Welcome to OLPL’s Local History Page
The Local History Room is a small museum full of photos, objects, books, maps, stories and other items that chronicle and celebrate Oak Lawn’s colorful history. On this page you will find easy buttons to do specific searches, links to local history databases containing old newspapers and obituaries, and upcoming programs and events. The museum is located on the second floor of the Library.
Local History Collection
Local History has its own website where you can search our entire collection.
Contact Local History
Please contact the Local History Librarian with any questions or donations to our collection by calling 708-422-4990 ext. 530.
Women’s History
View more than 900 items related to women’s history in Oak Lawn including photos, documents, objects and oral history interviews.
Yearbooks
View more than 240 yearbooks from local schools and organizations including OLCHS, Harold L. Richards, Covington, Reavis, BICHS and more.
Black History
View items related to black history in Oak Lawn including photos, documents and oral history interviews.
World War II
View more than 480 items connected to World War II including photos, oral history interviews, objects and more.
Oak Lawn Fire Department
Search over 1,202 records containing photos, documents and physical objects about Oak Lawn’s Fire Department.
Oak Lawn Police Department
Search over 600 records containing photos, documents and physical objects about Oak Lawn’s Police Department.
Newspaper Index
The Newspaper Index contains more than 87,000 references to people, places and events from 1988-present. Indexed papers include the Oak Lawn Independent, Village View, Reporter, Southtown and more.
Obituary Index
The obituary Index contains more than 245,000 references to obituaries and death notices from 1985 to present. Indexed papers include the Oak Lawn Independent, Village View, Reporter, Southtown and more.
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 Books
Two great Oak Lawn books written by the Library’s former Local History Manager Kevin Korst, published by Arcadia Publishing.
Chicago History
Browse the Library’s online catalog to find hundreds of books exploring the history of Chicago and its suburbs!