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History of Oak Park
Oak Park is a thriving community of more than 52,000 people, known for its architectural heritage. Within its 4.5 square miles live a diverse mix of people with different cultures, races, ethnicities, professions, lifestyles, religions, ages and incomes.
Primarily a residential community proximate to the City of Chicago, Oak Park is the birthplace and childhood home of novelist Ernest Hemingway. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright lived in Oak Park from 1889- 1909, and 25 buildings in the village were designed by him, including his first public building, Unity Temple, a Unitarian Universalist church. His restored home and studio is open for daily tours. There are many architecturally significant homes, ranging from Victorian to Prairie style, in the village's two historic districts. Other famous Oak Parkers include: Edgar Rice Burroughs, the creator of "Tarzan"; Percy Julian, chemist whose research led to the development of Cortisone; Joseph Kerwin, an astronaut on the first NASA Skylab team; Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's; and, Marjorie Judith Vincent, 1991 Miss America. Recent attention has focused on the redevelopment of downtown Oak Park with new retail anchors, and an intermodal transportation facility.
And in the year 2004, Brad Barrett opened up the first film studio in Oak Park.