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49-768: The chain began in 1854 when Samuel Carson and John Thomas Pirie first clerked in the Murray's dry goods store in Peru, Illinois , then opened their own store in LaSalle , followed by one in Amboy . In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed 60% of the store's stock. John Edwin Scott operated a dry goods store in Ottawa, Illinois . He later moved up to Chicago and became the first partner of Carson and Pirie in

98-728: A NASDAQ publicly traded company, changing its operating name to Carson Pirie Scott & Co. One year later, the company commenced trading on the NYSE under the CRP symbol. By 1998, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. ownership was held by Proffitt's , Inc., (later renamed Saks Incorporated to reflect the acquisition of Saks Fifth Avenue ). The Carson Pirie Scott, Bergner's, and Boston Store chains, along with Younkers and Herberger's nameplates, eventually operated as Saks' Northern Department Store Group (NDSG), based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin . In late 2005, however,

147-568: A busy steamboat port at the head of navigation on the Illinois River . Captain McCormick was involved in the Five Day Line, making record fast trips between Peru and St. Louis, Missouri . Senator Gilson reported to land surveyor, Grenville Dodge , that the town would soon outstrip Chicago due to its favorable location along the river and railroads. Water Street was a thin ribbon pressed between

196-468: A female householder with no husband present, and 30.68% were non-families. 28.45% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.30 and the average family size was 2.67. The village's age distribution consisted of 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

245-465: A post-mortem donor. Realizing he had the opportunity "get it all started," Lawler decided to attempt the medical first on a chronically ill patient in dire need of a new kidney. The recipient of the first successful organ transplantation was Ruth Tucker, a 44-year-old Chicago-area woman who suffered from terminal polycystic kidney disease . Tucker amazingly survived for another 5 years. Dr. Lawler's pioneering achievement did not escape criticism. He

294-450: A safety committee. Later on, they limited the work week, constructed a company park with a tennis court and horseshoe courts, developed workers' housing, and established a school for watchmakers with provision for scholarships. In 1935 it was the safest company in the nation, with 11 million hours without a lost time accident. During World War II the company made mechanical fuses for the government and had more than 600 of its employees enter

343-400: A team of doctors that performed the hazardous and highly controversial operation. In order to prepare for the experimental procedure, Lawler spent several years researching and practicing various organ transplants and used canines as the testing subjects. He concluded through his research that the most probable means of achieving success for organ transplantation would involve a human kidney from

392-453: A toll road meant to reach Dixon, Illinois . Peru's story became a story of two levels. The story of Water Street and the bottoms, and the town growing above the bluff. Peru tried hard to link the two. For example, the Peru Horse and Dummy Railroad was driven to dissolution by the city's impossible mandate that it create a loop from Water Street to the upper bluff. In 1884, Stahlberg started

441-399: A well located behind the village hall as their water source. In the early 20th century, many residents still farmed and there were many open fields within the town limits. As a result, fire was a constant threat and the water supply was scarce. In July 1918, a spark from a passing train set the original village hall on fire. Despite villagers' attempts to douse the flames, the village hall

490-567: Is also home to the Westclox Museum. The building caught fire on July 14, 2023. As of 2021, Peru has a total area of 10.12 square miles (26.21 km ), of which 9.986 square miles (25.86 km ) (or 98.68%) is land and 0.134 square miles (0.35 km ) (or 1.32%) is water. Located on the Illinois River, Peru lies 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the intersection of two major interstate highways: Interstate 39 and Interstate 80 . The city

539-506: Is also the western terminus of the historic Illinois and Michigan Canal . Before the Illinois Waterway was constructed, the Illinois River was navigable only up to Peru. Starved Rock State Park , a regional tourist attraction, is located 5 miles (8.0 km) south-east of the community. Peru has a twin city on its eastern edge, LaSalle . As of the 2020 census there were 9,896 people, 4,482 households, and 2,760 families residing in

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588-700: Is at the intersection of I-80 and IL-251 . Then there are three smaller districts along the US-6 Corridor, including Peru's downtown. The largest employers in Peru are the Peru Mall , the Illinois Valley Community Hospital, Walmart , James Hardie , Officemax , the American Nickeloid, Liberty Village, Double D Express, Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Eakas, Target , and Horizon Industries . Peru

