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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE VILLAGE OF PALOS PARK’S 110th ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, Palos Park is a village in southwestern Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Geography played an important role in the settling and shaping of Palos Park; and
WHEREAS, Glaciers left behind forested ravines, freshwater springs, and fertile farmland which became home to the Potawatomi and other Native American tribes before the French explorers passed through the Palos area; and
WHEREAS, French earthwork ruins, coins and Native American pottery pieces were found on area farms; and
WHEREAS, In 1834 the Paddock family were the first Europeans to settle in Palos, closely followed by John D. McCord, Samuel Mahaffay, Adam Boyce, George Pettijohn, Robert Lucas, and others; and
WHEREAS, Some early settlers built log houses, then cut and transported timber to the growing city of Chicago on canal barges for construction or fuel; and
WHEREAS, Other settlers scratched out a place in the hills or fertile flatland of the south township, raising cattle, chickens, pigs, and goats; and
WHEREAS, They farmed the land with horse and plow, growing all the food they would need to survive in the remote area of early Palos; and
WHEREAS, The construction of the I&M Canal in 1848 would bring immigrant workers to the area, with the population of early settlers consisting of farmers, laborers, blacksmiths and wood cutters; and
WHEREAS, In 1850, Palos Township received its name from the first Postmaster, Melachan A. Powell, who renamed it from “Trenton”. Powell’s cabin also housed the first school in 1838; and
WHEREAS, By the late 1880s, there would be six one-room framed school houses in Palos Township; and
WHEREAS, The arrival of the Wabash Railroad in the 1890s opened the remote rural community of Palos, giving residents a new accessibility to the city and its opportunities. Residents began traveling to the city for work, so farmers began subdividing their land for development; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago Sharpshooter’s Association took the train to Palos in 1894, purchasing 39 acres across from the train depot for $16,500 to build the first and largest recreational development in Palos Park; and
WHEREAS, The Sharpshooter’s Club was the most elaborate and expensive club in the country when sharpshooting competitions was one of the era’s biggest sports; and
WHEREAS, The growing community felt the need for a local government, incorporating the Village of Palos Park as a commission form of government in 1914, with Newspaper editor Ballard Dunn serving as the first mayor, and Ray Bumstead, J.W. Mahaffay, Bruce Summers, and Edward Tourtelot becoming the first Village Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, Their Village Aid Plan ushered in new and improved roads, electricity, indoor plumbing, and telephones. Recognizing the value of the natural beauty of the land, Village officials created laws requiring one-acre residential lots, limiting industrial and business development to the Wabash Railroad site; and
WHEREAS, The Cook County Forest Preserves surrounding Palos Park on three sides have insulated the Village from suburban sprawl, giving it a timeless look, while the green belt of forest preserves insulates it from the bustle of larger neighboring suburbs and the city; and
WHEREAS, Palos Park remains a small, mostly residential village, defined by the independent spirit of those who settled the land and worked together to build a community with a shared sense of pride, proudly celebrating its 110th Anniversary in 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Cook County Commissioner Sean M. Morrison and the entire Cook County Board extends its heartiest congratulations and well-wishes to the Village of Palos Park on their 110th year of incorporation, wishing them continued success in their commitment to community in all the years to come; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to The Village of Palos Park.
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