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History of Our Area
The first inhabitants, the Native Americans, loved this area and respected the lake, trees, animals and nature in general. The Pottawatomie and other regional tribes used two famous trails, known today as Rogers Avenue and Ridge Avenue.
In the 1830s the settlers came -- the Irish, English, Germans, Luxembourgers and several others. The first was Philip Rogers who traded with the Indians and eventually purchased 1,600 acres of land from the U.S. Government. His daughter, Catherine, married Patrick L. Touhy who founded the Rogers Park Building and Land Association in 1871 with major developers Greenleaf, Lunt, Morse, Farwell and Pratt. Rogers Park was incorporated as a village in 1878 and West Ridge in 1890. Both communities were annexed to Chicago on April 4, 1893.
Through the years, immigrants have added their vitality and vision, attested by the many significant educational and cultural institutions, places of worship, businesses and community organizations that now reflect the diversity in our neighborhoods.
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