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Mount Prospect Organizations Page 2
Mount Prospect Lions Club
Mount Prospect Midget Football Association
Mount Prospect Park District
Mount Prospect Woman's Club
Questers
River Trails Park District
Sunrise Rotary Club
VFW Post 1337
Name of organization Mount Prospect Lions Club
When was the organization founded 1934
Does the organization still exist Yes
What is/was the main goal of the organization To provide assistance to needy citizens and worthwhile causes in Mount Prospect
What is/was the organizations address in MP
Does MPHS have a list of members Yes
Does MPHS have photos of organization Yes
Is organization responsible for landmarks in MP Yes
History and interesting stories about the organization:
In the March of 1934, a group of 31 friends and relatives met
in the basement of a Main Street building, marking the first meeting of the
Mount Prospect Lions Club. Sponsored by a similar club from a neighboring
village, Des Plaines, this organization boasted of charter members from
prominent Mount Prospect families: Biermann, Busse, Moehling, Willie, etc. With
such a well-known member roster, the club appeared to especially strive in
assisting Mount Prospect and its citizens through various philanthropic
efforts. For instance, in 1947, the club bought 16 acres of land in the hopes
of constructing a memorial for Mount Prospect soldiers who had died in World War
II. The club's dream did eventually come into fruition, as that land is now
known as Lions Memorial Park.
Throughout its existence, the club has and will continue to
donate funds to local organizations and charities from the Northwest Community
Hospital to the Mount Prospect Historical Society to the Mount Prospect Public
Library. In the past, the society has also aided blind, deaf, and physically
handicapped individuals with donations to the Illinois Eye Research Institute,
the American Blind Skiing Foundation, and the National Federation for the Blind.
Name of organization Mount Prospect Midget Football Association (MPMFA)
When was the organization founded 1958
Does the organization still exist
What is/was the main goal of the organization To educate children in moral, mental, and physical values
What is/was the organizations address in MP
Does MPHS have a list of members No
Does MPHS have photos of organization Yes
Is organization responsible for landmarks in MP No
History and interesting stories about the organization:
According to the September 23, 1970 Herald, the Mount
Prospect Midget Football Association (MPMFA) teaches children "the thrill of
competition, the agony of defeat, and the chest-expanding pride of winning."
However, those were not the association's original intentions. Through the
efforts of the Mount Prospect United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, MPMFA
was solely founded in 1957 to combat the lack of athletic and recreational
services for eight to twelve year old boys in the fall months. Youths
participating in the association are guaranteed to learn not only the
fundamentals of the game but the satisfaction of teamwork and good sportsmanship
as well.
Name of organization Mount Prospect Park District
When was the organization founded 1955
Does the organization still exist Yes
What is/was the main goal of the organization To provide recreational facilities for the community
What is/was the organizations address in MP
Does MPHS have a list of members No
Does MPHS have photos of organization Yes
Is organization responsible for landmarks in MP No
History and interesting stories about the organization:
On a hot July day in 1954, two Mount Prospect citizens
complained about the village's lack of a public swimming pool. The right people
must have heard their complaints, because a committee was soon formed to
investigate the possibility of a public pool. At the end of their
investigation, the committee concluded that the lack of any recreational
facilities in Mount Prospect deemed it necessary for the formation of a village
park district. In 1955, in response to the committee's findings, presidents of
seven Mount Prospect civic associations from the Country Club Home Owner's
Association to the Memory Lane Club unanimously endorsed the establishment of a
park district. Later that year, a bond issue was voted on and passed by
citizens, allowing for the development of a pool and bathhouse at Lions Memorial
Park. This was the first act of the Mount Prospect Park District
In 1974, the park district was a central figure in the
establishment of the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA). This
organization is a conglomeration of various park districts that have pooled
their resources to better serve those with special recreational needs. In an
effort to further foster goodwill among its fellow park districts, in 2001,
Mount Prospect entered into a cooperative agreement with the Prospect Heights
and River Trails Park Districts, allowing those living in the parks' boundaries
to use all three parks' facilities and programs.
Name of organization Mount Prospect Woman's Club
When was the organization founded 1927
Does the organization still exist Yes
What is/was the main goal of the organization Service
What is/was the organizations address in MP
Does MPHS have a list of members No
Does MPHS have photos of organization Yes
Is organization responsible for landmarks in MP No
History and interesting stories about the organization:
In 1927, a group of women met over cups of coffee in a
meeting place heated by a coal stove and with an outside pump as its only source
of water. Under such miserable conditions, a constitution was formed, a
president was elected, and the Mount Prospect Woman's Club was born. Initially
founded as an independent organization, in the 1930s, the club became affiliated
with the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs. In 1940, members decided to
further expand their allegiance to include the National Federation.
While its members had been known to sing "America" and "Home,
Sweet Home" at meetings, the club is a serious philanthropic organization,
focused on improving Mount Prospect through mutual helpfulness. From organizing
a "Beautify Mount Prospect" program to awarding college scholarships to
students, the club has strived to service the community and its inhabitants.
Perhaps its greatest contribution to the village is the Mount Prospect Public
Library. Established in 1929, the library was dependent on members who
willingly volunteered their time to collect books and funds for its operation.
