On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the Allied Forces and Germany signed an armistice – an agreement to stop the fighting that had raged across Europe the past four years. That day, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of World War I. When the…
Did you know that Libertyville has not always been Libertyville? That’s right! The town whose residents started the Cook Memorial Public Library District has been known by several other names. In the past, Vardin’s Grove, Independence Grove, and Burlington were all used in lieu of Libertyville. Also, one of these precursors (Burlington) briefly served as…
Mother Nature was at it again on February 18-19, 1908. In the worst snowstorm innearly 25 years, up to 13 inches of snow fell, winds gusted up to 48 miles per hour, andsnow drifts grew to 6-12 feet high . At Noon on Tuesday, February 18, just an inch and ahalf of snow had fallen…
Find out the who's who of national celebrities and historical figures that have made appearances in Libertyville through the years. Enjoy part two of the series. Mentioned in the Podcast: October 25, 1960 - Senator John F. Kennedy's Remarks at Liberty Mall, Libertyville, Illinois (YouTube) Local History page Catch every episode! Subscribe to the Cook…
©Bob Leavitt, 2013 Join your community for a special evening of holiday joy! Kick off the holiday season at Libertyville's Tree Lighting in Cook Park on Friday, November 24. That evening, Cook Park Library will stay open until 8 pm along with other Libertyville businesses to celebrate the event. You can warm up at the…
Find out the who's who of national celebrities and historical figures that have made appearances in Libertyville through the years. Enjoy part one of the series. There's more to come! Mentioned in the Podcast: Ep. 38: The Past is Present - Frederick Grabbe and Libertyville's Spring Water Local History page Catch every episode! Subscribe to…
In the 1890s and early 1900s, rising population in the Chicago made the countryside more appealing. Chicago business leaders looked to rural areas within commuting distance of the city to build country homes for their families and indulge their passion for farm pursuits, including raising horses. Chicago restauranteur John R. Thompson and railroad executive J.W.…
Get ready for some library upgrades! Improvements to both Aspen Drive Library in Vernon Hills and Cook Park Library in Libertyville are coming this October. Aspen Drive Library will see improvements and enhancements to the plaza at the main entrance and Cook Park Library will get updated windows. Both buildings will remain open while work…
It's the podcast's 100th episode! And what better way to celebrate than by exploring the library's own 100th birthday. As part of Cook Library's Centennial Celebration, Local History Librarian Jenny Barry walks us through the first 40 years of the Cook Memorial Public Library up until 1960. Hear what it was like using the library…
Image: Mapping Inequality Note: This episode is part three in a three-part series originally released by Drops of Ink – the student news publication of Libertyville High School. Drops of Ink explores different perspectives on race in Libertyville. Originally published September 14, 2016. Produced and hosted by Conor Kennedy. https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/cooklib/A_History_of_Racism_in_Libertyville_and_the_North_Shore_part_3.mp3…
