The Harmening Homestead on Lake Street was built in the early 1870s by German immigrants Heinrich and Dorothea Harmening, according to the Landmarks Illinois website.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
In the 1830s, stagecoach travelers from Chicago to Galena would pass along a route similar to what is now known as Lake Street (Route 20). More people began to settle in the area after the railroad line was established.
But the small, unincorporated community of Ontarioville, which began in 1874, had no more than 350 residents at its peak, according to Marilyn Gallagher's book "Ontarioville, Its Past and Its People."
Some of the early residents were Heinrich Harmening and his wife, Dorothea. The German immigrant dairy farmers lived in the Italianate-style home, which still stands along Lake Street.
For those interested at a peek inside the 144-year-old house, a recent post on the "Living History of Illinois and Chicago" Facebook page offers current photos of the interior and historic photos of the original owners.
The couple's gravestone can be found a few blocks south down Greenbrook Boulevard in the Old Evangelical Cemetery. The tiny cemetery also includes the headstone of Fred Schick, a postmaster and general store owner for the community in the early 1900s, with his wife, Sophia.
The area around Ontarioville became incorporated as the Village of Hanover Park in August 1958. The small community was incorporated into Hanover Park's village limits in 1982.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2014 American Community Survey, Hanover Park now encompasses more than 6 square miles. From its 1970 population of 11,916, the size of the community tripled by 2010 to 37,973.
The village, with the slogan "One Village, One Future," has some of the youngest residents of any Chicago northwest suburb, with a median resident age of 33.3 and a median household income of $66,359.
Look for a new "Icons of ..." town gallery every Sunday at dailyherald.com/galleries and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. On our social media sites, share your favorite Hanover Park photos with us by using #shareyoursuburb.
Take a look around and let us know which icons of Hanover Park are special to you. Which ones stir a memory for you? Where do you love to go in town?
Heinrich and Dorothea Harmening, buried in the Old Evangelical Cemetery off Greenbrook Boulevard, were the original owners of the Harmening home, built in the early 1870s. The house, long unoccupied, still sits on its original property along Lake Street.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
The Hanover Park Veterans Memorial outside the village hall has flags representing each branch of the military, POW/MIA, as well as the American flag.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
"Always Remember," the eternal flame sculpture by artist Bruce Niemi, is centered in the Hanover Park Veterans Memorial outside the village hall.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
The Hanover Park Veterans Memorial features engraved bricks honoring veterans who have served in the nation's armed services.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
The main entry to the Village of Hanover Park Municipal Center was redesigned in 2005 during the completion of the Lake Street reconstruction project.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
Hanover Park Fire Station 1, which opened in 2006, has a bunk room which can house 12 firefighters.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
The Old Evangelical Cemetery, off Greenbrook Boulevard, features the gravestone of Fred Schick, a postmaster and general store owner in the early 1900s, with his wife, Sophia. She was a member of the Harmening family, one of the original founding families of Ontarioville.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
In early 2012, the Hanover Park Police Headquarters opened at 2011 Lake St., just east of the old facility and municipal complex.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
Ahlstrand Park on Catalpa Street is dedicated to Hanover Park's second police chief, Carl Ahlstrand. During a traffic stop on Feb. 22, 1959, the 56-year-old was struck and killed by a passing semitrailer. Two children in the stopped vehicle, Carmen and Javier Garcia, were also killed. Ahlstrand was a village trustee who volunteered that month to serve as acting chief after the town's first police chief resigned.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
Hanover Park Park District's Centre Court Athletic Club offers 10 indoor tennis courts and four racquetball courts, as well as a fitness center, pro shop and more.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
Flowers in bloom at the entrance to the Hanover Park Park District's Community Center.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
A secluded alcove under the stairway to the Hanover Park Park District's Community Center.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
Hanover Park Park District's Community Center and Park includes baseball fields.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
In 2015, Horizon Elementary School began to offer "More at 4," a full-day preschool program for eligible 4-year-olds to prepare them academically, socially and physically for kindergarten.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
The brick archway connects a 1967 addition to Ontarioville Elementary School. It was part of a $4 million referendum passed in 1965 by voters in Elgin Area School District U-46. It included construction of three new schools and three additions.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
Evangel Assembly of God on Bartels Road is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
Living Christ Lutheran Church on Arlington Drive celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2013.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
According to the Hanover Park village website, the commuter station off Lake Street is one of the busiest on Metra's Milwaukee District/West line, with close to 1,500 daily commuters.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
Kids can climb around the playground at Heritage Park, which also offers a picnic pavilion.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
A bike trail connects Heritage Park, off Arlington Drive West, to Mallard Lake Forest Preserve to the south.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com
Take a stroll down the pier at Heritage Park, off Arlington Drive West.
Chris Gerke/cgerke@dailyherald.com