Lombard Historical Society

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Lombard Historical Society As the stewards of Lombard’s heritage, we will continue to make history meaningful for the community.

Remembering the Great Chicago Fire - October 8-9, 1871As we mark Fire Prevention Week, we also remember the devastating ...
10/08/2026

Remembering the Great Chicago Fire - October 8-9, 1871

As we mark Fire Prevention Week, we also remember the devastating fire that forever changed Chicago.

On October 8, 1871, after a long, hot, and unusually dry summer, fire broke out in Chicago. The conditions were perfect for disaster. Wooden buildings, fences, and streets, combined with drought and strong winds, allowed the flames to spread rapidly. By the time the fire was extinguished, much of Chicago lay in ruins and approximately 100,000 people were left homeless.

But the fire was visible from Lombard, too.

In "Footsteps on the Prairie," Lillian Budd described what Lombard residents experienced:

"The fire lighted Lombard's skies day and night. The lips of the skywatchers moved in prayers of thanks that they were being spared such tragedy...all the while their eyes kept an extra careful watch for fire."

More than a century later, the Great Chicago Fire remains a powerful reminder of how quickly fire can change a community, and why Fire Prevention Week continues to be observed each October.

We're also sharing the front page of the "Lombard Spectator," published on October 1, 1971, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.

Fire Prevention Week: 1940s Fire DepartmentHere's a flash back to 1940 or 1941 with the Lombard Fire Department. This pi...
10/07/2026

Fire Prevention Week: 1940s Fire Department

Here's a flash back to 1940 or 1941 with the Lombard Fire Department. This picture was taken in front of Central Station on St. Charles Road. You can even see the Hammerschmidt silos in the back ground!

We added the identification key that was included with the original photograph.

What was it like to grow up next door to the man who would eventually become known as the Unabomber—and what was his con...
10/06/2026

What was it like to grow up next door to the man who would eventually become known as the Unabomber—and what was his connection to Lombard?

This 1996 newspaper clipping is a reminder that the Unabomber investigation had a very local connection. Ted Kaczynski’s family lived in Lombard, and authorities searched the property during the investigation after relatives discovered documents that helped lead the FBI to Kaczynski.

Join us Thursday, October 8, for a special virtual conversation with Jamie Gehring, author of Madman in the Woods: Life Next Door to the Unabomber and featured in Netflix’s Unabomber: In His Own Words.

For 25 years, Kaczynski was simply the neighbor Jamie knew growing up in rural Montana. She’ll share what it was like to look back on those memories after learning who he really was, how her family became connected to his eventual capture, and what she discovered during five years of researching and writing her book.

Kaczynski also had strong ties to Illinois—including Chicago, Evergreen Park, and Lombard—making this an especially interesting story for our community.

📅 Thursday, October 8, 2026
🕖 7:00–8:00 PM
💻 Virtual via Zoom

Registration is required. The Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants the day before the program.

We hope you’ll join us for this fascinating look at a national story with a surprising Lombard connection.

Fire Prevention Week: Honoring Chief John "Jack" JonesToday, we remember John "Jack" Jones, a lifelong Lombardian whose ...
10/06/2026

Fire Prevention Week: Honoring Chief John "Jack" Jones

Today, we remember John "Jack" Jones, a lifelong Lombardian whose dedication to the community helped shape the future of our fire department.

Born in 1927, Jack grew up on View Street and returned home after serving in the U.S. Navy. He worked for the Lombard News Agency while volunteering with the Lombard Fire Department, beginning what would become 36 years of service.

Jack was appointed Fire Chief in 1963 and , in 1969, became Lombard's first full-time, paid Fire Chief. During his tenure, the department grew to three fire stations, expanded its staffing and equipment, and launched Lombard's paramedic program in the early 1970s.

Jack retired in 1993 after 36 years with the department. That same year, Fire Station 1 was rededicated in his honor. Even after retirement, Jack continued serving Lombard through the Fire Department Pension Board and the Lombard Historical Commission.

Even though Jack passed away in 2021, his impacted on Lombard lives on.

Fire Prevention Week: Remembering Lombard's Firefighting HistoryFor the second day of Fire Prevention Week, we are shari...
10/05/2026

Fire Prevention Week: Remembering Lombard's Firefighting History

For the second day of Fire Prevention Week, we are sharing a photograph of the Lombard Fire Volunteer Department from 1913.

