Historical Committee

VILLAGE OF HANOVER PARK HISTORIC COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING 2121 W Lake Street, Room 212, Hanover Park, IL Tuesday, July 28, 2026 6:00 p.m. AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Acceptance of Agenda 3. Presentations/Reports – none 4. Approval of Minutes 4-a. Motion to approve the meeting minutes from May 26, 2026, as presented. 4-b. Motion to approve the meeting minutes from June 23, 2026, as presented. 5. Townhall People wishing to address the public body must register prior to the Call to Order. Please note that public comment is limited to 5 minutes per speaker. 6. Old Business 6-a. Historic Preservation of Photographs. Ongoing 6-b. Historic Preservation/Organizing Documents/Items of Historical Significance – ongoing 6-c. Historic Timeline of the Village. See attached. Ongoing 6-d. Identify structures of historical significance, including Sears & Montgomery Ward Catalog homes built in Hanover Park. See attached. Ongoing Page 1 of 2 Historical Committee Agenda – June 23, 2026  6-h. 2026 Heritage Plaque Program. Discussion on properties to be considered for selection. 7. Action Items: 7-a. Need a decision on 2026 Heritage Marker recipients. Previously discussed properties included the Illinois Pet Cemetery located at 6N347 County Farm Road and the residence located at 27W024 Ontarioville Road. 8. New Business 8-a. Board Liaison Update 8-b. Staff Liaison Update • Upcoming 2026 meetings: July 28, August 25, September 22, and October 27 *** No meetings in November and December. 8-c. Committee Members Update 9. Adjournment Page 2 of 2 Historical Committee Agenda – June 23, 2026  VILLAGE OF HANOVER PARK HISTORIC COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING 2121 W Lake Street, Room 212, Hanover Park, IL Tuesday, May 26, 2026 6:00 p.m. MEETING MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL Chairman Irene Walther called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. PRESENT: Members: Trustee Liza Gutierrez, Chairman Irene Walther, Member Lisa Mueller, Member Erika Griesemer, and Member Maria Woerle ABSENT: Members: Member Ken Carlson VILLAGE Officer Kevin Pini, Director Shubhra Govind STAFF PRESENT: GUESTS: 2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Member Griesemer made a motion to accept the agenda, which was seconded by Member Mueller. Voice Vote. All Ayes. Motion Passes. 3. PRESENTATIONS / REPORTS: 3-a. None. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 4-a. Member Griesemer made a motion to accept the minutes from April 28, 2026, which was seconded by Member Mueller. Voice Vote. All Ayes. Motion Passes. 5. TOWNHALL SESSION: 5-a. None.  6. OLD BUSINESS (NON-ACTION ITEMS): 6-a. Historic Preservation of Photographs – ongoing 6-b. Historic Preservation/Organizing Documents/Items of Historical Significance – ongoing 6-c. Historic Timeline of the Village. See attached. – Ongoing 6-d. Discuss process and resources for identifying structures of historical significance, including Sears & Montgomery Ward Catalog homes built in Hanover Park. See attached. – ongoing 6-e. Coloring Book – Ongoing. Director Govind will present the Committee with a draft of the coloring book at the February 21, 2027 meeting. 6-f. Cemetery on Greenbrook Blvd 6-g. 2026 Heritage Plaque Program. Plaques were received. Discussion needed for presentation. Follow-up needed with Ontarioville School for presentation in the Fall. 6-h. 2026 Heritage Plaque Program. Discussion on properties to be considered for selection. 7. Action Items: 7-a. None. 8. NEW BUSINESS (NON-ACTION ITEMS): 8-a. Board Liaison Update 8-b. Staff Liaison Update • Upcoming 2025 meetings: June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, and October 27 *** No meetings in November and December. • The Committee will have a table at the June 19 Movie-in-the-Park from 6-8 pm at East Harbor Park (Wildwood Ln/Grosse Pointe Cir) as part of the America 250 Celebration. The movie will feature “National Treasure”. 8-c. Committee Members Update • Member Griesemer learned that Bruce Nemei, the sculptor of the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza “Eternal Flame,” had passed away. She requested that the verbiage be added to the coloring book page with the flame along the lines of, “In memory of Bruce Nemei, Sculptor of the “Eternal Flame,” which was designed by resident and veteran, Kenneth Griesemer. She also discussed the recent “Bartlett Bingo” activity created by the Bartlett Historical Society. 