POSTAL SERVICE WINDOW – From one of Franklin Park’s early Post Offices, c1900. Donated by Daniel Pritchett

We began collecting materials for the Franklin Park Public Library’s Local History Department shortly after Louise Keuck was hired as head librarian (1962). At that time, Miss Keuck had the foresight to begin to save such things as Franklin Park telephone books, photographs, and high school yearbooks. Lillian O’Boyle was hired as local history librarian in 1973. The collection grew to include oral histories, newspaper clippings, biographical information on early settlers, additional photographs, maps, etc. Today we continue to collect these, as well as other materials.

Our newspaper collection begins with the first issue of the Franklin Park Journal (September 13, 1946). The Franklin Park Journal combined with the Franklin Park Herald in 1983. We have continued this collection to date. Past issues of the newspaper have been bound and are available on microfilm.

The East Leyden Yearbooks date back to 1928. We own the East Leyden yearbooks from the years 1928-32, 1934, 1936-39, and 1951-present. (We are hoping to fill in the missing dates to help complete our collection. If you have a yearbook volume you wish to donate, please contact Mark Johnson at 847-455-6016, ext. 234.) We own the West Leyden Yearbooks from 1960 to the present. If you would like to view one of the yearbooks, please inquire at the Adult Services Desk or the Local History Department.

STAINED GLASS – Created and given to the library for its new home (10311 Grand Ave.) by Kevin Eagleton, 1984. The tree symbolizes knowledge and the life it nourishes.

We also have U.S. Census microfilm covering the Leyden Township area for 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1910, 1920, and 1930. Ask in the Local History Department to view these microfilms.

Our photograph collection includes many from the Hammill Photography Studios, dating back as far as 1942. Many of the photographs on the local history portion of this web site are courtesy of Hammill Photography. We have also acquired some photographs from the 1890’s (which were taken from glass plate negatives). Photographs predating Hammill Studios can also be found in the collection. Many of the photos, historical or otherwise, can be found on the Franklin Park Library Flickr page.

We are always looking for additional materials to add to our local history collection. If you have materials you wish to donate or know of anyone who might, please contact Mark Johnson at 847-455-6016, ext. 234 or e-mail him at mjohnson@franklinparklibrary.org. Also contact Mr. Johnson if you are looking for information about Franklin Park history.