60 things to love about Rolling Meadows
As Rolling Meadows celebrates its 60th year, the Daily Herald is proud to present this list, a shout-out to 60 of the things, present or past, that make the city a great place to live.
The Daily Herald has been part of that journey from the very beginning, your hometown newspaper, covering the big and little events that make a grouping of people a true community. We hope this section brings back your own memories of those years and reminds you of what you have to celebrate.
For those who would like more memories, we suggest viewing our gallery of historical photos and our companion gallery of current photos. You also should visit the Rolling Meadows Historical Society and its Kimball Hill house with its wonderfully detailed 1950s furnishings, which captures perfectly the feel of the time and for me brings back a wealth of childhood memories.
And, while several of the city's celebratory events have already occurred, ones yet to come include this Saturday's Parking Lot Party, a tailgating event in the Community Center Parking Lot with music and food trucks. Details on the July 18 event and other anniversary activities are on the city's website.. Have fun!
1. Farmers & Food Trucks
A relatively new tradition in Rolling Meadows that has developed a following is monthly summer Saturday Farmers & Food Trucks events, where residents get a chance to nosh on favorite food truck items and take healthy vegetables home with them. Now in its third season, upcoming events, held on the fourth Saturday of the month, are July 25, Aug. 22 and Sept 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the city hall parking lot, 1600 Kirchoff Road. Items for sale include local fresh-grown produce; health and beauty products; and handmade jewelry, clothing and art.
2. 4th Fireworks
Rolling Meadows' Fourth of July fireworks display gets rave reviews from some because of its community feel. Unlike some of the bigger shows in other towns, you don't have to get there super early to find a viewing spot. It is extremely easy to find a place to sit. And the show sticks to tradition, occurring on the actual day unlike some towns, which hold its show a day early.
3. Courthouse
The dedication of Cook County circuit court's Third Municipal District courthouse at 2121 Euclid Ave. in October 1989 put Rolling Meadows on the map, according to James Geocaris Sr., who was presiding judge at the time. Serving 33 municipalities and law enforcement agencies in the Northwest suburbs with 21 courtrooms, multiple county offices and a public health service, the facility has become the busiest of five suburban court district buildings. Geocaris watched the facility grow into a $60 million court complex over the three years from its groundbreaking in 1986 to its dedication. The courthouse also houses offices of the county assessor, treasurer, clerk and recorder of public deeds. Twenty judges preside over both civil and criminal cases.
4. A City
Why is Rolling Meadows a city and not a village like the many towns that surround it? It's not clear, but most people agree the first legislative body wanted to make Rolling Meadows different from nearby Arlington Heights and Palatine, which are villages. The city system in 1955 allowed for election of the council by wards, meaning the seven aldermen all represented specific areas of the city and only those residents could vote for them. The designation also allows the city's leader to be called a mayor and not village president. John Northcote was elected the first mayor April 19, 1955. Today, the system is much the same. Mayor Tom Rooney still officiates over seven aldermen. The council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at city hall, 3600 Kirchoff Road. City hall is also the place for residents to get their vehicle and pet stickers, and visit the city's various departments.
5. Golden Triangle
Rolling Meadows' daytime population is much larger than its 24,289 official population because of the number of people who work in its office parks and industrial areas. Its premier office area, nicknamed The Golden Triangle, is the area surrounded by Route 53, Golf Road and the Northwest Tollway. The biggest chunk of office space is in the multi-building Meadows Corporate Center, which got its start 45 years ago when William T. Ylvisaker moved conglomerate Gould Inc. from Chicago to a 10-story tower. “At one time, there were as many as 11 corporate headquarters there, and it was developed as a unique, high-end campus headquarters,” said former Rolling Meadows Mayor Ken Nelson. While it has lost that prominence, the city recently completed a deal to bring insurance giant A.J. Gallagher back to the complex from Itasca, where it moved about 20 years ago.
6. Northwest Industrial Park
Rolling Meadows' industrial park was established in the northwest part of the city in 1959. The land, surrounded roughly by Hicks Road, Northwest Highway and Route 53, was set aside by developer Kimball Hill when he first started establishing Rolling Meadows to provide a solid tax base for the city. Some of the earliest businesses included Acme Gravure Services, Heineman Creameries Company and Polymer Corporation. These days, the industrial park still has many business tenants, including the city's largest employer, Northrop Grumman Corp. Some religious organizations have also set up shop in the area, including Harvest Bible Chapel, Shorewood Bible Chapel and the Islamic Society of the Northwest Suburbs.