9. ADJOURNMENT At 7:10 p.m., Chairman Griesemer made a motion to adjourn, which Member Mueller seconded. Voice Vote. All Ayes. Motion Passes. Recorded and transcribed by: ____________________________ ____________________________ Officer Kevin Pini, Secretary Irene Walther, Chair On this 26th day of May, 2026 Historic Committee Meeting Minutes – May 26, 2026 Page 2 of 2  VILLAGE OF HANOVER PARK HISTORIC COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING 2121 W Lake Street, Room 212, Hanover Park, IL Tuesday, June 23, 2026 6:00 p.m. MEETING MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL Chairman Irene Walther called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. PRESENT: Members: Chairman Irene Walther, Member Lisa Mueller, Member Erika Griesemer, and Member Maria Woerle ABSENT: Members: Trustee Liza Gutierrez, and Member Ken Carlson VILLAGE Officer Kevin Pini STAFF PRESENT: GUESTS: 2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA Member Mueller made a motion to accept the agenda, which was seconded by Member Griesemer. Voice Vote. All Ayes. Motion Passes. 3. PRESENTATIONS / REPORTS: 3-a. None. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 4-a. Member Griesemer made a motion to accept the minutes from April 28, 2026, which was seconded by Member Mueller. Voice Vote. All Ayes. Motion Passes. 5. TOWNHALL SESSION: 5-a. None.  6. OLD BUSINESS (NON-ACTION ITEMS): 6-a. Historic Preservation of Photographs – ongoing 6-b. Historic Preservation/Organizing Documents/Items of Historical Significance – ongoing 6-c. Historic Timeline of the Village. See attached. – Ongoing 6-d. Discuss process and resources for identifying structures of historical significance, including Sears & Montgomery Ward Catalog homes built in Hanover Park. See attached. – ongoing 6-h. 2026 Heritage Plaque Program. Discussion on properties to be considered for selection. 7. Action Items: 7-a. Member Griesemer made a motion to recognize the Illinois Pet Cemetery located at 6N347 County Farm Road and the residence located at 27W024 Ontarioville Road for the 2026 Heritage Marker Program, which was seconded by Member Mueller. Voice Vote. All Ayes. Motion Passes. . 8. NEW BUSINESS (NON-ACTION ITEMS): 8-a. Board Liaison Update 8-b. Staff Liaison Update • Upcoming 2025 meetings: July 28, August 25, September 22, and October 27 *** No meetings in November and December. 8-c. Committee Members Update 9. ADJOURNMENT At 7:31 p.m., Chairman Griesemer made a motion to adjourn, which Member Mueller seconded. Voice Vote. All Ayes. Motion Passes. Recorded and transcribed by: ____________________________ ____________________________ Officer Kevin Pini, Secretary Irene Walther, Chair On this 23rd day of June, 2026 Historic Committee Meeting Minutes – June 23, 2026 Page 2 of 2  Hanover Park Timeline Date Event To avoid getting swallowed up by neighboring communities, the residents voted to August 14, 1958 incorporate the Village of Hanover Park. It became official on August 14, and Ontarioville was not included. Hanover Park had 125 registered voters and all but one person cast their ballots. The election made Gordon Jensen Hanover's Park's first Village President, along with September 27, 1958 members of his "People's Party," who were elected to the remaining positions in the Village. The first meeting of the Hanover Park Board of Trustees was held at Roy Schneider’s October 16, 1958 Grill, a restaurant that opened in 1951. November 14, 1958 Clyde West was appointed as first police chief. February 22, 1959 Acting Police Chief Carl Ahlstrand was killed in the line of duty. October 1, 1959 The first census was taken showing a population of 330 residents. October 28, 1961 Hanover Park held a dedication ceremony for the new village hall. February 24, 1962 The Hanover Park Lions Club was presented its club charter. October 25, 1962 Laurel Hill School held their dedication ceremony. Gromer Supermarket held its grand opening. Along with Pic-N-Pay Walgreen Agency November 14, 1962 Drug Store, Gromer’s was one of the first two shops in the new Park-N-Shop Shopping Center. This shopping center is now referred to as Hanover Square. Ahlstrand Fieldhouse was dedicated. The fieldhouse, and the park on which it is located, was named after Carl Ahlstrand, who was a trustee and Hanover Park's second police chief. He was killed on duty in 1959 by a semi-truck whose driver had June 23, 1963 lost control, an event also resulting