This photo features two fire teams with the fire chef in the middle. This picture was taken on the NW corner of St. Charles Road and Charlotte Street.

That’s a wrap on Tales + Tombstones!Thank you to everyone who joined us in Lombard Cemetery this weekend. We loved spend...
10/04/2026

That’s a wrap on Tales + Tombstones!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Lombard Cemetery this weekend. We loved spending two evenings sharing the stories of some of the people who helped shape Lombard—and seeing so many of you come out to experience their history after dark.

A huge thank you to our actors, guides, volunteers, and staff who brought these stories to life, and to the Lombard Park District for once again partnering with us to make Tales + Tombstones possible.

And if you’re not quite ready to leave the spooky season behind, neither are we. 🖤

We’re putting the Victorian Cottage in mourning for October. Stop by to see how a Victorian household observed the customs and traditions surrounding death and mourning, or join us for our Art of Dying tour for an even deeper look at the fascinating—and sometimes unusual—ways Victorians understood death.

The cemetery may be quiet again…but October at LHS is just getting started.



lombardparks Lombard Park District

Fire Prevention Week: Remembering Lombard's Firefighting HistoryThis Fire Prevention Week, we're taking a look back at t...
10/04/2026

Fire Prevention Week: Remembering Lombard's Firefighting History

This Fire Prevention Week, we're taking a look back at the men and women who have served Lombard's Fire Department throughout the years. From the early days of firefighting to the modern department we know today, these dedicated individuals have worked to protect our community and keep our neighbors safe.

Pictured here is a 1930s photograph of fire engines in front of the original central station. This station was located on St. Charles Road and opened in November of 1929.

This Day in Lombard History...Today in 1928, the library board of the First Church voted to merge its library with the H...
10/03/2026

This Day in Lombard History...

Today in 1928, the library board of the First Church voted to merge its library with the Helen M. Memorial Library.

This marked an important moment in the history of the church library, which had been supported and cared for by Josiah Reade for more than 50 years! Reade had originally sponsored the library and filled it with books from his own collection because he did not want to see his fellow townspeople "suffer literary starvation."

When the decision was made to merge the collection with the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library, Josiah Reade agreed!

🕯️ Tales + Tombstones is TONIGHT and TOMORROW NIGHT!Tickets are still available for our candlelit tour through Lombard’s...
10/02/2026

🕯️ Tales + Tombstones is TONIGHT and TOMORROW NIGHT!

Tickets are still available for our candlelit tour through Lombard’s oldest cemetery. Come meet some of Lombard’s past residents and hear the strange, surprising, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking stories they left behind. We have new stories and characters this year, so even if you’ve joined us before, there’s more to discover.

📅 Friday, October 2 & Saturday, October 3
🕯️ Tours at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 & 8:00 PM
📍 Babcock’s Grove Cemetery / Lombard Cemetery, 462 S. Main Street
🎟️ Adults (13+): $25 | Children 3–12: $5
🔦 Bring a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes—the ground is uneven.

Advance tickets are available through the Lombard Park District, and you can also pay at the door with cash.

👉 Purchase tickets through the Lombard Park District⁠

Saturday’s 7:00 PM tour is currently full, but other times are still showing availability.

Come spend an October evening with some of Lombard’s residents who have been waiting a very long time to tell you their stories. 🪦🕯️

Happy World Farm Animals Day!Today, we're celebrating the animals that have been an important part of farm life and our ...
10/02/2026

Happy World Farm Animals Day!

Today, we're celebrating the animals that have been an important part of farm life and our community's history for generations!

Pictured is Frank Peck with his herd of Merino Sheep. While this picture is undated, it was taken on the North side of the Peck Homestead looking towards the Great Western!

Merino sheep played an important role in the history of the Peck family. As committed abolitionists, the Pecks sought ways to avoid supporting the cotton trade, which was deeply connected to the institution of slavery. Instead, they raised Merino sheep for their wool, using it to make many of the things their family needed, including clothing, blankets, and rugs.

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23 W Maple Street
Lombard, IL
60148

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+16306291885

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