Blue Island
Blue Island by Jason Berry, published by Arcadia Publishing on March 11, 2025, is a detailed exploration of one of the earliest established communities in northeastern Illinois. This edition, comprising 128 pages, delves into the town’s rich history, from its settlement in 1835 to its evolution into a city by 1901. The book highlights Blue Island’s connection to the American economy through its rivers, canals, and railroads, particularly the Rock Island Railroad shops, and showcases the architectural heritage shaped by renowned architects.
Readers will find a comprehensive look at Blue Island’s historical significance, including its thriving brickyards that contributed to Chicago’s reconstruction after the Great Fire. The preservation of local architecture, including homes of both working-class residents and prominent figures, reflects the community’s pride in its unique identity. The images featured in this book are sourced from the Blue Island Historical Society archives, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to keep the town’s history alive through vibrant programming and resources.
Official synopsis Publisher
Situated on a prehistoric ridge, Blue Island is among the earliest established communities in northeastern Illinois, first settled in 1835, later becoming a village in 1872 and a city in 1901. This hardworking town was connected to the American economy through its rivers, canals, and railroads, including the Rock Island Railroad shops. Its brickyards led the nation in production and supplied the very blocks of Chicago’s rebirth after the Great Fire. The architecture of immigrant merchants and significant institutions has largely been preserved, along with many homes of working-class and prominent residents. Renowned architects, including George Washington Maher, Bertrand Goldberg, and Blue Island’s own Robert Seyfarth, designed local landmarks. Blue Island is a community of immense pride that is as aware of its uniqueness as it is eager to share it.
Jason Berry lives in Blue Island and is a life member of the Blue Island Historical Society. Kevin Barron is a special education teacher and creator of the free historic resources organization SouthCookExplore. The images for this book were selected from the Blue Island Historical Society archives and museum. For more than 50 years, the society and its vibrant programming have kept Blue Island’s history a vital part of its continued discovery.
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