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Donielle Flynn

Oak Park Facts: City of the Week

By Donielle Flynn and Joel Morgan
Carol, Jackie and the helpful staff at Scheer’s Ace Hardware in Oak Park!

Nearly 30,000 people call Oak Park Home (2020 Census). Oak Park has a very interesting history.  It was left unsettled for a long time, but when it was settled, things moved fast. Oak Park started as a subdivision of Royal Oak Township. Eventually, the subdivision became a village, and the village became a city in 1945.

The end of WW2 was a turning point in Oak Park’s history. In between the GI Bill (promoting housing for veterans) and better roads and highways, Oak Park saw amazing growth. Between 1950 and 1960, Oak Park was named “America’s Fastest Growing City.” The decade saw Oak Park’s population grow from 5,000 to more than 35,000.

Oak Park Early History

Oak Park drained the swamp before it became a city… Literally. In 1817, land surveyors reported to Michigan Governor Lewis Cass that the land around Oak Park was uninhabitable and “must remain in possession of wild beasts.” CMS5.Revise.com has a ton of history on Oak Park including the details of the 28 pioneers who went into Oak Park, drained the swamps, cleared the land, and started building.  They did this back in 1840.  People were tough as nails back then.

Note from Joel on Oak Park:

Oak Park is a very culturally diverse community that welcomes people from all walks of life. Oak Park is a safe city with a very neighborly feel. I happen to drive through Oak Park every day to get to WCSX. The very visible police presence in Oak Park is always reassuring, but take my advice: Do NOT speed on Coolidge Avenue!

More Oak Park Facts

  • The Tigers' Den

    Legendary Detroit Tigers players Al Kaline and Norm Cash both lived just a few blocks from each other in Oak Park in the late 1950’s. Their homes were on Sloman Street between Jerome and Saratoga. Norm Cash was Screamin Scott‘s favorite Tiger when he was kid!

  • Winter(fest) Is Coming!

    Winterfest is a free, family-friendly event featuring ice skating, carriage rides, ice carving, chili, hot chocolate & S’mores on Sunday, January 28th, 1pm-4pm at The Oak Park Recreation Center.   

    Winterfest 2024 (FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT)

    Crafts event in Oak Park, MI by City of Oak Park on Sunday, January 28 2024 with 486 people interested and 62 people going. 8 posts in the discussion.

  • City Slogans

    Oak Park has used the slogans “The Family City” and “The City with a Future” over the years. The current slogan is “Community, Culture and Commerce”. That suits Oak Park very well!

    Our first Swearing In of the New Year 2024. Welcome to Oak Park Public Safety Justin Ward and Elizabeth Dewey. Community Policing is at the Heart of ALL that we do. #opps #cityofoakpark

    Posted by City of Oak Park on Tuesday, January 16, 2024

  • Where is Downtown Oak Park?

    Oak Park does not have a designated downtown, but Greenfield, Coolidge, and Nine Mile have the most businesses in the city. There are also areas in Oak Park that are designated for light industrial shops and factories. 

    #tbt #councilchambers Council Chambers (1960)

    Posted by City of Oak Park on Thursday, December 14, 2023

  • Care For a Drink?

    The Watertower District is a new area of Oak Park where you can enjoy adult beverages! For many, many years Oak Park was a dry city: you could not buy alcohol in Oak Park. About three years ago, Oak Park changed their laws to allow the sale of alcohol, which has led to redevelopment of the area along 11 Mile Road such as Oak Park Social and Dog and Pony Brewing Company. They are cool, friendly places to have an ice-cold brew and conversation!

  • Summertime in Oak Park

    Oak Park has a great Farmers Market in the Spring and Fall seasons set up in the parking lot of Oak Park High School. They are also proud to present one of the best Independence Day Parades in the area. 

    Posted by City of Oak Park on Tuesday, July 4, 2023

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