7. Northrop Grumman
Rolling Meadows is home to the largest defense business in the state of Illinois. Northrop Grumman designs and builds electronic countermeasures for military use and civilian aircraft at its Rolling Meadows plant, which is the city's largest employer with about 2,100 employees, according to the chamber of commerce. The Land and Self Protection Systems Division, which is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, specializes in rotary wing survivability systems, international and U.S. military ground-based tactical radars, communications systems, infrared countermeasure systems, automatic test equipment and simulation, and the laser systems business unit, according to the company website. “The technology and capabilities that come out of Northrop Grumman make a significant difference which allows our war fighters to come home safely,” Sector Vice President Jeffrey Palombo said when he was honored as Businessman of the Year by the Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce.
8. Salt Creek Park District
The Salt Creek Park District covers the southeast corner of Palatine, a small area in western Arlington Heights and a north central portion of Rolling Meadows. One of the jewels of the park district is the Twin Lakes Recreation Area and clubhouse in Palatine, which has a golf course and paddle boating. There's also the Hat Trick Hockey rink in Palatine, which features an arena and sports bar. Park officials also oversee Rose and Winston parks in Palatine and South Park in Rolling Meadows, located in the southeast corner of Emerson Avenue and Rohlwing Road. South Park has basketball and tennis courts, playground, open fields and a shelter. The park district also offers a variety of programs for all age groups, including camps and athletics. For more on the park district, visit www.saltcreekpd.com.
9. Elementary schools
The first elementary school in Rolling Meadows, probably not surprising to anyone, was Kimball Hill School. The first classrooms, however, were in four houses at Meadow Drive and Campbell Street. Then came Jonas E. Salk and Cardinal Drive schools, no longer in existence, Central Road Elementary, Carl Sandburg Junior High, Plum Grove Junior High and Willow Bend Elementary schools, all in award-winning Palatine Township Elementary District 15. Most of the elementary students who live in Rolling Meadows still attend the various schools in District 15, including the John G. Conyers Learning Academy in Rolling Meadows that caters to children with special needs. They also travel to Palatine to go to District 15's Jane Addams Elementary, Pleasant Hill Elementary, Hunting Ridge Elementary and Lincoln Elementary. A few Rolling Meadows residents also fall in the jurisdiction of Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 and Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54.
10. Salt Creek
Salt Creek provides a rich history for Rolling Meadows. It has been reported that many years before the city was incorporated, American Indians set up camp near Salt Creek and used it to travel. Over the years, residents used the waters to cool off or go fishing. The city has created bike trails that follow the creek as it winds through town. Many have reported seeing deer, beaver and all sorts of other animals traveling on the same paths. The creek is part of a watershed stretching from Barrington to LaGrange, incorporating more than 30 municipalities that are home to nearly half a million people.
11. Senior Center Gift Shop
Rolling Meadows has a Gift Shop at the Senior Center Office that is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Seniors interested in selling items in the gift shop give the Golden Years Council a 20 percent commission on their sales. Craft items are taken out of the cabinets and displayed on tables for closer viewing every Thursday near the gift shop. The Senior Center is in the Rolling Meadows Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive, (847) 818-3205.
12. Gary Cole
He's played a crazed killer, postured as the vice president and voiced an animated bunny. Yet, actor Gary Cole, who grew up in Rolling Meadows, insists it's just a coincidence that he's played such a wide variety of roles during his more than 30 years in Hollywood. “There's very little planning. Very little has happened on purpose in terms of my choosing. It's just what's surfaced at specific times. It's always who's available and what the schedule is. There's very little sitting down stroking my chin saying, 'Hmmm, what will my next move be?'” he told the Daily Herald in a 2012 interview. Comedy has always been Cole's strong suit, with standout performances as the annoying boss Lumbergh in “Office Space,” the moronic Reese Bobby in “Talladega Nights,” and goody two-shoes 1960s dad Mike Brady in “The Brady Bunch Movie.” But he's done an equal number of complex roles as a dramatic actor, earning critical praise and multiple Jeff Awards for his performances at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
13. Steven Isoye
A 1981 graduate of Rolling Meadows High School, Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Steven Isoye now is superintendent of Oak Park and River Forest High School. Before taking that job in 2010, he was principal for three years of Maine East High School in Park Ridge, where he was named Illinois High School Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association. Prior to joining Maine East, Isoye was principal of Warren Township High School in Gurnee, where he also worked as curriculum administrator, science department chair and classroom teacher. He was named Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education in 1998.
14. Jewel
The Jewel food store was one of the original 13 tenants in the Rolling Meadows Shopping Center, whose construction was announced in April 1955, about the time of the city's incorporation. That makes it one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in the town. “The large, modern store was a luxury for the city's women, who had been journeying to Arlington Heights for their gorceries,”Esther Perica wrote in her 1979 book, “They Took the Challenge: The Story of Rolling Meadows.” The store is the company's oldest still in operation, officials said. Other early and much-loved tenants of the shopping center that are no longer around include Crawfords Department Store, Suburban Drugs, Mellick's Childrens Shop and A&W Foods, a delicatessen.
