History Walk Photos

Have you ever noticed how people have a certain attraction to old photos? We can sit and stare at them for hours wondering what it must have been like to live in an era long gone. Or, we can fondly remember those events of the not so distant past. The Harwood Heights Historical Committee wants to share our Village's history with everyone and there is no better way than through pictures. The collection will always be growing as additional photos are discovered. If you would like to submit a photo for addition to our collection please contact the Chairperson of our Historical Committee,

To see the full sized image simply click on the photo of your choice.

Now, if you are quite ready, sit back, relax, and enjoy your journey into our Village's past.

• Mayor's Row
• The Beginnings
• The 1940's
• The 1950's
• The 1960's
• The 1970's
• The 1980's
• The 1990's
• The 2000's

Since the Village of Harwood Heights was incorporated in 1947, eight people have served in the position of Mayor. Here you will find who they were and the period of time in which they served as Mayor.

Herbert Huening Appointed: 1947-1949 Elected: 1949-1957

Theodore Schwagel Elected: 1957-1961

Joseph Zizzo Elected: 1961-1965

Patrick Arbor Elected: 1965 Resigned: 1967

Harold Majeski Elected: 1969-1973	Ray Willas Elected: 1973-2001	Norbert Pabich Elected: 2001-2005
Margaret "Peggy" Fuller         2005- 2009

1840's Log Cabin	Union Ridge School-1876	Israel Smith-1st settler	Alexander Robinson Helped the soldiers during the war of 1812
Horton Farm circa 1900 located at what is now Harlem and Wilson	Farming the Horton farm circa 1920

Huening residence First Village Hall

Herbert Huening First Mayor

1940 Fire Engine Chief Schoenfeld can be seen leaning against the ladder

Lawrence Ave looking to the N/W toward Canfield

First Officer and squad - 1953

First Police Department Photo

1957 Village Board Standing L-R Herbert Hessee, George Mitchell, Andrew Straub, Edward Connelly, Frank Padrazza, Joseph Zizzo. Seated L-R Treasurer Hillard Cudek, Mayor Theodore Schwagel, Clerk Raymond Kaminski

1963-Looking West from Oketo & Leland water tower	1967 Village Board L-R Rocco Olita, Jerry Favia, Joseph White, Robert Tisinai, Walter Bercharis	1964 Looking N/E from Water tower toward Lawrence Ave. Anson Tool in background	Civil Defense L-R Chester Emmerling, Marvin Dornbush, Russell Watier, Raymond Kruml, William Kubistal, James Verden, Director - Ralph Nystrom
Foreground L-R Mayor Pat Arbor, Secretary to the Mayor Betty Smith, Civil Defense Director Joseph De Guardi. Members of the Civil Defense in the background.	Mayor Pat Arbor	1964 Village Hall Dedication	1961 Village Office Staff L-R Betty Smith, Elanor Christinsen, Della Logli
Looking toward the S/W corner of Oak Park and Gunnison

Ground breaking for Regency Steak House	1977 30th Anniversary Parade	1977 30th Anniversary Parade - Chief Jack Pechous	Residents enjoying the 1977 30th Anniversary gathering
Blizzard of 1979	Blizzard of 1979	Chief Jack Pechous	Police Radio Room 1979

1981 The American Party - Fran Bernero, Carl Cassata, Ray Willas, James Carlson, Michael McGough, Stan Stassen	1985 Village Board Standing L-R Walter Silarski, Carl Cassata, Michael McGough, Stan Stassen, Mayor Ray Willas Seated L-R Harry Pryor, Fran Bernero, Gene Brutto	1987 40th Anniversary Parade	1987 40th Anniversary Parade
Police Department 1984	Chief Bagnole with new officers 1989	Village Office Staff	Public Works Department 1986

1997 50th Anniversary Taste of Harwood Heights	1997 50th Anniversary Parade	1997 50th Anniversary Parade	1997 50th Anniversary dignitaries
1997 50th Anniversary Fun	1997 50th Anniversary Taste of Harwood Heights L-R First police officer Andy Ostrowski, Steve Wyda, Walter Sklarz, Officer Dan Tyrpak	1990's Norwood Park Fire Department	Courtyard Condos
1990's Police	1997 50th Anniversary Partying into the night	1997 Time capsule ceremony	Fire Chief Dennis Stefanowicz and Police Chief William Bagnole at the 1997 Taste of Harwood Heights
1997 Village Board Standing L-R Clerk Gene Brutto, Mayor Ray Willas, Seated L-R Trustees Larry Bilek, Ed Davis, Michael McGough, Norb Pabich, Fulvio Ruzzier, Stan Stasson