The club continued to operate the library until it became tax-supported in
1943. Throughout its existence, the organization has donated money to the Mount
Prospect Public Library, Mount Prospect Fire Department, Mount Prospect Police
Department, Mount Prospect Historical Society, etc.
Name of organization Questers, Scrimshaw Chapter No. 372
When was the organization founded 1969
Does the organization still exist Yes
What is/was the main goal of the organization To educate, to learn, to quest, to find
What is/was the organizations address in MP
Does MPHS have a list of members No
Does MPHS have photos of organization No
Is organization responsible for landmarks in MP No
History and interesting stories about the organization:
With a motto of "it's fun to search and a joy to find," the
Questers consider themselves a historical study, preservation, and conservation
group, an "antique study group" of sorts. As a non-profit, non-sectarian,
non-political organization, the Questers strive to educate nonmembers through
research and study as well as to donate funds to the preservation of memorials
and buildings. Every year, the Mount Prospect chapter decides upon a subject
they will research. Upon completion of their investigations, those findings are
compiled into a single research paper that is then submitted to a national
contest involving all the Questers' chapters. In 1970, the chapter received
second place for their paper on American furniture of the Federal Period
(1788-1825).
According to the original constitution from 1969, membership
was limited to 16 women in order to ensure a more intimate setting at meetings.
Also, men were not allowed to be recognized members, although they were
permitted to attend meetings as guests. The chapter adopted the name
"Scrimshaw" in the 1970s at the suggestion of Mrs. Rodney Wilson. Throughout
the years, this name has come to define the chapter, and a poem has even been
written about it as well.
"Why Scrimshaws?"
When whaling boats sailed the seas of yore,
Sailors found the 'stills' a bore
Of ivory and of whale bone too,
For lack of other things to do,
They carved small brick-a-brack.
Since our chapter had a lack of collections large and fine,
Our interests liked most any kind,
And made 'Scrimshaws' our name for questing fun,
There's lots of learning to be done.
Name of organization River Trails Park District
When was the organization founded 1965
Does the organization still exist Yes
What is/was the main goal of the organization To provide recreational facilities and open space for the public
What is/was the organizations address in MP
Does MPHS have a list of members No
Does MPHS have photos of organization No
Is organization responsible for landmarks in MP No
History and interesting stories about the organization:
Currently serving residents in northeast Mount Prospect and
southeast Prospect Heights, the River Trails Park District operates over 139
acres of land throughout nine parks: Aspen Trails, Burning Bush Trails, Sycamore
Trials, Tamarack Trails, Woodland Trails, Evergreen Trails, Maple Trails, Rob
Roy Golf Course, and Willow Trails. Along with the Mount Prospect Park
District, River Trials is a member of the Northwest Special Recreation
Association and offers programs geared specifically towards those with special
recreation needs.
In 1966, the first taxes were collected for the operation of
the park district, and voters passed a bond referendum to purchase five park
sites. Two years later, in 1968, the park sites of Aspen Trails, Burning Bush
Trials, Sycamore Trials, Tamarack Trails, and Woodland Trails were purchased at
$13,514 an acre. Throughout the years, the park district has expanded its
acreage through federal grant funds (1972), state grant funds (1981), and land
donations (1989). As the park district has grown in size and facilities, so has
its popularity among the residents. For instance, during a two week period in
August 1970, the public pool at Woodland Trails Park averaged over 1,500
swimmers a day!
Name of organization Sunrise Rotary Club
When was the organization founded 1963
Does the organization still exist Yes
What is/was the main goal of the organization To improve the quality of life for Mount Prospect citizens
What is/was the organizations address in MP
Does MPHS have a list of members No
Does MPHS have photos of organization No
Is organization responsible for landmarks in MP No
History and interesting stories about the organization:
The Sunrise Rotary Club is apart of the Rotary International
District 644 and is an association for business and professional people who want
to give back to their community. Since its founding in 1963, the organization
has attempted to live up to its motto of "service above self" through its
philanthropic efforts. In the past, Rotary funds have purchased equipment for
playgrounds, books for the Mount Prospect Public Library, scholarships for Mount
Prospect students, and support for the Mount Prospect Historical Society.
Name of organization Mount Prospect Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Post 1337)
When was the organization founded 1925
Does the organization still exist Yes
What is/was the main goal of the organization To provide support to the Veterans of the Armed Forces
What is/was the organizations address in MP
Does MPHS have a list of members No
Does MPHS have photos of organization Yes
Is organization responsible for landmarks in MP No
History and interesting stories about the organization:
Chartered in 1925, the Mount Prospect VFW Post 1337
participates in various activities throughout the Mount Prospect community.
Every Memorial Day, the organization arranges a parade, a gun and cannon salute,
and a worship service to honor the memory of soldiers who have died in battle.
To pay further tribute to veterans of the armed services, Mount Prospect
constructed the Veterans' Memorial Band Shell in Lions Memorial Park. During
the memorial's May 31, 1999 dedication, the theme of "Lest We Forget" reigned as
the Mount Prospect community gathered to pay homage to the assembled patriots.