15. Ice rinks
While most part districts don't have an ice rink, the Rolling Meadows Park District has two of them, making the city a draw for skaters. There's the West Meadows Ice Arena and the Nelson Sports Complex. “With over 40 years of experience beneath our blades, our well-trained, professional staff of coaches will expertly guide you through a complete skating program,” the park district brags on its website. “Our coaches will provide you with compassionate encouragement and confidence as you begin your first classes. As you progress, we will teach you the technical intricacies of jumping and spinning.” The district also is home to the Renegades House Hockey League, Senior Men's Hockey League, Women's Adult Hockey League and public skates. The rinks can be rented for parties, too!
16. WildStang robotics team
The award-winning WildStang robotics team has its roots in Rolling Meadows. The team comprising students, teachers and parents from Rolling Meadows and Wheeling high schools was formed in 1995. Its name comes from a combination of the two high school's mascots, the Wheeling Wildcats and the Rolling Meadows Mustangs. And a year ago, it moved into unused warehouse space in Rolling Meadows courtesy of Methode Electronics after 18 years in which the team built robots in space provided by Motorola. In its 20-year history, the WildStang team has won three world championships and finished in second place twice.
17. Star quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, 23, who attended Rolling Meadows High School, could be the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, winner of the Super Bowl, if “deflategate,” the controversy over underinflated footballs, keeps Tom Brady benched. Garoppolo was a two-year starter at Rolling Meadows and led his team the Mid-Suburban East title. He threw for 3,960 yards and 23 touchdowns while leading the Mustangs to the playoffs in both of his years. As a senior at Eastern Illinois University, he broke Tony Romo's passing records. In May 2014, he was drafted in the second round by the Patriots.
18. Matthew Bryza
Matthew Bryza, 51, a Rolling Meadows High School graduate who won the distinguished alumni award, joined the foreign service in 1988, rising to the post of U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan. He left the foreign service, where he spent his career specializing in affairs of Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, Turkey and Greece in 2012 and now lives in Istanbul, where he works as a consultant on business and democratic development, and is a board member of several companies.
19. Lance Pressl
Lance Pressl is one of the Rolling Meadows High School graduates who have won the Distinguished Alumni Award. He currently serves as Senior Policy Fellow at the Institute for Work and the Economy while leading a Chicago startup, FinnAllye Productions, dedicated to showcasing entrepreneurs and startups nationwide. Previously, he served as president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Among his earlier posts in government and with policy organizations, Pressl in 1996 was named president of the Civic Federation, the oldest taxpayer watchdog organization in the country.
20. Celebrating 60
Rolling Meadows began celebrating its 60th anniversary with a cake-cutting on Feb. 26, the day Rolling Meadows was incorporated in 1955. Officials honored businesses and residents who have been a part of the city from the beginning. Other events since then have included an ice cream social and Wine-Down By the Creek, an evening of wine, music and food trucks. Events still to come, subject to change, include a July 18th Parking Lot Party, an August ice cream social in Waverly Park, a senior lunch in September, and a Dec. 3 City Tree Lighting and Spaghetti Dinner. The city also has put up customized streetlight banners highlighting the anniversary and chosen an anniversary vehicle sticker designed by a student. Commemorative items such as garden flags, coffee mugs and coasters are for sale at city hall. Celebration details are at ci.rolling-meadows.il.us. “There's a lot to celebrate,” said Lori Ciezak, assistant to the city manager, who is serving as point person for the celebration.
21. Jobs
While it doesn't have the area's largest shopping center like Schaumburg, or the area's largest industrial park like Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows has many major commercial and industrial businesses to balance the tax load and provide jobs for its residents. According to the city and the chamber of commerce, major employers include: Northop Grumman, 2,100; Capital One, 1,100; Ceanate, 620; Komatsu, 325; Meijer, 286; A.H. Management Group, 263; RTC, 252; Methode Electronics, 245; Wal-Mart, 221; and Panasonic, 200.
22. Community Events Foundation
In 2011, the City Council approved the creation of the Rolling Meadows Community Events Foundation to obtain donations and make contributions to the city for public purposes to support and finance annual community events. Donations to the foundation help fund the maintenance and upkeep of the Rolling Meadows Historical Museum, 4th of July events, Veterans Memorial Committee and Memorial Day events, holiday tree lighting activities, winter holiday decorations and other community events. Contribution are tax-deductible. Donation can be sent to the Rolling Meadows Community Events Foundation, c/o Rolling Meadows City Hall, 3600 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008.