in the deaths of two young children. The park later added “Rinne” to its name. This honored Emil Rinne, who was one of the founding fathers of Hanover Park. February 10, 1964 Hanover Highlands Elementary School opened. July 12, 1964 Hanover Park held its first annual “I Am an American Parade.” April 20, 1965 Eugene Domingue was elected Village President, replacing Gordon Jensen. Hanover Park Junior Women's Club began hosting meetings. Events and activities done by the Women's Club over the years included Christmas parties, blood draws, April 19, 1966 senior lunches, donating toys and food baskets, Halloween parties, environmental projects, a child fingerprinting and videotaping program run with the police department, a baby picture contest, and their annual fashion show. September 5, 1967 Anne Fox Elementary School opened. Ontarioville School held an open house for its new expansion, gaining eight new October 29, 1967 rooms and a gymnasium. The school originally opened in 1928. April 16, 1969 Richard Baker is elected Village President, replacing Eugene Domingue. President Richard Nixon visited the Metropolitan Sanitary District's new sewage Februrary 6, 1970 treatment plant in Hanover Park, which was the first major tertiary wastewater treatment center in the nation. October 31, 1977 Horizon Elementary School opened. According to the 1980 national census, Hanover Park’s population was 28,850. October 13, 1981 Spring Wood Middle School opened. October 15, 1981 Hanover Park artist Buck Warren unveiled his 25-foot-tall wooden “Pasadena Rose” sculpture. The sculpture would later stand in front of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. January 1, 1982 Elsie C. Johnson Elementary School opened. https://hpil1-my.sharepoint.com/personal/kpini_hpil_org/Documents/Historic Committee/Historic Timeline Page 1 of 4 7/24/2026 10:53 AM  Hanover Park Timeline Date Event April 15, 1982 Hanover Park officials approved Ontarioville’s annexation into Hanover Park. April 2, 1985 Sonya Crawshaw is elected Village President, replacing Lou Barone. The "People Tree" flag of Hanover Park is introduced. The tree represented the December 7, 1985 village working together and growing towards the future. January 1, 1990 According to the 1990 census, Hanover Park’s population was 32,895. January 1, 1990 Turnberry Lakes Business Park opened. Poplar Creek Public Library District’s Hanover Park branch opened to the public. It September 22, 1991 was later renamed after late Village President Sonya Crawshaw. July 19, 1992 Hanover Park became a sister city with Cape Coast, Ghana. The entirety of the village was linked together when Barrington and County Farm July 22, 1992 Roads were connected via an underpass under the Metra tracks. Schaumburg Library District’s Hanover Park branch opened to the public. A new January 1, 1993 building would later open in 2006. June 10, 1993 Canon groundbreaking November 2, 1993 Elgin O’Hare Expressway opened. January 1, 1994 Camcraft groundbreaking March 10, 1994 First Eagle National Bank opening Filming for the movie Normal Life , starring Ashley Judd and Luke Perry, took place in June 1, 1995 Hanover Park in June. The film tells the story of husband-and-wife bank robbers who at one point lived in Hanover Park. The film premiered October 25, 1996. June 15, 1995 Opening of Elgin-O'Hare Expressway September 14, 1995 Comark groundbreaking November 16, 1995 The ribbon cutting for the new Metra commuter station was held. December 19, 1995 Post Office Groundbreaking Dedication of Gazebo in Ontarioville Park October 16, 1996 DuComm groundbreaking New Sewage Treatment Plant #1 completed April 1, 1997 Irwin Bock is elected Village President, replacing Sonya Crawshaw. According to the 2000 national census, Hanover Park’s population was 38,278. Village President Irwin Bock passed away. Robert Packham had been serving as March 9, 2006 interim mayor since Village President Bock became ill. The village held the grand opening of its new multi-million dollar fire station at 6850 July 22, 2006 Barrington Road The station is dedicated in honor of Irwin Bock. May 17, 2007 Rodney S. Craig was sworn in as Village President, replacing Robert Packham. According to the 2010 national census, Hanover Park’s population was 37,973. September 10, 2010 Hanover Park became a sister city with Valparaiso, Zacatecas, Mexico. Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of Village Hall was dedicated. It is dedicated to the November 11, 2011 veterans of the United States. The eternal flame statue in the plaza was designed by Kenneth Griesemer and sculpted by Bruce A. Niemi. May 29, 2017 The War Dog sculpture was dedicated in Memorial Plaza. It honors all canines that have served in the U.S. armed forces. The statue was cast by Renee Bemis. The "America's Global Village" logo and flag were introduced at a board meeting. The December 17, 2017 multi-colored globe represents the different cultures of the people living in Hanover Park. According to the 2020 national census, Hanover Park’s population was 37,470. https://hpil1-my.sharepoint.com/personal/kpini_hpil_org/Documents/Historic Committee/Historic Timeline Page 2 of 4 7/24/2026 10:53 AM  Hanover Park Timeline Date Event March 13, 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic impacts schools, businesses, and Village operations. A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the new Ontarioville Plaza June 23, 2021 on Ontarioville Road. Hanover Barber Shop on Barrington Road closes its doors sixty years after Antonio December 30, 2023 Perri opened it. 1995-1996 Widening of County Farm Road between Ontarioville Road and Schick Road Fall 1992 Church Road extension - Barrington-County Farm Opening of Ontarioville Elementary School According to the 1960 national census, Hanover Park’s population was 451. Construction began on Hanover Builders’ second subdivision, Hanover Park Estates. This was located on the former Finke farm. People began moving into the Hanover Highlands subdivision near the end of 1962. Building for the Longmeadows subdivision began along Longmeadow Lane. The Hanover Park Park District formed. Emil Rinne was named first Park Commissioner. Tradewinds Shopping Center is completed. It was located at the northeast corner of Barrington Road and Irving Park Road. According to the 1970 national census, Hanover Park’s population was 11,916. Parkwood Elementary School opened. The Hanover Park-Ontarioville Historical Society is founded and Beth Carpenter is appointed to serve as its first chairwoman. Greenbrook Elementary School opened. Lou Barone is elected Village President, replacing Richard Baker. Hanover Park’s first female trustee, Janice Smith, is also elected. Albert Einstein Elementary School opened. The Hanover Park Park District Community Center at Walnut Avenue and Church Street opened. At the time of its completion, it was the largest park district facility in the state of Illinois (at 105,000 square feet). https://hpil1-my.sharepoint.com/personal/kpini_hpil_org/Documents/Historic Committee/Historic Timeline Page 3 of 4 7/24/2026 10:53 AM  Village Presidents Terms Gordon Jensen 1958-1965 Eugene Domingue 1965-1969 Richard Baker 1969-1973 Louis Barone 1973-1985 Sonya Crawshaw 1985-1997 Irv Bock 1997-2006 Robert Packham 2006-2007 Rodney Craig 2007-Present https://hpil1-my.sharepoint.com/personal/kpini_hpil_org/Documents/Historic Committee/List of Properties with Historical Significance Properties of Historical Significance in Hanover Park Montgomery Ward Sears Catalogue Date Property Address Street Property Known As Cataloge Home Notes Date Built Plaqued Home (Yes / No) Demolished (Yes /No) Immanuel Envangelical Lutheran Church, Smyrna Built elsewhere, then moved here. Gothic Revival 1 Church, Community of Hope architecture qualities. Graveyard south of Church 7N728 Church Road Church No No bldg. c 1870 Yes - 2023 2 7N728 Church Road Parsonage No No c 1870 Yes - 2023 3 7N581 County Farm Road Residence Yes No 1931 4 7N595 County Farm Road Residence Yes No 1927 5 2030 Devon 1951 2050 Devon 2070 Devon 2080 Devon 6 2090 Devon 1954 Ontarioville Elementary 7 2100 Elm Avenue School No No 1928 Yes - 2025 8 2060 Maple Avenue 1924 9 27W009 Oak Street 1937 10 27W010 Oak Street 1937 11 27W023 Oak Street 1945 12 27W029 Oak Street 1943 13 27W035 Oak Street 1955 14 1951 Ontarioville Road Prairie Station Pub No No c 1880 Yes - 2025 Original character still intact, the only brick house 15 Executive House / Dairy in the district. Formerly a dairy cooperative 27W250 Ontarioville Road Manager Building No No executive residence c 1900 16 27W014 Ontarioville Road A & A Music Previously a Newspaper Office 1900-1920 Yes - 2024 17 27W024 Ontarioville Road 1923 18 27W040 Ontarioville Road 1933 19 27W040 Ontarioville Road 1956 20 27W054 Ontarioville Road 1926 21 27W072 Ontarioville Road 1940 22 27W250 Ontarioville Road 1933 23 27W281 Ontarioville Road 1923 Page 1 of 1 Updated 7/24/2026 10:52 AM