Photographs, 1896-1936, undated
| Photograph 1.101 | Dickinson Tavern, undated |
| Photograph 1.102 | Kolze's Electric Park, entrance gates, undated |
| Photograph 1.103 | Kolze's Electric Park, outdoor tables, undated |
| Photograph 1.106 | Kolze's Inn, 1900 |
| Photograph 1.108 | Kolze's Inn, 1936 |
| Photograph 1.107 | Kolze's Place, 1912 |
| Photograph 1.104 | Kolze's Tavern, 1896 |
| Photograph 1.105 | Kolze's Tavern, 1900 |
| Photograph 1.119 | Mount Olive Cemetery entrance, undated |
Series 3: Clubs and Organizations, 1917-1945
Subseries A: Documents, 1917-1945
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | American Legion Post #183 Memorial Day program, 1931 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Council of National Defense/Women's Committee, 63rd Exemption District - letter, maps of the 61st-64th Exemption Districts, and news clippings, 1917-1918 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Girls Patriotic Service League - playbill for The Real American Girl, pledge card, and news clippings, 1919, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Henry Playground Athletic Association – ribbons, 1927 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Northwest Federation of Improvement Clubs brochure [formerly 27th Ward Federation of Improvement Clubs], 1945 |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | Portage Park Independence Day Celebration Association - programs, fliers, and typescripts, 1920-1927 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Portage Park's Silver Jubilee Celebration Association flyer, 1937 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Portage Park Women's Club - "The Seventh District in Picture, Song & Story" program, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Saint Mary of Providence Institute - Crippled Children's Cottage news clippings and card, 1938-1940 |
Subseries B: Photographs, 1917-1921
| Photograph 1.4 | 27th Ward Federation of Improvement Clubs Garbage Vigilance Committee, circa 1917 |
| Photograph 1.5 | 27th Ward Federation of Improvement Clubs, group photograph, circa 1918 |
| Photograph 1.1 | American Legion, Portage Park Post - group photograph in meeting hall, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.2 | American Legion, Portage Park Post - exhibit of World War I artifacts and souvenirs, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.3 | American Legion, Portage Park Post - group photograph with interior view of meeting hall, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.29 | Council of National Defense - 63rd Exemption District - hanging the service flag on Berteau Avenue, 1918 August |
| Photograph 1.30 | Council of National Defense - 63rd Exemption District - street carnival/salvation army workers, 1918 August 10 |
| Photograph 1.31 | Council of National Defense - 63rd Exemption District - street carnival/citizens of Berteau Avenue, 1918 August 10 |
| Photograph 1.32 | Council of National Defense - 63rd Exemption District - street carnival booth, 1918 August 10 |
| Photograph 1.33 | Council of National Defense - 63rd Exemption District - street carnival/war garden booth, 1918 August 10 |
| Photograph 1.34 | Council of National Defense - 63rd Exemption District - street carnival/booth, 1918 August 10 |
| Photograph 1.35 | Council of National Defense - 63rd Exemption District - street carnival/woman in front of booth, 1918 August 10 |
| Photograph 1.36 | Council of National Defense - 63rd Exemption District - street carnival - women behind booth, 1918 August 10 |
| Photograph 1.37 | Council of National Defense - 63rd Exemption District - street carnival - women behind booth, 1918 August 10 |
| Photograph 1.9 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter, group picture, 1921 January 31 |
| Photograph 1.10 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter, group picture, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.11 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter, group picture, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.12 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter, group picture with marching band, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.13 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - swimming at Portage Park, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.14 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - swimming at Portage Park, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.15 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - chaperones, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.16 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - group "in the hay at Frieda's," circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.17 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - group at "the pump at Frieda's," circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.18 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - group preparing for a lawn party, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.19 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - group in costumes, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.20 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - outing at Thalitiers Woods, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 1.21 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - group going on a hike, 1920 May |
| Photograph 1.22 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - outing to Wheeling, 1919 |