23. Restaurants
The dining scene in Rolling Meadows offers more than 70 options in all price ranges and styles. Despite all the choices, the best selling item in the city may well be the lowly hot dog. Portillo's has one of its amazingly successful restaurants on Golf Road, drawing huge crowds, while Fratellos 2 on Kirchoff Road in the downtown is a long-standing and popular offshoot of the 40-year-old Fratellos in Lakemoor, though it is no longer owned by the same family. Among the more unusual offerings are Hickory Roasters and Sushi Station. Hickory Roasters on Wilke has gotten a name for its rotisserie chicken cooked over hickory wood. And Sushi Station, where fresh sushi revolves on small plates on a conveyor belt and customers select their favorites as they go by, draws big crowds.
24. Banquet halls
Rolling Meadows has no shortage of places to hold a wedding, banquet or conference. Large venues include the Holiday Inn Rolling Meadows, which can accommodate up to 900 guests, Meridian Banquets, which can handle 500 guests, and The Meadows Club, which can serve 1,000 guests. La Mirage can handle up to 260 guests, while Park Central can accommodate a banquet for 120 people.
25. The people
Rolling Meadows really wouldn't be anywhere without its 24,000 residents. The initial homeowners took a chance on a town that wasn't even a town in 1953, buying Kimball Hill-built houses after returning from service in World War II. About 700 people took part in a 1955 vote to incorporate the town. The city has a reputation of being a place where people want to stay, where children and grandchildren also choose to remain in the community. It is attractive to young families and those new to the country because of its affordability and easy access to many amenities. Older residents have been known to add on to their homes instead of buying new ones elsewhere. The city's face has changed over the years to include a large Hispanic population, who followed fellow immigrants to find a welcoming home. The residents continue to put their time and effort into the city, ensuring that the many community groups prosper.
26. Community outreach
In the last two years, police officer Carlos Saez and social services specialist Natalia Mercado have revived some of Rolling Meadows' much-praised Police Neighborhood Resource Center services, but not on the scale of the center, which was forced to close after two decades in 2009 by the city's economic woes.
Both Saez and Mercado have offices at two apartment complexes along Algonquin Road - East Park Apartments and Apartments at Woodfield Crossing - to meet residents and help families, crime victims and management, but Mercado serves the entire city, and her main office is at city hall. In sunnier times, the city contributed as much as $400,000 annually to the center at East Park, whereas many as 20 agencies offered services.
27. Opera in Focus
The puppets that act out classic scenes from famous operas have called the Rolling Meadows Park District home for 22 years now. The Opera in Focus program is the brainchild of William Fosser, who had experience working with puppets at the Kungsholm Miniature Opera in Chicago. He died in 2006 but his acolytes have carried on the tradition he established.
Each one-hour performance on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. is designed to make children appreciate and understand opera. Performances are complete with orchestral compositions, lights and costumes, from more than 30 different operas. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children. Call (847) 818-3220, ext. 186, for reservations. A full schedule of performances for this year can be found at www.operainfocus.com.
28. Islamic Society
Rolling Meadows is home to a myriad churches and other faith-based organizations. That includes the Islamic Society of the Northwest Suburbs, located at 3950 Industrial Ave. The mosque and Islamic center has been in the city about 30 years. The center is continuing to grow and currently is in a drive to raise $2.6 million to move to an adjacent eight acre property at 1200 Hicks Road with a 46,000-square-foot building three times the size of the current one and 500 parking spaces, according to the website.
29. Cruise nights
Friday evening Cruise Nights at Meadows Christian Fellowship, 2401 Kirchoff Road, have been a summer tradition for 20 years. Classic cars can be seen every Friday - from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - from late May through the end of September. Residents take that time to visit with their neighbors and eat out with family and friends at the many restaurants along Kirchoff Road. Cruise nights include concessions, music, special events and family activities. There is no charge for entry. (847) 255-8764, www.meadowsfamily.org.
30. Historical Museum
The Rolling Meadows Historical Society opened the city's museum in June 2002 as a replica of the first ranch-style homes constructed in the community by Rolling Meadows founder Kimball Hill in 1953. Displays of donated historical documents, photos and finishings of the '50s era are combined to create authentic interior spaces within the home. Visitors who enter the house will feel they have been transported through time to the actual home of a 1950s Rolling Meadows homemaker. The exhibit in the adjacent Kimball Hill Family Educational Center contains information on Kimball Hill, early days in the development of the City of Rolling Meadows and displays of 1950s memorabilia. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, with a suggested donation of $3 for adults and $1 for children. (847) 577-7086.
