Historical marker unveiled in Des Plaines’ Central Park

In 1842, Stephen Thacker purchased 160 acres, including what is now Central Park, 1555 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines, through the U.S. Land Office.

The original Maine Township High School was built on Central Park in 1902 at a cost of $15,000. Subsequent additions included a gymnasium, an auditorium and a swimming pool.

In 1931, when Maine East High School was completed, the building became the Des Plaines Junior High School. In 1954, it was renamed Thacker Junior High School. In 1968, the building was torn down and replaced by Iroquois Junior High School at 1836 E. Touhy Avenue. The land is owned by Des Plaines School District 62 and maintained by the Des Plaines Park District.

Earlier this month, Marion Lutz, part of the Des Plaines Junior High School graduating class of 1932, unveiled a marker recalling the site’s history at a dedication ceremony attended by community leaders and several graduates of Des Plaines Junior High School.

Lutz, accompanied by her daughters, Marge Bejeck and Nancy Harless, brought a photo of her graduating class and her diploma. “We were all poor, but we didn’t know it,” she said. “Des Plaines was just a great town to grow up in.” The Rev. William G. Grice III said it was his mother’s wish that the site be recognized as part of the history of Des Plaines. He worked closely with the park district to fulfill her dream.

“My mother, Dorothy Grice (1915-2011), wrote a letter a number of years ago to the park district, school districts 62 and 207, and the History Center suggesting that there should be a marker of some type in Central Park, commemorating the time it was a high school and a junior high.

“She attended Thacker Junior High, as I did years later. One of my five cousins, who attended the school, became a teacher and returned to Thacker to teach. This site has great personal significance to my family and my mother would be so pleased to see history realized today.

“By placing this historical marker here, we honor all of those who educate and we remember everyone involved in the education of Des Plaines students past, present, and future,” he said.

John Hecker, executive director of the Des Plaines Park District, said it has had a great relationship with the local school districts.

“Our dedication ceremony today is just another indication of how we all work together for the benefit of our residents,” he said. “We’re proud to be a part of what makes this a great city in which to live, work, and play.”

Several of the school’s graduates spoke about their memories. Ray Imig said he met his wife Ginger at the school.

“We went together in the seventh grade, but broke up over the color of her bobby socks,” Imig said. “We reunited in high school, and have been married 55 years now.”