A fascinating history of Park Ridge, Illinois, detailing its diverse
community and past.
In 1835, immigrants began to arrive from New York and New England to the
area first called Pennyville, later renamed Brickton to reflect its
leading industry, then finally incorporated as the Village of Park Ridge
in 1873. The name originates from the village's park-like setting and an
erroneous belief that the ridge at Johnston's Circle--today the
three-way intersection of Touhy, Prospect, and Northwest Highway--was
the highest point in Cook County. Notable names associated with Park
Ridge include Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and actor Harrison
Ford, who both attended Maine East High School; Chicago Cubs great Ron
Santo, who operated a popular pizzeria in town; and painter Grant Wood,
whose American Gothic is one of the 20th century's great works of
Americana. Anchored by the landmark Pickwick Theater, a fine example of
art deco architecture built in 1928, downtown Park Ridge has changed
much over the years, a transformation captured so well in the pages of
this book.