31. Garbage collection
Garbage has a long and colorful history in Rolling Meadows. In 1969, the city decided it could reduce costs by having its own garbage trucks, an almost unheard of step in the suburbs in those days, according to a town history, “They Took The Challenge: The Story of Rolling Meadows,” written by Esther Perica. It bought three very efficient Mercedes-Benz disposal trucks for $19,000 each and mandated the use of disposable paper bags instead of cans. The system saved enough money that for a time, the city stopped charging its residents for pickup. By the time the city held a referendum in 2012 on privatizing pickup, though, officials said the move would save homeowners $5 a month and net the city $400,000 for sale of its equipment. Nonetheless, voters rejected the move by a ratio of 2-1.
32. Community Church
The Community Church of Rolling Meadows has been around longer than the city. Although the church is celebrating its 60th anniversary almost simultaneously with Rolling Meadows, the first city church began in members' houses in 1954. The nondenominational Christian church became an official organization when more than 370 residents signed the charter Feb. 20, 1955, at what its members call “The Barn,” a former building along Kirchoff Road. The church, which now sits on the corner of Meadow Drive and Kirchoff Road, holds the annual Cornfest in August of every year, which attracts hundreds of residents to a barbecue and endless supply of corn.
33. Cornfest
Cornfest, an annual August event at the Rolling Meadows Community Church, has been a city staple for almost all of its 60 years. Without fail, the event brings neighbors together to enjoy the thousands upon thousands ears of all-you-can-eat, boiled sweet corn. Rolling Meadows residents have been known to plan their vacations around the event so they won't miss the giant barbecue, which includes either a hot dog or hamburger, watermelon and a drink. Crafters were added to the celebration more than a decade ago. The roots of Cornfest are a bit fuzzy, with some people attributing it to a corn roast the church used to hold and others saying a member of the church attended a similar event while on vacation and wanted to bring the tradition home.
34. Crawford's
Although it no longer exists in the city, Crawford's department store was for a long time one of the landmarks that made Rolling Meadows stand out. Residents still reminisce about the store that closed its doors in 1993. When it first opened in 1957, it was the largest department store in the Northwest suburbs. Crawford's, along with 12 other local stores, also helped Rolling Meadows create a shopping center on Kirchoff Road. The area was touted as the “largest one-stop shopping center in the far Northwest suburbs,” according to “They Took the Challenge: The Story of Rolling Meadows,” a book published by Esther Perica at the city's 25th anniversary. The center housed Suburban Drugs, Jewel Foods, Ace Hardware, A&W Foods, the Suburban Snack Shop and Rolling Meadows Currency Exchange, among other shops.
35. Streets named for birds
Theories abound on how Rolling Meadows came to name many of its streets after birds, but David Hill, who has since died and whose father Kimball Hill was the original home developer in Rolling Meadows, once recalled his father telling him “That's all there were out here then, birds.” He needed to name streets in his new development fast - when the Cook County zoning board approved Hill's development in 1953, he began a production schedule of 20 homes per week. Kimball Hill is remembered as a nature lover who appreciated gardens, and even named the community for the gently rolling terrain he noticed. A glance at the current Rolling Meadows street index indicates more than two dozen streets have bird names. Among them: Bluebird Lane, Cardinal Drive, Dove Street, Peacock Lane, Crane Court, Falcon Court, Owl Lane, Raven Lane and Oriole Lane.
36. Salem Cemetery
The tiny Salem Cemetery situated at the corner of Plum Grove and Kirchoff roads in Rolling Meadows - amid a bustling intersection and a strip mall - stands as a quiet testament to the city's 19th century roots. It was originally established as a family cemetery in the 1850s by Frederick and Dorothea Thies, according to Palatine Township records. They were among the many German immigrants who began settling in the newly formed Palatine Township area - some coming from as far as Vermont - and it is mainly their family members who are buried there, including members of the Thies, Normeier and Weseman families. In 1862, these settlers erected the Salem Evangelical Church adjacent to the cemetery. Family members eventually deeded the cemetery to the church in 1922 when it formally adopted the name, and Palatine Township was given custody of it in 1974.
37. Terry Moran Day
Thesoftball tournament created to honor local softball legend Terry Moran has turned into a Rolling Meadows summer mainstay now celebrating 20 years. Moran died in January of 1995 at the age of 36 after a car accident on an icy road in Wisconsin. Friends and family organized the event at Kimball Hill Park because they saw at his wake the kind of impact he'd made. The daylong event once included a variety of activities and entertainment as a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, but has been culled back to the softball tournament. That event, though, continues to draw dozens of teams. It is now run by the Rolling Meadows Park District.
38. Clearbrook Center
The Clearbrook Center facilities are now headquartered in Arlington Heights, but the organization got its 1955 start in Rolling Meadows. The first classrooms for the “Rolling Meadows Community School for Retarded Children Council” officially opened in April of 1956. The center provides services to adults and children alike who have developmental disabilities. The organization has grown to support more than 7,000 individuals as well as their families in more than 160 communities in northern Illinois.
