Exhibit marks four anniversaries in Northbrook
The Northbrook Historical Society will mark four milestones this year with its "Celebrating a Year of Anniversaries" exhibits at the History Museum and the Northbrook Public Library.
The notable village dates recognize anniversaries of 100 years, 70 years, 60, and 50.
What took place a century ago in the tiny town of Shermerville (population about 600) has been well documented. The bold decision in January 1923 to change the village name to Northbrook established the foundation for steady growth into the vibrant suburb we know today.
Two other significant village dates pop up in September, and both prompt memories of events that have impacted Northbrook in major ways.
Imagine waking up on Sept. 8, 1953. What a special morning it must have been for Northfield Township residents - and especially 652 curious and excited high school students. That date 70 years ago marked the first day of classes at the new Glenbrook High School. It also signified the culmination of a dream that took decades to come to fruition.
High school students in Northfield Township faced challenges as early as the 1920s. Back then, local eighth graders moved on to other high schools such as Deerfield-Shields (Highland Park), New Trier (Winnetka), Carl Schurz (Chicago), and later Palatine, Niles, Maine, and others. Northfield Township paid the tuition to the school of each student's choice.
Northbrook High School, located in what then was also an elementary school, opened as a three-year school in September 1930. Its first four-year class (24 members) graduated in June 1939, but space always was a significant issue.
Problems multiplied following World War II when Northfield Township's population grew rapidly. Voters approved formation of a new high school district in April 1947, but that soon led to a three-year battle (1949-52) over where the new high school should be located - in Northbrook or Glenview.
Meanwhile, space limitations forced District 28 to say it no longer would provide room for high school students after June 1952, when Northbrook High School graduated its 14th and final class (54 students).
Fortunately, events then fell into place quickly and positively. A decisive election on March 29, 1952, led to selection of the new high school site on Shermer Road in Northbrook. Ground was broken on June 1, 1952, and that set the stage for Sept. 8, 1953 - the first day of classes at an award-winning school constructed in just over one year.
On that first day, Glenbrook opened its doors to those 652 students who came together after attending as many as 10 other high schools and 17 elementary schools.
Very few other village events likely have generated more emotions than those expressed that day.
Fast-forward one decade, and a different but equally significant occurrence took place in Northbrook. It was on Sept. 14, 1963 - 60 years ago - when the village officially opened the valve controlling its own direct connection to Lake Michigan water.
Just as the opening of Glenbrook High School solved a long-standing and difficult problem, so did the water pipeline to the lake. Village water woes dated back decades, and thanks to the dedication of many - especially Village President Bertram Pollak - Northbrook became the only offshore community to have its own direct connection to Lake Michigan water.
Another decade later, on Oct. 9, 1973, a group of 11 residents laid the groundwork for the formation of the Northbrook Historical Society. This year's Shermerfest, set for Oct. 1 in Village Green Park, will serve as the kickoff for celebrating the 50th year of the Historical Society, which received its state charter on March 18, 1974.
To learn more about these milestones, visit the exhibits at the History Museum, which is open from 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays, and the library (through September only).