Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society

03/30/2025

It's final days for Women's History Month and a good time to revisit the woman who kicked off our very first Noted and Notorious, Emma C. Kennett: A Rogers Park Working Mother. Over her career, she built 80 apartment buildings in Rogers Park/West Ridge, including a neighborhood beauty, the English/Normandy-style building at 2300 West Farwell Ave. Learn more about this trailblazer on our website: rpwrhs.org/noted-and-notorious/emma-c-kennett-a-rogers-park-working-mother-1891-1985/

03/29/2025

As Women's History Month comes to a close, it's not too late to remember the accomplishments of three sisters in Rogers Park's own Pollard family. Oldest sister, Artimesia, became the first African-American registered nurse in Illinois, and youngest sister, Ruby, was an athlete at Lake View High School. Middle sister Naomi was the first African-American woman to graduate from Northwestern University and the focus of last summer's Noted and Notorious feature: rpwrhs.org/the-pioneering-spirit-of-naomi-pollard-dobson-1883-1971/

03/22/2025

Want to show off your knowledge of the neighborhood and help the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society?

Check out the Historical Society’s online exhibit “The House Hunt”
https://rpwrhs.catalogaccess.com/exhibits/14

If you correctly identify any of the unknown addresses, you’ll be entered to win one of our three books that highlight the interesting history of Chicago’s far north side.

Good luck!

03/08/2025

The New Comedy ‘Deli Boys,’ revolves around two Pakistani-American brothers who inherit a crime syndicate and spend screen time in parts of historic West Ridge. Looks awesome!🤩

They should take the Gangsters of West Ridge tour for next season's ideas 😁 https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/03/05/in-new-hulu-comedy-deli-boys-chicago-plays-philadelphia/

03/01/2025

Hope you can join us tomorrow, March 2nd, for our 2025 Annual Meeting.

We'll report on the State of the Historical Society before an interesting program by Dr. Rose Miron, Vice President of Research and Education at the Newberry Library. Dr. Miron will lead us through a history of Chicago that centers on its Indigenous presence and discusses the mission, development, and status of the Indigenous Chicago project.

This event is free and open to the public.
Register and learn more at our website.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend a brief review of 2024, election of Board of Directors and presentation by Newberry Library Vice President on Indigenous Chicago, an exploration of our regional history through indigenous voices.

02/22/2025

The history of Black History Month started in Chicago! While the story doesn't include our far northside region, this flipbook is still an interesting read for history lovers.

The story of Black History Month begins in Chicago during the summer of 1915. An alumnus of the University of Chicago with many friends in the city, Carter G. Woodson traveled from Washington, D.C. to participate in a national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation sponsored by the....

02/16/2025

Both Rogers Park and Andersonville grew in size on the Chicago Neighborhood Project’s resident-created neighborhood map. Our very own Dona Vitale weighs in on why this happened in our neck of Chicago.🤔

Both Rogers Park and Andersonville grew in size on the Chicago Neighborhood Project's resident-created neighborhood map.

02/15/2025

Join us for a special event to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine.

Through photos and stories, we will glimpse into how the people of Ukraine are coping through war.

Where: Budlong Woods Library, 5630 North Lincoln Avenue
When: February 24, 2025, 6 to 7:30 pm
Cost: Free. Registration recommended.

Mark the third anniversary of the invasion of Eastern Ukraine by learning more about how ordinary Ukrainians are experiencing the turmoil in their country. Lida Nedilsky, North Park University Sociology Professor, spent last summer meeting Ukrainians and documenting their stories.

02/15/2025

Join the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society at the Budlong Woods Branch for a special event to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine.

Travel vicariously with North Park University Professor, Lida Nedilsky on her trip across Ukraine last July. Through photos and stories, you will glimpse into the lives she encountered living through war.

Where: Budlong Woods Library, 5630 North Lincoln Avenue

When: February 24, 2025, 6 to 7:30 pm

Cost: Free. Registration recommended.

Mark the third anniversary of the invasion of Eastern Ukraine by learning more about how ordinary Ukrainians are experiencing the turmoil in their country. Lida Nedilsky, North Park University Sociology Professor, spent last summer meeting Ukrainians and documenting their stories.

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine's Day Rogers Park and West Ridge peeps!😍Sharing our most loved Noted and Notorious...this man is our heart🥰
http://bit.ly/3X0tQrw

01/25/2025

Over the past twelve months, we've featured noted and notorious people from the past whose stories provide insight into Rogers Park and West Ridge. As we share the last of these stories, we must send a big shout-out to our star intern, Gustavo Azevedo, who has written the past five installments. We could not have completed this project without him!

On this still cold Saturday, enjoy reading about C. H. Thompson, one of Rogers Park's most fascinating builders.

C. H. Thompson (1859-1945): Developer of Luxury Homes by Gustavo Azevedo Three centuries ago, not much of modern-day Rogers Park existed. Where houses, apartments and shops now line the streets, birch trees and dunes dotted the landscape. Although almost empty compared to today’s population, the a...

12/07/2024

Today’s the day Shop Jarvis Square is celebrating 16 years!

We'll be hosting local artisans and their wares so stop by. You can also pick up a copy of our community cookbook, The World in One Neighborhood…or just to say hello!

11/23/2024

Winners of the 2024 Driehaus Award from the Chicago Bungalow Association for Interior Restoration live among us in Rogers Park! Check out these Before and After photos and if you see this industrious couple around the neighborhood, give 'em a high five for their hard work💪🏆

11/19/2024

When in West Ridge, why not have a little musical history with your coffee🎙

At Urban Morning Cozy Café in West Ridge, owner Ricky Burns made a big dream come true in the tiny space. Joe Donlon reports in this edition of Eye on Chicago.

11/17/2024

Are you interested in learning about the government's $7 Billion national investment in developing Hydrogen research? Join us on Wednesday, November 11th to hear Dave Rue from GTI Energy present an overview of how the research efforts will help to address Climate Change and reduce GHG Emissions.

Rogers Park Library, 6907 North Clark Street, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

The event is free. Pre-registration is recommended: https://rpwrhs.org/program/addressing-eco-anxiety-a-4-part-series/

11/11/2024

We want to honor all who served this Veteran’s Day 🇺🇸 🌺

November's Noted and Notorious tells the story of one of the many Rogers Park and West Ridge residents who have come forward to take on the challenges facing our country in times of crisis.

Follow the link to learn more about World War I veteran, Edward Newell Ware.

Edward Newell Ware (1892-1919): A Unique Life of Selfless Service In 1930, the first Gold Star pilgrimage took place. Hundreds of American mothers and widows of fallen soldiers were offered the opportunity to visit the graves of their family members. The trip was meant to show appreciation and allow...

10/22/2024

Don't Miss Tomorrow's Important Eco-Anxiety Program!

Former Executive Director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District returns to give his take on Chicago's local water challenges.

Where: Rogers Park Library, 6709 North Clark Street
When: Wednesday, October 23, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

This event is free. No pre-registration is necessary.

10/05/2024

"Noted and Notorious" reminds us is that no one is totally perfect or totally flawed. This idea applies to the lawyer, businessman, and "front man" for the Capone gang, Edward "Easy Eddie" O'Hare. Learn about his cushy secret hideout in Rogers Park where he thought he could quietly disappear from sight as he feared retaliation for helping the IRS to convict Capone in 1931.

Eddie O'Hare was known as a "front man" for Al Capone who kept a secret hideaway apartment in Rogers Park to hide from his enemies. After his murder in 1939, his son "Butch" O'Hare became a war hero whose name lives on in Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. -