637-494: Is slightly more Democratic than in 2000 when Bush lost to Al Gore 51.13% to 45.60% in the village. The most Republican area of the village is the Southwest quadrant which went for Bush both years. (In 2000 Bush won 51.29% to 45.24%, and in 2004, Bush won 49.91% to 49.31%.). The current mayor of Evergreen Park is Kelly Burke . Pace and CTA provide bus service on multiple routes connecting Evergreen Park to destinations across

686-495: Is the home of at least three very old companies. It is the national headquarters of American Nickeloid, started in 1898, and the W.H. Maze Co, dealing in lumber and nails, which started the year the Illinois and Michigan Canal opened in 1848. Maze Nails is one of America's last remaining nail makers. Peru is home to the offices of Carus Chemical Company, started in 1915, today one of the largest manufacturers of potassium permanganate in

735-908: The Southland . It is located within the Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 and the Evergreen Park Community High School District 231 . Public schools: Private schools: Brother Rice High School , Mother McAuley High School , and St. Rita High School are all private schools located in Chicago in close proximity to Evergreen Park. St. Xavier University also borders Chicago and Evergreen Park. Evergreen Park Little League hosted

784-644: The Toddle House and Steak 'n Egg Kitchen restaurant chains. These were sold in 1988, as was the County Seat clothing chain. In 1989, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. was acquired by P.A. Bergner & Co. (founded in Peoria), who operated the Bergner's , Charles V. Weise, Myers Brothers and Boston Store chains. In 1991, P.A. Bergner & Co . filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; upon emerging from bankruptcy in 1993, it became

833-568: The poverty line , including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over. Evergreen Park is in Illinois's 1st congressional district , and its congressman is Democrat Jonathan Jackson . It is also a part of Illinois’s 6th congressional district , represented by Democrat Sean Casten . The village backed Barack Obama by a margin of 61.25% to 37.40% over John McCain in 2008. Evergreen Park leans moderately Democratic as John Kerry beat George W. Bush here 55.77% to 43.40% in 2004. This

882-542: The 1950s the Evergreen Park Plaza had seen more than $ 8 million in major internal & external improvements. Evergreen Plaza was shortened to be acknowledged as, "The Plaza". The Plaza covered 1,200,000 square feet (110,000 m ), and two stories. As of 2006, The Plaza had an annual visitor count of roughly 7 million people. After 61 years of operation, The Plaza closed for redevelopment on May 31, 2013. The Plaza, in its new form, re-opened on October 18, 2018, and

931-501: The 2021 census gazetteer files, Evergreen Park has a total area of 3.16 square miles (8.18 km ),all land. U.S. Route 12 and U.S. Route 20 bisect Evergreen Park as 95th street . As of the 2020 census there were 19,943 people, 7,161 households, and 4,964 families residing in the village. The population density was 6,305.09 inhabitants per square mile (2,434.41/km ). There were 7,585 housing units at an average density of 2,398.04 per square mile (925.89/km ). The racial makeup of

980-540: The Grand Trunk Railroad) came through the area in 1873. In 1875, the community built its first school just west of 95th and Kedzie. The school and the stores that began to cluster around this intersection defined the community's main business area. Nearby, a real-estate developer, with a vision of the Arc de Triomphe area of Paris, laid out a star-shaped park with eight streets radiating from it. The evergreen trees planted in

1029-592: The Loop. The Village is also currently surrounded by Chicago on the north, south, and east sides. Evergreen Park is also known as the "Village of Churches" because of its thirteen established religious congregations within close proximity. On June 17, 1950, Little Company of Mary Hospital , located at 2800 W. 95th St. in Evergreen Park, was the site of the world's first successful organ transplant . Dr. Richard Lawler, MD , an exceptional surgeon at Cook County Hospital, led

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1078-538: The United Clock Company in Peru. Shortly afterward, it went bankrupt and was reorganized with the help of Frederick William Matthiessen as the Western Clock Company. By 1905 it had grown into a national company, producing over 1 million alarm clocks per year. In 1909, they trademarked " Westclox ". In 1917 they became a model for workers' benefits, one of the early companies to pay life insurance and have

1127-593: The armed forces. At its height it manufactured nearly 2 million clocks and watches annually and employed over 4,000 persons. It closed the Peru factory in 1980; the loss of jobs caused a rapid decline in population in LaSalle and Peru. Today the old Westclox Administration Building is now the headquarter for the Carus Corporation and the rest of the Westclox complex is being redeveloped into a commercial center. The building

1176-506: The bluff and the river, leading to the growth eastward of a large industrial district. Developed along the river and the canal, it was served by the Rock Island Railroad and Chicago Burlington and Quincy. These important transportation routes, along with coal mining in at least four mines lasting from 1857 until 1949, were the basis for Peru's rise to an industrial center. Many entrepreneurs grew into prominent businessmen and advanced

