Online Resources:
This database includes articles and advertisements from 1849 to the Present. This database is accessible through the Maine South Library website or through the Park Ridge Library website.
To access the database from home:
Go to www.parkridgelibrary.org
Click on "Research"
Then click on "Premium Resources"
Over 55,000 images of Chicago captured on glass plate negatives by Chicago Daily News photographers between the years 1902 and 1933.
Thousands of historical resources that include articles, photos, maps, broadsides and newspapers related to Chicago's colorful and complex history.
This collection includes information and bibliographies on Al Capone, Chicago Fire, Fort Dearborn, Columbian Exposition, Pullman Era, Stockyards, A Century of Progress, The Black Sox, and Parades, Protests, and Politics in Chicago.
The Chicago Historical Museum has created this digital collection to provide on-line access to its primary source materials relating to the Haymarket Affair.
The Dramas of Haymarket examines selected materials from the Chicago Historical Society's Haymarket Affair Digital Collection and interprets these materials.
This online exhibition was created by the Chicago Historical Society and Northwestern University to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Chicago Fire. The exhibition includes essays, photographs, eyewitness accounts, and example of how the fire has been remembered and commemorated through the years.
The Great Lakes Collection contains 550 images of Illinois and the Great Lakes from the French period of exploration and settlement to the early 20th Century.
This website has a digital copy of The Book of the Fair by Hubert Howe Bancroft published in 1893.
Three hundred and fifty pamphlets published for the fair have been digitized and made available for on-line viewing.
The Chicago Police Department Homicide Record Index chronicles 11,000 homicides in the city during 1870 through 1930.
This collection includes narrative summaries of famous cases, images of original case documents, and advice on how to get further information about the cases.
Oral records of Chicago architects show life experiences of those who shaped the physical environment in Chicago and surrounding communities.
Digital Illinois is a consortium of libraries in Illinois. It contains digital history collections from libraries, historical societies, museums, and other cultural institutions in Illinois. The collections contain image, text, and audio files.
The Library’s Digital Past collections have been added to the Illinois Digital Archives website run by the Illinois State Library. These archives include local histories, photographs, postcards, and much more!
Included are three collections from the Park Ridge Public Library that are available to search or browse:
- The Mel Tierney American Legion Post collection: includes index cards and newspaper articles about local residents who served during World War II.
- Two history books of Park Ridge: The History of Park Ridge, 1841-1926 and A History of Park Ridge by Orvis Jordan.
- Pieces of Park Ridge: this collection includes photographs and other items from community organizations, businesses and citizens.
Park Ridge Library Resources:
When researching Illinois history topics at the Park Ridge Public Library there are multiple places to find materials. Make sure to check our online catalog for further information on our holdings.
Circulating Materials
There are various areas to find materials in our circulating collection. It depends on the specific topic being researched. Here are some of the biggest subject areas for Chicago history.
Subjects:
Great Lakes and Midwest History
Illinois and Chicago History
Oversize Chicago History
Chicago Architecture books
Chicago Travel |
Call Numbers:
977
977.3
Oversize 977.3
720.977
917.731 |
Reference Books
Our reference books are in the stacks across from the Reference desk. These books cannot be checked out, but can be used in the library and photocopied.
General American history books are in the Ref 970's
This area includes titles such as:
American Eras
Encyclopedia of American History
American Decades
Working Americans, 1880-2006 |
Call Numbers:
Ref. 973 AME
Ref. 973.03 ENC
Ref. 973.9 AME
Ref. 973.9 DER |
Illinois and Chicago history books are in the Ref 977's
This area includes titles such as:
The American Midwest:
An Interpretive Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of Illinois
Encyclopedia of Chicago
Chicago Ward Maps |
Call Numbers:
Ref. 977.003 AME
Ref. 977.3 ENC
Ref. 977.311 ENC
Ref. 977.311 STY |
Heritage Room Materials
Heritage Room Materials are non-circulating materials that require an ID or library card to use. Heritage Room titles are in a closed staff area, therefore they are not available for browsing. All Heritage Room books are in our online catalog available through www.parkridgelibrary.org. Once a title and call number are identified in our catalog, a staff member at the reference desk will retrieve the item. There is a limit of two Heritage Room Items at a time. Materials that are fragile are subject to review by a librarian before the items can be used.
Chicago History Magazine
The Park Ridge Public Library has The Chicago History Magazine from 1945 to current, with some issues missing. The current issue can be found in our Magazine section of the Reference Room. Back issues are in storage and need to be requested at the reference desk. Past issues of the Chicago History Magazine require an ID or library card for use and are non-circulating.
Other Resources:
There are several other libraries and museums in the Chicago area where you can find Chicago History information.
The Chicago Public Libray website features a Learn Chicago section that has links to library collections and online resources on Chicago history. You may also want to visit one of the many Chicago Public Library branches in person to use their collections.
Visit the Chicago History Museum online or in person to learn about Chicago history firsthand. Current exhibitions include information on Schaumburg, quilting, mapping Chicago, and more.
The official site of the History Fair. See their resource guide and directory of local historical collections. |