The City of Northlake was developed in an area along Addison Creek. Incorporated July 19, 1949, Northlake had a population of 3,000. The name “Northlake” came from the City’s main thoroughfares, North Avenue and Lake Street, which converge at a 45 degree angle at the western edge of the City. The most recent census count (year 2000) is 11,888.
In 1950, the first city code was announced. It prohibited residents from keeping chickens within the City limits. During this era the soggy farmland was beginning to develop and grow within the boom of the post-World War II economy.
A city government was established, more boundaries were created, and the first city code was announced. Eldon Hayes was elected the first Mayor in 1949. Sanitary sewers were installed, a three-million gallon water reservoir was erected,and High School District 212 built the West Leyden High School campus on Wolf Road in 1958. Northlake children no longer had to commute to Franklin Park to attend high school. Industries such as Scholle Chemical and Automatic Elec-
tric bought land on the City’s western perimeter. Automatic Electric sat on a portion of the old Westward Ho Golf Course, located on what is now Westward Ho Drive and Golfview Drive. The golf course was one of the country’s premier spots for golf. It ceased operation in 1957. Another portion of the golf course was sold to Villa Scalabrini Home for the Aged. The facility is actually situated on what was the fourth hole.
Ed Neri was elected Mayor in 1957 and held office until 1968. During the sixties many projects were completed including: the construction of City Hall; sand and gravel streets were paved with blacktop; installation of curbs and storm sewers on Roberta and Palmer Avenues; the construction of many concrete bridges which replaced wooden bridges over Addison Creek; the original portionof the Northlake Library District building on Wolf Road; the Northlake Bank (now US Bank);the Dominick’s facility on Northwest Avenue (originally Kroger Foods); the Burny Brothers Bakery (now Entenmanns’ Bakery) on North Avenue; the Northlake Hospital (now Kindred Hospital); St. John Vianney Catholic Church (as it stands today); the King Arthur Complex; and finally a 16 storymotor hotel, located on Lake Street, a block east of Elmhurst city limits, the O’Hare Airport Hotel (now Concord Plaza) was described as a first rate hotel, and
the tallest building in the western suburbs.
Alderman John Lawrisuk was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Neri. A special election was held and Eugene Doyle was elected Mayor, from 1968 until 1989.
A lighter memory affecting the lives of residents and law enforcement in the 1960’s was the visit of “Kay”. Kay was a 20 year old elephant, who had made her get away from the Keely and Miller Bros. Circus, which was performing in Franklin Park. A loud, low-flying airplane traveling from O’Hare Airport had apparently startled Kay and another elephant named Barbara. While Barbara traveled northwest, Kay headed for Northlake. The 6,500 pound mammal trampled flower beds, squashed vegetable patches, walked through fencing and surprised shocked residents of all ages before she was caught.
The City is looking forward to the completion of the reconstruction of Northwest Avenue, and the beginning of a new park at Gail and Lemoyne as a result of the Department of Natural Resources grant in the amount of $219,000, and the cooperation of the Memorial Park District and School District 87.
There will be no real estate tax increase for 2001, while the City will continue to enhance the quality of life in Northlake through the improvements already mentioned, as well as continued efforts at beautification, tree planting and other programming which will make our community stand out from our neighbors.
The progress the City has made in the past 4 years and will achieve in the current year is not possible without the dedication of the City Council which is equally dedicated to improving the community.
