Highland Park Kicks Off Year Of 150th Anniversary Celebrations

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Local community leaders in business, politics and art, gathered Wednesday for the start of a monthlong exhibition marking the start of a year of events marking the city's sesquicentennial anniversary. "Lookin' Good: Not Bad For 150" is the slogan for the Highland Park's year of celebrations.

The event marked the unveiling of a city-sponsored exhibit highlighting a year of events in honor of Highland Park's 150th birthday. Installed on a downtown bank's community art wall, it features historical photographs, facts and trivia and a hall of fame of notable locals.

Mayor Nancy Rotering and former Mayor Dan Pierce cut a birthday cake, and members of the Highland Park Strings performed songs like "Those Were The Days." In a keynote address, Rotering said she hoped members of the community would participate in sesquicentennial events throughout the year and reflect on how the city has evolved since its 1869 incorporation.

"This year, we will be assessing our rich history, our passionate present and our exciting future while we celebrate all year long. A big bash is planned for later this summer on the Fourth of July, but we will be highlighting our history through collaborations with our library, schools, park district, service organizations, clergy and an incredible array of volunteers," Rotering said.

"From the days of the Potawatami, who camped on our shores, to the homesteaders and pioneers, Fort Sheridan, our farmers, the origination of the hospital, the railroad riders to Ravinia Festival and the introduction of the expressway, which basically doubled our population, to our proud legacy as an arts incubator, home to excellent schools and incredible architecture, our beautiful lakefront and parks, a wonderful library and a vibrant downtown," said the mayor. "I think it's fair to say we are 'progress.'"

The guest of honor at the private reception was Steppenwolf co-founder Jeff Perry. Perry has deep roots in Highland Park, where he attended Lincoln and Ravinia elementary schools, Edgewood Junior High and Highland Park High School, where his father was the former head of the English department and later a District 113 curriculum administrator, while his mother served as school secretary of Ravinia Elementary School.

It was Perry's friendship with fellow HPHS student Gary Sinise, along with inspiration from former HPHS theater director Barbara Patterson née Greener, that eventually lead to the founding of Steppenwolf Theater company with Perry's Illinois State University classmate Terry Kinney. Steppenwolf's first performances took place in 1976 at Highland Park's Immaculate Conception Church.

Perry said it was a "dear assignment" to have been be asked to recall memories of the town where he grew up in the early 1960s and 70s.

"Riding my bike home – no handles – on the downhill slalom of Bob-O-Link Road, my greatest thrill," Perry said. "Greatest boyhood definition of speed." (Watch his full speech below)

The theme of the yearlong celebration is: "Lookin' Good: Not Bad For 150," and features events throughout 2019.

The HP150 Exhibition will remain on display through Jan. 31 at the Ruth Fell Wander Community Art Wall at the First Bank of Highland Park at 1835 First St.

"As we think about our city, what it means to us as individuals and collectively as a community, I ask that we take lessons from the past, harness our passions in the present and plan for a future of strength. We know that we are a community of curiosity and compassion and leadership. We are the heart of the North Shore," Rotering said.

"So as we stand on the shoulders of those that had vision and a pioneering spirit weather in 1869 or 1969 or now, I ask that we continue our legacy of growth with a purpose, pursuit of excellent and love of this great community we all call home."