From Prairie to Tree Town: Tales of Old Elmhurst – BMW of Elmhurst Dealer

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the fascinating history of Elmhurst, be sure to watch From Prairie to Tree Town: Tales of Old Elmhurst. This virtual program takes viewers on a compelling journey through Elmhurst’s past, from a small prairie settlement to a thriving modern city. This pre-recorded online lecture, delivered by Elmhurst History Museum Director Dave Oberg, will be available on YouTube until Tuesday, March 1, 2022. At BMW of Elmhurst, we encourage local residents and to check out this engaging exploration of Elmhurst’s rich history.

The lecture will include rare photographs, maps, documents and stories that bring Elmhurst’s history to life. Though people have been drawn to the Midwest for centuries, the earliest known settlers of the Elmhurst area were members of the Potawatomi Native American tribe. They settled along Salt Creek, just south of where the city would develop. In 1842, Ohio native Gerry Bates established a community on a tract of land that would later become Elmhurst’s City Centre. Originally named Cottage Hill, the community officially changed its name to Elmhurst in 1869. In 1871, Elmhurst University was organized, formally marking the area as a leader in higher education. From Prairie to Tree Town: Tales of Old Elmhurst outlines this timeline with never-before-told stories and photos that supplement the learning experience.

Today, Elmhurst is a truly modern city with a dynamic cultural and artistic scene. As of 2021, the city had an estimated population of 47,260. In 2014, Family Circle magazine ranked Elmhurst as one of the Ten Best U.S. Towns for Families. The city continues to grow and develop, which is shown in the final section of From Prairie to Tree Town: Tales of Old Elmhurst.

Date and Time:
This pre-recorded lecture is available online until Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Location:
The pre-recorded program is available online at https://youtu.be/x5QYbSsuAqw.

Admission:
Free

For More Information:
Contact [email protected].