39. Rotary
The Rolling Meadows Rotary Club spends much of its time helping local causes and organizing fundraisers for both local and international charities. The service club meets noon Mondays at Red Apple Pancake House & Cafe, 2121 Plum Grove Road. This year, it partner with the city in honor of the 60th anniversary on its big fundraiser, the annual St. Patrick's Dinner and Silent Auction. It was held at the Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, with a special bagpipe performance by Irish Dancers and a traditional meal of corned beef and cabbage. The club also helped bring about Rotary Park, near Route 53 on Kirchoff Road, with a gazebo and pond for residents in that area to relax. And it raises funds to distribute to worthy causes, such as for college scholarships and community grants.
40. Kimball Hill
Developer Kimball Hill is widely touted as the man behind Rolling Meadows coming into existence 50 years ago. Hill was the one who came up with the city's name, thinking it aptly described the terrain of the 1,200 acres he bought and developed. He also came up with the idea to build houses in an assembly-line fashion, turning out 20 a week for World War II veterans of limited means. Two-bedroom houses were advertised for $11,390; three-bedrooms were said to cost $12,890. The first homes were built along Campbell Street and Wilke Road in 1953, two years before the city was incorporated. Hill, who built and equipped the first school, also was instrumental in pushing residents to seek incorporation in a Feb. 19, 1955, election. The city incorporated Feb. 26.
41. Kimball Hill Homes
Rolling Meadows-based Kimball Hill Homes Inc., an institution in the Northwest suburbs for 55 years, grew far beyond its beginnings in the city to build in nine states and 15 metropolitan areas. It was led after 1969 by David Hill, son of Kimball Hill, the founder of Rolling Meadows. He became a nationally recognized figure in the industry. The company built more than 4,000 homes in Rolling Meadows and more than 10,000 in the Chicago area. The company was forced into bankruptcy in April 2008 by the financial collapse, which resulted in the worst housing market in decades as credit dried up. In December of that year, a few months after David Hill's death, company officials announced that it would cease operations rather than attempt to reorganize.
42. 'The Bather'
The former chairman of Gould Inc.'s decision 45 years ago to relocate its corporate headquarters to a 10-story tower in Rolling Meadows changed the city, but not all the vibes were positive. William T. Ylvisaker, who died in 2000, built an outdoor path that wove runners around a pond with swans, as well as high-end sculpture, including an original Picasso. The 30-foot-high piece, called “The Bather,” was sculpted out of black stone and concrete by Norwegian artist Carl Nesjar, in two versions, in 1972. Its image of a nude woman drew gawkers and controversy, and eventually was moved behind trees before being sold to a French developer. The smaller, six-foot version stood in Ylvisaker's Barrington Hills yard until he donated it to Harper College in 1994.
43. America Day
It's all about the employees on America Day at Northrop Grumman's Rolling Meadows operations. The company, the largest defense contractor in Illinois, celebrated its 24th annual such day July 1. It not only honors the nation's birthday but also the work of more than 2,100 employees who produce defense systems and other products for the government and military. Paul Overstreet, the U.S. Navy director for Program Control for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, thanked Northrup Grumman employees for making a reliable product he used when he flew missions. “There are some folks relying on your gear day-to-day,” Overstreet said to the crowd at the 23rd celebration.
44. Rolling Meadows Park District
Long before the Rolling Meadows Park District was actually created, developer Kimball Hill ensured plenty of open space would be available for parks in Rolling Meadows. A referendum passed in 1958 establishing the district and the first park was created on land donated by Kimball Hill, on both sides of Salt Creek, north of Campbell Street. Since then, the district has expanded to include the Nelson Sports Complex, which includes one of the district's two ice skating arenas and a fitness center; 12 parks with baseball and soccer fields, playground equipment and walking paths; and two swimming facilities. The park district also has the Community Center building, which is used by organizations throughout the city for regular events. Opera in Focus, a Clearbrook Center facility and the Teen and Senior centers all operate out of the park district.
45. Rolling Meadow Library
The Rolling Meadows Library, established in 1959, library offers a host of activities for adults and children, including concerts and reading initiatives. The library owns over 211,000 items, circulates over 400,000 items annually and averages 20,000 visits per month. Its website connects to reference databases, book suggestions, programs for children and adults and other informational sites. Outreach services include homebound deliveries and services to nursing homes and Clearbrook. The Arts Alive series includes live concerts and exhibits by area artists. The Friends of the Library raises money for the library through book sales and other programs.
