150 Years of History
Explore the depth and breadth of one of Chicagoland’s oldest suburbs.
Melrose Park Historical
Digital Collections
The past is always with us, for it feeds the present.
Death Index
Explore Death Notices which from the weekly local newspaper in Melrose Park, Illinois since 1941.
Remembering Melrose Park
Explore this selection of sixty-seven photographs depicts the early history of the village and its residents.
Winston Park Development
Explore the construction of Winston Park Development subdivision in 1956.
Tornado of 1920
The tornado of 1920 is a reminder of how terrible Mother Nature can be. Explore this collection of photographs of the aftermath of this deadly storm.
Then and Now
See how the world has changed. This album shows sites as they were in 1907 and beautifully recreated in 2007.
Souvenir Book
Go back in time and visit Melrose Park in 1907 with this commissioned souvenir book.
Mail-Order Houses
From 1908 until 1940, ordering a new house was as easy as picking up your Sears catalog.
Library Archives
The Melrose Park Library historical collection includes the following items.
Veterans History Project
The Veterans History Project’s mission is to collect and preserve stories of wartime service.
about MELROSE PARK MEMORIES
Explore More About us
Step back in time and discover the rich history of Melrose Park, Illinois. Every town has a story to tell and Melrose Park is no different. Incorporated in 1882, Melrose Park has undergone a series of industrial and demographic evolutions, but has always remained a vibrant close-knit community. In many ways, the history of Melrose Park, Illinois mirrors the history of other Midwestern prairie communities that were transformed by the development of railroads, the rise and fall of heavy industry, the onset of wars, and the influx of different immigrant groups seeking the American dream. These digital collections provide an overview of a vibrant, ever- adapting community that actively embraces its old traditions while creating new ones.
about MELROSE PARK
About Us
This website is brought to you courtesy of the Melrose Park Public Library and the former members of the Melrose Park Historical Society, who donated their time, their passion, and their precious memorabilia in order to keep the history of this unique community alive. An integral part of our mission as a public library is to recognize and celebrate the value of exploring yesterday in order to understand today. This site is dedicated to the past, present, and future residents of Melrose Park, Illinois.