1225-402: The city was $ 52,635, and the median income for a family was $ 73,477. Males had a median income of $ 50,645 versus $ 24,706 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 34,268. About 6.3% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over. There are a number of business districts in Peru. The largest

1274-429: The city. The population density was 977.87 inhabitants per square mile (377.56/km ). There were 4,825 housing units at an average density of 476.78 per square mile (184.09/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 86.86% White , 1.31% African American , 0.21% Native American , 1.75% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 2.68% from other races , and 7.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.43% of

1323-527: The conversion of three Parisian stores. Bon-Ton announced on April 17, 2018 that they would cease operations and began liquidating all 267 stores after two liquidators, Great American Group and Tiger Capital Group, won an auction for the company. The bid was estimated to be worth $ 775.5 million. This included all remaining Carson's stores after 164 years of operation. According to national retail reporter Mitch Nolen, stores closed within 10 to 12 weeks. The intellectual property of Bon-Ton , including Carson's,

1372-491: The early 1950s. In 1952, real estate developer Arthur Rubloff debuted the Evergreen Plaza in the heart of the southwest Chicago suburbs. A few years after the shopping mall's debut, Rubloff decided to enclose the mall thereby making it the first indoor shopping mall in the Chicago area. As a result, Rubloff changed shopping by allowing people the opportunity to pull up, park, and shop for various goods all in one place. Since

1421-599: The group was put up for sale as Saks Incorporated tried to refocus itself primarily on its core Saks Fifth Avenue stores. Carson's and its associated stores became part of The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. in a $ 1.1 billion deal completed on March 6, 2006. The group's merchandising and marketing base remained in Milwaukee. Bon-Ton converted Elder-Beerman stores in Indiana and Michigan to the newly shortened Carson's name in 2011 and 2012. The chain expanded into Metro Detroit in 2013 with

1470-413: The interests of Peru and the region. Prominent companies from that time included Maze Lumber, Maze Nails, Peru Plow and Wheel Works, Huse and Loomis Ice Co, Brunner Foundry, Star Union Brewery, Hebel Brewery, Illinois Zinc (Peru and LaSalle were sometimes referred to as "Zinc City") and many others. Peru's citizens were intent on improving their town, so far as constructing a plank road , northwest of town,

1519-524: The ownership of a dry goods store which became known as Carson Pirie Scott & Co. Two of Scott's sons, Robert L. and Frederick H., were members of the department store firm. The flagship store on State Street in the Downtown Chicago Loop is still known as the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building . Louis Sullivan designed it for department store Schlesinger & Mayer , who added to it over

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1568-536: The park inspired the village's name. The location and layout of the park was intended to be the center of town, but 95th St and Kedzie Ave. later proved a more accurate midpoint. After the death of Mayor Henry Klein shortly after the village's 75th anniversary, the park was renamed Klein Park in his honor. In 1888 St. Mary's Cemetery opened, and mourners traveled by train from Chicago. Restaurants and taverns were created to provide meals for cemetery visitors. Within five years,

1617-442: The population was 19,943. The village shares a border with Chicago on the north, east, and south sides; while also sharing a border with Oak Lawn on the west side. As early as 1828, a German farming family had settled in the area of what is now Evergreen Park. In the succeeding decades, other German immigrants arrived. Kedzie Avenue and 95th Street crisscrossed the farmland and provided access to markets. The first railroad (now

1666-399: The population. There were 4,482 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.81% were married couples living together, 10.95% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.42% were non-families. 34.65% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

1715-475: The serious economic crisis, The Village of Evergreen Park declared its independence and was incorporated on December 20, 1893. Prior to its incorporation, the village was sustained by approximately 500 regional residents. The final decision to incorporate as its own entity separate from the City of Chicago was made by a 41 out of 50 approval by village residents. John M. Foley, a real estate and insurance agent, became

1764-424: The site remained in limbo, showing only a message of "coming soon." Peru, Illinois Peru is a city in LaSalle and Bureau counties, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,896 at the 2020 census , down from 10,295 at the 2010 census . It is part of the Ottawa, IL Micropolitan Statistical Area . Peru and its twin city, LaSalle , make up the core of Illinois Valley. The city's first settler