| Photograph 1.23 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - just before leaving on a ten mile hike, 1919 May |
| Photograph 1.24 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - picnic, 1919 June 21 |
| Photograph 1.25 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - picnic, 1919 June 21 |
| Photograph 1.26 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - Dorothy Meadows and Mrs. Stewart, 1919 July |
| Photograph 1.27 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - Ruth Baley as Uncle Sam for the play The Real American Girl, 1919 March 21 |
| Photograph 1.28 | Girls' Patriotic Service League, Portage Park Chapter - Frieda Rateike as the Puritan Girl for the play The Real American Girl, 1919 March 21 |
| Photograph 1.8 | Portage Park Women's Club "hard times party" at Portage Park School, group photograph, circa 1918 |
| Photograph 1.38 | Red Cross - Mayfair or Portage Park Unit in Mayfair Labor Day parade, 1917 September |
| Photograph 1.39 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit (7th District Auxiliary) at Independence Park, 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.40 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit - Red Cross drive, Zoe Brett and Harry H. Baldwin, 1918 May |
| Photograph 1.41 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit - Red Cross drive, Mrs. R. Brett, 1918 May |
| Photograph 1.42 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit - Red Cross drive workers, 1918 May |
| Photograph 1.43 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit - Red Cross drive workers, 1918 May |
| Photograph 1.44 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit in Portage Park Parade, 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.45 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit - Mildred Schiebler, 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.46 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit in Portage Park Parade, 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.47 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit - soldiers raising the colors at the Portage Park parade, 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.48 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit in Portage Park parade - Mildred Schiebler as the "Greatest Mother,” 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.49 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit - the Red Cross shop at 4043 N. Milwaukee Avenue, 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.50 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit - women in Portage Park Parade, 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.51 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit - Aleta Lott and Julia M. Baldwin, 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.52 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit in Portage Park parade, 1918 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.53 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit in Portage Park parade, 1917 July 4 |
| Photograph 1.54 | Red Cross - Portage Park Unit – “saying good bye to the boys in the 63rd Exemption District,” 1918 February 28 |
Series 4: Historical Sketches, 1921-1991
Subseries A: Documents, 1921-1991
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | Stewart, Agnes Griffith - Portage Park Women's Club - "The Seventh District in Picture, Song & Story" program, 1921 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Chicago Plan Commission, "Portage Park and Dunning," 1942 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Ryan, David Joseph - "The Development of Portage Park from the Earliest Period to the 1920s," 1974 |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | Carlson, Melvin A. - "Letters to my grandchildren" - history of Portage Park in the 1920s, 1991 |
Series 5: Municipal Agencies, 1924, undated
Subseries A: Photographs, 1924, undated
| Photograph 1.6 | Chicago Police Department, 26th Precinct station, exterior, 1924 |
| Photograph 1.109 | Cook County Institution, Dunning, undated [mental institution and poorhouse] |
| Photograph 1.110 | Cook County Institution, Dunning, undated [mental institution and poorhouse] |
Series 6: Parks, 1920-1931
Subseries A: Documents, 1920-1931
| Box 2 | Folder 16 | Old Portage Park District - general ordinances, 1931 October 19 |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 | Portage Park Sportsmen's Club Field Day and Patriotic Demonstration - program, Memorial Day, 1920 |
Series 7: Residences, circa 2000
Subseries A: Photographs, circa 2000
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | "5946 W. Byron," scrapbook of scanned images of the Koester family and their house on Byron Street in Portage Park, by Louise Koester, circa 2000 |
Series 8: Schools, 1930s-1940, undated
Subseries A: Documents, 1939-1940, undated
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Foreman High School yearbook and programs, 1939-1940 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | Portage Park School newsletters, 1940, undated |
Subseries B: Photographs, 1930s, 1937
| Photograph 1.117 | Luther High School site, 1930s |
| Photograph 1.118 | Thorpe School site, undeveloped, 1937 |
Series 9: Streets, 1952
Subseries A: Documents, 1952
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | Irving Park Road - news article, 1952 |
Subseries 10: Wartime, undated
Subseries A: Photographs, undated
| Photograph 1.120 | First Cavalry, Illinois National Guard, Troop E, undated |
