Pottawattomie Park

From HistoryWiki

Pottawattomie Park Soundex Code P335

7340 N. Rogers Avenue

Chicago, IL 60626

Pottawattomie Park was one of four parks created by the Ridge Avenue Park District, established in 1896. The Ridge Avenue Park District's early parks included Morse and Indian Boundary Park. In 1931, the park district purchased property for two additional parks, Chippewa and Pottawattomie. Pottawattomie Park was the idea of the Birchwood Improvement Association, which lobbied for the establishment of a community center east of Ridge Avenue and north of Rogers Avenue. The park's name honors the Pottawattomie (Potawatomi) Indians, one of nine tribal groups living around the Great Lakes after 1600. The Pottawattomies lived on the eastern edge of Lake Michigan until about 1760, when they moved westward into the Chicago region. Although many Pottawattomies intermarried with French, British, and American traders, the tribe was nevertheless forced from the area after the Blackhawk War of 1832. A large Works Progress Administration painting in the park field house depicts a meeting between Native Americans and whites.

Photos

RPWRHS photo C035P-001 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, looking northeast, August 5, 1958.

RPWRHS photo C035P-002 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, childrens' garden club, circa 1945.

RPWRHS photo C035P-003 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, looking southwest, August 29, 1946.

RPWRHS photo C035P-0101 shows a large Works Progress Administration painting/mural in the Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, field house which depicts a meeting between Native Americans and whites.

RPWRHS photo C043-25616 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, Children listening to story hour, circa 1945.

RPWRHS photo C043-25617 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, Parade on Wheels contest winners, August 8, 1946.

RPWRHS photo D004-0208 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, Mary Jo Behrendt in reindeer enclosure accompanied by two unidentified children.

RPWRHS photo D004-0210 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, Mary Jo Behrendt feeding goats accompanied by an unidentified girl. No date given.

RPWRHS photo L009-0249 shows Pottawattomie Park Day Camp, c/o Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, boy with basketball, September 4, 1984.

RPWRHS photo L009-0465 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, Little League Baseball, August 9, 1983.

RPWRHS photo M003-5352 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, tennis courts. No date given.

RPWRHS photo S013-0814 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, March 1978.

RPWRHS photo S013-0963 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, May 1975.

RPWRHS photo S013-0964 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, May 1975.

RPWRHS photo S013-0970 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, May 1975.

RPWRHS photo S013-0972 shows Pottawattomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Avenue, May 1975.