1813-430: The village had become a recreation center that attracted hundreds of Chicagoans to its picnic groves, beer gardens, and dance halls. The first of the village's 13 churches was established in 1893. As a result of the financial panic of the 1890s, several surrounding communities voted to be annexed by Chicago. Realizing the current and future potential of its strong business district, and in order to avoid annexation during

1862-407: The village was 57.84% White , 24.49% African American , 0.41% Native American , 1.19% Asian , 0.07% Pacific Islander , 7.87% from other races , and 8.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.10% of the population. There were 7,161 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.21% were married couples living together, 14.89% had

1911-454: The village's first mayor. During the 1890s, The Village of Evergreen Park officially occupied an area of four square miles; it now covers an area of the same size. In 1899, shortly after its incorporation, the village introduced telephone services to the community. In 1910, gas and electric lines were extended into homes and street lights were erected. By 1920, most of the village's homes had indoor plumbing, although some residents still used

1960-616: The world. In 2021, the DuPage Pistol Shrimp baseball team relocated from Lisle, Illinois to Peru, becoming the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp . The Pistol Shrimp are a member of the collegiate Prospect League . Schools serving Peru include: The city operates Illinois Valley Regional Airport . Evergreen Park, Illinois Evergreen Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois , United States. In 2020,

2009-598: The years. When that company went bankrupt in 1904, they sold the building to Carson Pirie Scott in 1904, and it would remain Carson's flagship store for 114 years until the Carson's chain closed in 2018. In 1961, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. greatly expanded in Illinois by purchasing the 20 unit Block & Kuhl chain headquartered in Peoria . In 1980, to diversify its business, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. borrowed $ 108 million to buy Dobbs Houses, Inc., an airline caterer and owner of

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2058-401: Was 2.64 and the average family size was 2.12. The city's age distribution consisted of 19.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males. The median income for a household in

2107-414: Was 41.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males. The median income for a household in the village was $ 79,396, and the median income for a family was $ 97,958. Males had a median income of $ 61,171 versus $ 43,148 for females. The per capita income for the village was $ 35,328. About 4.0% of families and 5.8% of the population were below

2156-466: Was John Hays, who arrived in 1830. The city was organized as a borough in 1838, incorporated as a village February 25, 1845, and incorporated as a city on March 13, 1851. The original plat was between West Street, 4th Street, and East Street (now Pine Street). Since the first steamboat Traveler reached Peru in 1831, the city had high hopes of being the western terminus for the Illinois & Michigan Canal . LaSalle won that designation, but Peru became

2205-412: Was destroyed. In 1920, a new village hall was built and the population grew to 800. In 1930, Little Company of Mary Hospital was opened at 95th and California. Within the first year of its inception, 232 babies were born. In 1967, a violent and damaging F4 tornado occurred in Evergreen Park and other nearby suburbs. While the village remains small in size, it is only seventeen miles southwest of

2254-636: Was in Evergreen Park; the company never followed through in Orland Park and Lombard. The Evergreen Park location closed in October 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic . Carson's currently has no brick and mortar stores and exists only as on online retailer. As of November 2021, Carson's website was preparing for another relaunch by BrandX who has also acquired the Stage Store trademarks; however, as of November 2024,

2303-781: Was quickly sold in bankruptcy to CSC Generation , and online retail was reopened. The new owners, based in Merrillville, Indiana , were also exploring opening new store locations. On October 29, 2018; Under this new ownership and using the same company and stores' names, Bon-Ton started announcing it would reopen the Evergreen Park, Illinois Carson's store on November 24 ( Black Friday )–one of Bon-Ton's first brick-and-mortar stores to reopen. Bon-Ton has also announced plans to open brick-and-mortar Carson's stores in Bloomingdale , Lombard and Orland Park . The sole location to return to operation

2352-538: Was renamed the Evergreen Marketplace. Evergreen Park is located at 41°43′12″N 87°42′9″W  /  41.72000°N 87.70250°W  / 41.72000; -87.70250 (41.719933, −87.702499). The suburb is surrounded by the city of Chicago on three of its sides, while Oak Lawn and Hometown border it on the west. Chicago's Ashburn community is to its north, Beverly is to its east, and Beverly and Mount Greenwood are to its south. According to

2401-492: Was repudiated by many of his colleagues and criticized by the Catholic church. By the 1970s, with organ transplantation evolving into a widely recognized life-saving necessity, Lawler and his entire team earned the much-deserved respect from the medical community, and their reputation healed. Dr. Lawler retired in 1979 and died in 1982. The Evergreen Plaza , located on 95th and Western, was an indoor shopping mall originating from

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