46. Public Works
A two-man public works department took care of the water, street and sewer operations in Rolling Meadows during the city's fledgling days of the mid- to late-1950s. Today, dozens of people make sure that Rolling Meadows maintains its reputation as a city that works. That includes being known for prompt and efficient snow removal on 80 miles of streets in the city as well as 17 miles of sidewalks downtown and on key school and delivery routes. Quality refuse pickup was an early priority, as the department purchased several Mercedes-Benz trucks in the 1960s because of their high capacity and efficiency. Since then, there has been occasional talk of contracting out the service, but so far the city is one of the few local municipalities to continue to operate its own waste pickup system. The public works department also handles water and sewer service, roadway and open space maintenance, snow removal, and maintenance of vehicles and buildings.
47. Fire Department
The Rolling Meadows Fire Department of today got its start when the city did, in 1955. It was then that the growing city, which until then had been part of the Palatine Fire Protection District, put out a call for volunteer firefighters. It got them. But it wasn't until three years later, in 1958, that it received the blessing of residents to form the Rolling Meadows Fire District. In the early days, there was a long list of volunteers, headed up by Tom Fogarty - he became the fire chief 10 years later - who came running when summoned by a siren. And the district grew quickly. In 1972, the city began paramedic services; a year later, in 1973, the former fire district became an actual department of the city. Today, the Rolling Meadows Fire Department has 44 full-time employees working out of two stations. The city council last year gave preliminary approval to a plan to relocate both stations over eight to 10 years to improve response times. Station 15 at 3111 Meadow Drive would be near New Wilke and Central Roads, Station 16 at 2455 Plum Grove Road would be on Hicks Road between Kirchoff Road and Euclid Avenue.
48. St. Colette
The Catholic church community of St. Colette traces its roots to the formative days of Rolling Meadows. Founding pastor the Rev. James Halpin traveled country roads and rolling farmland to establish his parish in the summer of 1957 to serve the large number of Catholic families in the suburbs. While church members initially gathered to worship in a nearby gymnasium and park field house, St. Colette broke ground for its church building in 1958 and had its formal dedication Oct. 16, 1960. Its parochial school, which opened in 1961, initially offered classes in grades three through eight. Programs now are offered in preschool through eighth grade, and the school has been honored with a Blue Ribbon by the U.S. Department of Education.
49. Police Department
The Rolling Meadows Police Department employs 49 full-time officers plus 19 civilian support employees who enjoy a modern police facility which contains a fully equipped exercise center and locker rooms, as well as a pistol range and spacious parking for its fleet of vehicles. Career rewards and developments are important aspects of the department. Training and experience through a variety of positions and ranks are readily available to any officer committed to the job. After recruit training, officers undergo a three-year process of in-service and academic training, which allows them to advance to such positions as investigator, evidence technician, traffic specialist, training specialist, bicycle officer, school resource officer, gang specialist, weapons and defensive tactics instructor and juvenile officer.
50. Chamber of Commerce
The Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce has been around for almost 55 years, and Linda Ballantine has been executive director for more than 30 of those years. The chamber started off in 1961 when some of the business owners in the city's original strip malls decided it would help them if they could get advice from others. The chamber acts as a voice for its 225 business members, taking an active role in economic development, community and citywide promotions, and educational programs. The chamber is also responsible for the city's original slogan, “Progress through Participation,” which came about through a contest held by the chamber in 1961. Members include large corporations, as well as small businesses that function out of houses. For more on the chamber, visit www.rmchamber.org.
51. Senior Center
The Golden Years Council Senior Center is located in the northwest wing of the Rolling Meadows Park District Community Center at 3705 Pheasant Drive. The facility includes a lounge, game room, craft room, wood shop, general classroom, card room with kitchen, outdoor park area with shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits and bocce ball courts. Numerous drop-in programs are available at little or no charge. They include card games, baggo, Wii bowling and table tennis. The purpose of the center is to maximize the recreational and leisure opportunities for council members and nonmembers, enhancing their quality of life. The center strives to deliver superior quality programs, trips, services and special events while accommodating the leisure needs of all residents. Programs are open to adults 50 years and older. Golden Years Council membership dues are $22 for residents and $27 for nonresidents. Program fees are higher for nonmembers.
52. Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran Church in Rolling Meadows celebrated its 60th anniversary right before the city did. The church's first service was held Dec. 12, 1954, at the newly built Kimball Hill School. It was led by the Rev. Luther Stephan at the time and attended by 80 people. The church was officially incorporated on Sept. 23, 1955. The current building was built in 1968 at 3201 Meadow Drive. The church is affiliated with Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For more information on Trinity, call the church at (847) 398-7122 or visit the website at www.tlcrm.org.
