Clarendon Hills puts history front and center
By Chuck Fieldman
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In his own way, Chuck Brand has been a part of Clarendon Hills’ history for many years as the village celebrates its Centennial in 2024.
Brand has lived in Clarendon Hills for 68 of his nearly 70 years and has been involved with the village’s Historical Society for the past 15 years, including eight as board president.
Both of those factors have made this year’s 100th anniversary of Clarendon Hills quite special for him.
“As a longtime resident, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the past — what a great place to grow up and raise my family,” said Brand, whose lone two years living outside of Clarendon Hills were when he and his wife lived in Hinsdale after getting married, before buying a home in Clarendon Hills in 1979.
“The Centennial is a great opportunity to learn how early residents volunteered and worked together to build our community and to educate our younger residents about what a special community we have.”
The history that has made up the past 100 years, since the area previously known as West Hinsdale became incorporated as Clarendon Hills, named for a Boston suburb, on Jan. 22, 1924, has become more front and center because of the Centennial celebration. And as a longtime board member of the Historical Society, Brand is pleased with that.
“The Society is dedicated to preserving, discovering, and sharing information about the history of Clarendon Hills,” he said. “We do this to promote and encourage the knowledge of the history of Clarendon Hills and the preservation of its antiquities. And to aid in the dissemination of historical information in Clarendon Hills.”
When the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad began service in the area in 1864, farmers initially used it as a milk stop, according to historical information from the village. The scenic terrain soon attracted speculators, headed up by James M. Walker, then president of the railroad, who hoped to develop a commuter suburb.
The area was platted in 1873 with a design inspired by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Accordingly, numbered lots of various shapes and sizes were placed along winding streets that followed the natural contours of the land.
The 1880 census reported 14 families for a total of 66 residents in the village, according to information from the Historical Society, which was founded 50 years later by members of Friends of the Library, who recognized the importance of preserving village history.
The first police officer was appointed in 1924, the same year the village was incorporated. Orrin Goode was the first village president, and a business district was developed to serve the growing population of commuters. Village Hall was built at 1 N. Prospect Ave. in 1965 and added onto in 1992. The first Village Manager was Lloyd Church in 1959.
A real boom in Clarendon Hills followed World War II, as the population increased from 933 in 1930 to 5,885 by 1960.
Along with a continued effort to keep the history of the village alive, the Clarendon Hills Historical Society has been involved in several events to celebrate the village’s Centennial. In addition, village officials formed a Centennial Committee for the year chaired by Suzanne Austin, who also is president of the Clarendon Hills Park Board.
Austin said the Committee was formed because village trustees wanted to make sure that the Centennial would be a meaningful and memorable year for residents.
“They did not have the capacity or time to plan and execute all of the details, and they wanted input from resident leaders in the community,” she said. “Fortunately, longtime residents with varied backgrounds have stepped up to lend their experience and their time putting together a fabulous Centennial calendar that has something for residents of all ages.
“All of the Centennial events planned are focused around three pillars: educating our citizens about our town’s history and the people that helped build it over the past 100 years, connecting our residents by bringing us together through our series of events throughout 2024, and motivating our residents to be volunteers and leaders of the future.”
Austin said residents probably first became aware of the Centennial when special light post banners were installed throughout the downtown area heading into the new year.
“Social media, digital media, and print media sources have also helped to publicize the events being hosted during the Centennial year,” she said, adding that several Facebook group pages have also featured information for the community.
Various activities for the Centennial have been ongoing since the beginning of the year and will continue for the rest of 2024.
More information about village- planned events is available online at www.clarendonhills.us/484/Centennial.
September will bring the Centennial year to a close with two very special events, Austin said. The Centennial Committee is planning The Amazing Centennial Race, at which teams of residents will go from stop to stop throughout the village, where they will be asked to answer special questions and perform unique challenges.
Also, the capstone event, a Ravinia-style Centennial Concert in the Park and drone fireworks show is being planned. Dates and further information about these two events will be forthcoming, Austin said.
A Clarendon Hills Village Centennial History Book is in the works and will be available by this Fall. Books cost $50 each and may be ordered online at www.clarendonhillshistory.org/order-book for pickup, and those who order the book will be notified when and where it may be picked up. The paperback book will be in full color with a glossy cover.
In addition to the book, a documentary about the village’s history was planned for a premier showing at the June 14-15 Daisy Days festival. And a time capsule is planned, with details to be announced.
Some younger residents got involved in the Centennial with submissions by students in grades 4-8 for a Centennial Art Competition with the theme, “What inspires you most about Clarendon Hills.”
The artwork will be on display at Village Hall through the end of the year. ■
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