Local History
The Local History Collection is a Reference Collection containing books and documents telling the story of Park Ridge and the Chicago area. All available books and directories are listed in the Library’s Catalog. To view any of the Local History books, or learn more about the local clipping file, ask at the second floor Reference Desk.
Highlights of the Collection
City Directories: 1922-1923, 1930-1931, 1948, 1949
Phone Books: 1923, 1929-1931, 1933 to present (Missing: 1954, 1957, 1959, and 1966)
The Spokesman: June 1979 - Current
Sanborn Maps: 1894, 1905, 1924, 1950 (available on a flash drive at the Reference Desk)
Yearbooks from Maine Township High Schools:
(including the yearbooks of Hillary Clinton and Harrison Ford)
Maine Township High School: 1913-1914, 1915, 1919
Maine East (Lens): 1937-Current (1961 and 1968 yearbooks are only available digitally)
Maine West (Legend): 1964-Current
Maine South (Eyrie): 1965-1970, 1972-Current
Maine North (Saga): 1971-1981
Microfilm of the Park Ridge newspapers:
Herald: 1889-1923(misc.); 1929-1986
Times Herald: 1987-1995
Advocate: 1942-1995
Herald-Advocate: 1995-Present
Through the Library’s website, you can search our local newspaper Obituaries Index. This index lists the dates and page numbers of obituaries from our local papers. The actual obituaries are available to scan or print from microfilm in the Library. If you have any questions, Ask Us!
Full text, including advertisements and classified ads, fully searchable Park Ridge newspapers. Coverage: full run from 1929-1935 and 1937-2022 of the Park Ridge Advocate, Park Ridge Herald, and Park Ridge Herald Advocate, including scraps of the Park Ridge Herald from 1889-1923. (Only available in the Library) Generously provided by the Harold E. Schefdore Gift Fund.
Online Park Ridge History
City of Park Ridge, History Information
Veterans History Project was started in conjunction with 2011's Park Ridge Reads program. The Reader Services Department interviewed local WWII veterans as well as collected artifacts and photographs from veterans and civilians who were involved with supporting the war effort. For more information, please call the Reader Services Department at 847-720-3280 or use this form.
The Illinois Digital Archives website run by the Illinois State Library includes three Park Ridge Public Library collections to search or browse:
- Pieces of Park Ridge includes photographs and other items from community organizations, businesses and citizens.
Please call 847-720-3230 in advance to make sure the item you would like to view is available.