Oak Lawn Local History
Explore the Local History Collection
Search the Local History collection online and view more than 21,000 unique items including photos, documents, objects, yearbooks, telephone books and much more!
Oak Lawn Newspaper Index
Check out the Library’s local newspaper index containing more than 86,000 references from 1988-present.
Oak Lawn Obituary Index
Check out the Library’s local obituary index containing references to more than 244,000 obits and death notices from 1985-present.
Microfilm
View digitized microfilm from the Oak Lawn Independent and the Village View newspapers! Issues range from 1933-2014 and are hosted by the Internet Archive.
Oak Lawn History Books
Discover the history of Oak Lawn through the Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing! Both titles are available for checkout at the library or copies can be purchased online.
Chicago History Books
Browse the Library’s online catalog to find dozens of books exploring the history of Chicago and its suburbs!
History Spotlight: Oak Lawn From Above
95th Street and Cook Avenue, circa 1950.
Looking south, this aerial photo captures 95th Street and Cook Avenue. Most of the structures present in this image no longer stand.
95th Street and Cicero Avenue, 1963
Looking down, this aerial photo features 95th Street and Cicero Avenue. Along the top the Green Oaks Shopping Center is visible.
105th Street and Central Avenue, 1982
Looking southeast, this aerial photo captures 105th Street and Central Avenue. At the top of the image is the campus of Harold L. Richards High School.
95th Street and Cook Avenue, circa 1999
Looking north, the area surrounding 95th Street and Cook Avenue is pictured. Significant redevelopment has occurred here over the last three decades.
Find Local History on Twitter!
Find Local History on Facebook!
Find Local History on Flickr!
Find Local History on HistoryPin!