Beer, biers, and more beer . . . the name Forest Park will usually evoke images of taverns or cemeteries. While both have played an important role in the prosperity and growth of the community, there is so much more to this community once known as Harlem. Originally the site of a Potawatomi Indian village and burial ground, the town has also been home to an amusement park, a torpedo factory, a golf course, a racetrack, and a baseball stadium. The blue-collar sibling to neighbors Oak Park and River Forest has weathered many changes. Prohibition during the 1920s saw the closure of 39 taverns. The building of the Congress Expressway in the 1950s forced the relocation of over 3,500 graves, dozens of homes and businesses, destroyed landmarks, and severed the town. Through it all, Forest Park has persevered, though much of its past has disappeared.
Kenneth J. Knack was born and raised in Forest Park and continues to serve the village as an auxiliary police officer. His lifelong fascination with local history manifests itself in his personal collection of postcards and other memorabilia. By presenting and interpreting this collection, along with photographs gathered from numerous sources, Knack hopes to rekindle an interest in Forest Park's past.