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	By1804, the first European settler in Elmwood Park was Jean Baptiste Beaubien and his half-French, half-Potawatomi Indian wife, Josette LaFrambois.
	On April 8, 1914, Judge Owens entered an order officially declaring Elmwood Park as incorporated Village of the State of Illinois and Carl E. Johnson, Jr. was elected Elmwood Park's first Village President.
	Following the declaration of the Village, the Elmwood Park Women's Club held a dance for the construction of the Village Hall. The Village Hall was completed and dedicated on October 3, 1914, just six months following the incorporation.
	There was an abundance of additions made to the Village in 1914. The first newspaper debuted and was known as the Elmwood Park Sentinel. An ordinance was also passed establishing a Village speed limit of 15 mph.
	One year later, the Village began many improvements. The first Board of Heath Department was created. The Village's first cement sidewalks were laid on Grand Avenue and the first church, Elmwood Park Baptist, was built at 7366 Grand Avenue.
	During the beginning years, many improvements were made along with additions to improve the new Village. By 1921, the Village decided to change the names of the streets into numbered Avenues. In 1924, the Villagers petitioned the Milwaukee railroad stop at 75th Avenue. Not long after, three musicians were killed when struck by a train at the 73rd Avenue crossing. During that year the United States Postal Office started to distribute mail throughout the Village.
	In 1926, ornamental streetlights were placed on Grand Avenue and a ten o'clock curfew was enforced. Harlem Avenue was paved and the first traffic light at the corner of Grand and Harlem was installed during 1930.
	Twenty-five years (1939) marks the Village's Silver Anniversary. The school system expanded by not only adding John Mills School but also by expanding Elmwood School. In 1949, Elm School opened its doors and in 1956 Elmwood Park High School opened as well. All of these schools remain in operation today.
	War began again in Europe and in 1940, Draft Board No. 5 opened its doors on Harlem Avenue. Not long after, War Price and Rationing Board No. 13, opened an office at the Village Hall, to serve the Leyden and Norwood Park areas. Pioneer Publications Company of Oak Park began to publish a newspaper for Elmwood Park, The Mont Clare - Leyden Herald, which later, in the early 1970s, became The Elm Leaves. In addition, a new post office, approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, opened on Harlem Avenue, to provide better mail service for the entire community.
	By 1945, the Village was included in the Metropolitan Transit System, bringing improved and reliable transportation to the entire area.
	Elected in 1953, Village President Elmer W. Conti oversaw and guided the Village through postwar modernization. For two consecutive years, in 1954 and 1955, Elmwood Park was presented the All American City Citation by the National Municipal League and Look Magazine for effective, and efficient government, community improvements and outstanding citizen action.
	Elmwood Park, in the 1960s, encountered more municipal improvements. A new Municipal Code was enacted and a modern courtroom was constructed in the Village Hall. A new Post Office opened at Fullerton and 73rd Avenue, and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) extended metropolitan bus services on Grand Avenue.
	Before long, the Village celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1964 with a Golden Jubilee event.
	On January 26, 1967, the Village was paralyzed by a major snowstorm. Snow fell for twenty-nine hours and over three feet accumulated. All transportation stopped and snowdrifts were over five feet. It was the largest snow storm noted in Village history since the "Blizzard of 1878" when Farmer Marwood rescued passengers from a Chicago & Pacific line stuck in a snow drift on the Marwood Farm.
	In December of 1974, the newly constructed recreational center, named the Elmwood Park Civic Center, opened its doors to the public, and soon after, in 1975, residents were enjoying the new public library facility.
	In honor of Village President Elmer Conti, Elmwood Parkway was officially renamed Conti Parkway.
	In 1984, the Village held the first annual "Taste of Elmwood Park," the annual 4th of July celebration. Food, games, music, arts and crafts, carnival rides, and fireworks are all included in the celebration. An addition to the Village Hall was completed that same year, and in 1985, long-time Village President Elmer Conti, retired after 32 years of service.
	A 1985 referendum for paramedic services was defeated, but plans for a new fire station on Conti Parkway was launched. Trustee Donald Storino was elected Village President in 1985.
	In 1986, the Elmwood Park Library celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Sadly, during that same year, the Village lost two of its long-time residents. Village Manager, Richard Nuzzo, and well-known pioneer and businessman Albert Biancalana, Sr., both passed away. Nuzzo served as Village Manager for twelve years. Biancalana opened his business in 1929 at 7400 Grand Avenue. Still run by the Biancalana family, Elmcrest Banquets is the oldest business in Elmwood Park in its original location.
	In 1987, Village President Storino resigned due to ill health. Richard Torpe, a senior trustee, served as Acting Village President until the 1989 Election of Peter N. Silvestri.
	In 1989, the 75th Anniversary of Elmwood Park was celebrated throughout the Village.
	By 1990, the Village of Elmwood Park had grown from a rural community of 1,038 in 1914, to a community of 23,206 residents.
	In 1991, Village Fire and Police services were vastly improved through the implementation of a state-of-the-art "911" calling system and full-computerized dispatch system.
	Goodbye 60635, hello 60707! In 1996, residents have their own zip code. Elmwood Park's U.S. Postal Service identifier was now 60707. In the Summer of 1996, Illinois Governor, Jim Edgar joined Village President, Peter Silvestri, State Representative, Angelo (Skip) Saviano, Village Trustees and Village residents at a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open Elmwood Park's largest outdoor park facility to date. Central Park developed with the help of two grants totaling six hundred thousand dollars from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
	At the site of the old south-side fire station at Fullerton and 74th Court, a newly constructed, modern Public Safety Building opened, housing both police and fire departments.
	The Village Aquatic Center, Elmwood Park's first-ever swimming facility, and expanded facilities at the Recreation Building (formerly called the Civic Center) were dedicated. The Village Board also approved the "Sister City" relationship, which included cultural and athletic exchanges and the sharing of information regarding government, with Frosinone, Italy. Frosinone is located approximately 40 miles southeast of Rome in a hilly, picturesque area of the Region of Lazio.
	The "Storm of 97" was one which Elmwood Park residents will long remember! Severe and damaging storms which passed through the Chicagoland area on August 16, 1997, resulted in Governor Jim Edgar issuing a state disaster proclamation designating Cook County a 'disaster area.' Fortunately, no physical injuries resulted; however, the torrential downpour did bring significant and overwhelming damage and loss for many residents. The Village established a Flood Relief Reimbursement Program to assist homeowners in preparing their homes for future storms.
	In 1999, Village President, Peter Silvestri proudly announced that between 1993 and 1999, Elmwood Park experienced a twenty-five percent drop in crime, giving much credit to the implementation of Community-Oriented Policing, and increased inter-jurisdictional cooperation with neighboring communities.

Last Updated: Friday September 15, 2006 09:12 AM -0500


	11 Conti Parkway * Elmwood Park, Illinois 60707 Telephone 708.452.7300 * Fax 708.452.3957
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