| Oak
Park is a thriving community of more than 52,000 people, known
for its architectural heritage. Within its 4.5 square miles
live a diverse mix of people with different cultures, races,
ethnicities, professions, lifestyles, religions, ages and
incomes.
Primarily a residential community proximate
to the City of Chicago, Oak Park is the birthplace and childhood
home of novelist Ernest Hemingway. An annual festival has
traditionally been held to celebrate his July birthdate.
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright lived in Oak Park from 1889-
1909, and 25 buildings in the village were designed by him,
including his first public building, Unity Temple, a Unitarian
Universalist church. His restored home and studio is open
for daily tours. There are many architecturally significant
homes, ranging from Victorian to Prairie style, in the village's
two historic districts. Other famous Oak Parkers include:
Edgar Rice Burroughs, the creator of "Tarzan";
Percy Julian, chemist whose research led to the development
of Cortisone; Joseph Kerwin, an astronaut on the first NASA
Skylab team; Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's; and, Marjorie
Judith Vincent, 1991 Miss America. Recent attention has
focused on the redevelopment of downtown Oak Park with new
retail anchors, and an intermodal transportation facility.
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