History & Genealogy of
River Forest Township
Presented by Illinois Genealogy Trails
©Kim Torp
Cities & Towns within River Forest Township:
Village of River Forest - Village website
History...
"In 1831, Bickerdike and Noble, a Chicago firm built a sawmill just north of Lake Street on the east bank
of the Des Plaines River. The mill, reportedly the only one within 20 miles of Chicago, was vital to the growth
and settlement of the River Forest community. Settlers were attracted by the fertile land, forests and river, which
bordered on the west.
The arrival of the railroad in 1865 was probably the single most important factor in the development of the community.
John Murphy, who followed the railroad to River Forest, graded the first River Forest streets and completed the
conversion of the Thatcher acreage and another farm into a town. The Village of River Forest was incorporated in
1880...." Read the rest of the history here
Important Addresses.....
River Forest Library
735 Lathrop Ave.
River Forest, Il. 60305
708-366-5205
Website
Historical Society of Oak Park & River Forest
P. O. Box 771
Oak Park, Illinois 60303-0771
Phone: (708) 848-6755
Email: flipo@enteract.com
Website
Newspaper: Forest Leaves
Website
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