
Back by Popular Demand! Revisit “Voices in the Wind: Remembering the 1967 Tornado” in the Local History Gallery Space on the library’s second floor.
Local History Program: The 1967 Tornado: Share Your Stories
Saturday, Jul. 8 at 10 a.m.
Join Local History Librarian Kaye Jansen in an open discussion of the impact of the 1967 tornado. Listen to survivors’ tales and share your own.
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 87,000 references from 1988-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.
History Spotlight: Early Oak Lawn Postcards
Cook Avenue School, Circa 1910
Opened in 1906, Cook Avenue School was the first multi-room educational facility in the village. Several years after this image was taken a second story was added.
William Gaddis home on South Cook Avenue
Looking north, this postcard features homes situated along Cook Avenue. The home on the left, constructed by William H. Gaddis, is still located at 9632 South Cook.
Behrend’s Hardware Store
Located at 5300 West 95th Street, Behrend’s Hardware was an early Oak Lawn businesses. The store sold a number of different items including agricultural implements.
If you have a question, please email localhistory@olpl.org or fill out the form below.