53. Rolling Meadows High School
Sixteen years after Rolling Meadows got its start, the city got its first public high school: Rolling Meadows High School, built on a plot of land along Central Road that, before, had housed only vacant farmland and an unfinished road. Before then, students had been dispersed throughout Northwest Suburban High School District 214 and Palatine-Schaumburg Township High School District 211. Some students closer to Palatine still attend Fremd High School, a District 211 school in Palatine. The 40-acre Rolling Meadows High School site was a top option when officials in rapidly growing District 214 realized they needed another building. The building since has seen additions to cover increasing enrollment. The school opened in 1971. Today, the building serves about 1,900 students. Sacred Heart of St. Mary was Rolling Meadows' first private high school, operating from 1963-87. It eventually merged with St. Viator in Arlington Heights.
54. Garden club
Not everything in Rolling Meadows is turning 60. Take, for example, the Rolling Meadows Garden Club. This group formed in 1999 and is affiliated. with the Rolling Meadows Park District. The club holds meetings the second Wednesday of each month that start at 6 p.m. for socializing and a short business meeting, with a program at 7 p.m. Meetings are in the Rolling Meadows Park District Community Center Card Room, 3705 Pheasant Drive. The membership fee is $15. Contact the club at rollingmeadowsgardenclub@gmail.com. Annual events include holding a plant and craft sale in May, a garden walk in June and participation in the Fourth of July parade.
55. Veterans Committee
Rolling Meadows proudly dedicated its veterans monument in May 1999. Placed adjacent to the city's carillon along Kirchoff Road in the downtown area, it salutes the five armed services with a reference to the theme of Gen. Douglas MacArthur's speech regarding “Duty, Honor, Country.” The ad hoc committee that planned the monument and its placement has evolved into an active Veterans Committee that meets regularly to ensure that annually the Memorial Day weekend is one which appropriately pays tribute to those who served in the armed forces. The weekend activities include a veterans' gathering and dinner on Friday, followed on Saturday by a parade and a ceremony at the carillon.
56. Bicycle paths
Rolling Meadows began developing bike paths in the 1980s and is continuing to work to expand the network. In April, Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows officials agreed to share the cost the $58,685 of preliminary engineering for a planned section of bike path along Golf Road that would complete an important route through the region. In Rolling Meadows, approximately five miles of off-street bicycle trails connect the city's parks and the downtown area. They are jointly maintained by the city and the park district, offering access to such destinations as the Arlington Park Metra station, the Cook County courthouse, the Rolling Meadows Library and city hall. Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows officials have agreed to proportionately share the cost of preliminary
57. WINGS Shelter
It wasn't easy bringing the Women in Need Growing Stronger shelter to Rolling Meadows. The organization proposed the idea in late 2001, but neighbors were concerned and the issue went to court before the city council finally approved the facility in a supermajority vote. The two-story, 45-bed shelter was the first of its kind in the Northwest suburbs when it opened about a decade ago. Most recently, the Palatine-based charity for victims of domestic violence has been working to open a 40-bed shelter on the Southwest Side of Chicago.
58. Harvest Bible Chapel
Harvest Bible Chapel is a nondenominational, Evangelical Christian megachurch with multiple campuses in the greater Chicago area. It was founded in Rolling Meadows on Sept. 18, 1988. Rev. James MacDonald was the founder and remains the senior pastor. The church has thousands of attendees at weekend services across several campuses.
The Rolling Meadows Campus Pastor is Dave Learned, but MacDonald continues to preach live and by simulcast at the campus. A Children's Ministry for boys and girls from birth through fifth grade is provided at every service. The church offers deaf interpretation and Spanish translation at its 9 a.m. Sunday service. Other campuses are in Elgin, Aurora, Crystal Lake, Niles, Chicago and Winnetka.
59. Chinese churches
Rolling Meadows is home to a wide variety of churches, including two serving the Chinese community. The Chicago Northwest Suburban Chinese Christian Church with services in Chinese is at 2401 Kirchoff Road, (847) 222-9722, and the Chinese Baptist Church of the Northwest Suburbs with services in English and Chinese is at 4242 Kirchoff Road, (847) 934-4223.
60. Continental Towers
Within its borders, the city of Rolling Meadows boasts about 3.5 million square feet of office space - one of the largest tallies in the Northwest suburbs. A solid chunk of that (about 975,000 square feet of office space on 34 acres) sits within three landmark, 12-story ivory-colored towers. The complex, Continental Towers, rose out of the ground between 1978 and 1982. Recently, it has been getting a $12 million dollar facelift to ensure the facility - which boasts a health club, a restaurant and a conference center - would remain a premier suburban office center. Improvements include a new main entrance, parking expansion, covered pickup/drop-off areas, upgraded lobbies, elevators, and restrooms, additional landscaping, cleaning and resealing of the exterior. The property is at 1701 Golf Road next to the Jane Addams Tollway.