Improvement of Harlem Avenue a century ago
‘Now that Harlem Avenue has been paved from Circle Avenue to Madison Street and is fast becoming one of the main traveled thorofare [sic] for both Oak Park and Forest Park, the street can no longer be treated as a back alley by either one of these villages and it is high time that property owners along the street, especially on the Oak Park side, wake up and improve the appearance, not only of the street but the property by removing the old fences, barns and outhouses which line the street. Forest Park is doing her part to improve conditions. The village has met Oak Park more than half way by paving and lighting the west side of the street, and it is only fair to expect Oak Park to cooperate in making improvements.”
(Forest Leaves editorial, Oct. 26, 1922)
Jill Wagner