Vivid Look into the Significant History of the Calumet River Region of Illinois and Indiana

Take a step back in time and rediscover one of the most significant, yet overlooked regions of the historical United States. In “Along the Calumet River -Images of America” we follow Cynthia Ogorek as she winds a path through the various stages of development in the Calumet River region.

Calumet City, IL (PRWEB) May 18, 2006 -- The history of the 19th and 20th centuries in the Calumet region of Northwest Indiana and south Cook County, Illinois, is considerably under-reported. Most people hear only about the history of Chicago never realizing that the city succeeded in great part because of its Calumet hinterland -- both in agricultural and industrial times. In the 1930s and 40s, for instance, the Calumet River valley was known as the “workshop of the world.” And those who weren’t working in the factories were producing food for the restaurants, hotels and households of Chicago and elsewhere in the nation.

Native to this area is author Cynthia Ogorek, who was born in Hammond, Indiana, and grew up in Calumet City, IL. A firm believer in “home is where your story begins,” Ogorek decided to combine her love of storytelling and passion for a time long passed, into an historical photo-essay called “Along the Calumet River” (ISBN 0738533440). “I used to love to listen to my parents and older relatives tell stories about what they did as children, how their parents did things, where they came from, and what this area was like when they were young. There’s just something intriguing about getting a feel for another era; imagining how those people felt” explains Ogorek.

The Calumet River, once known as the Callimink, meanders along a 90-mile corridor and drains a 600 square mile watershed. Native Americans were the original inhabitants of this once pristine region, with the pioneer era starting in 1833. The new settlers were looking for land to farm and a water source for drinking, irrigating, and to power mills. As the area became more populated, cleanliness became an issue and by the time industrialization hit, waste problems became huge. Noticing a serious need for environmental revitalization, various environmental groups have been re-educating the public. Every decade of the 20th century saw some effort to clean up the river.

Urbanization has also put a new face on the region. Many of the old farmlands are now housing developments. Despite the environmental issues and overwhelming development throughout the region, the Calumet River is still widely used for entertainment and recreation. Outdoor enthusiasts will find opportunities for hiking, fishing, canoeing, and more.

In “Along the Calumet River,” Ogorek eloquently illustrates the time before bridges and the era in which pioneers built the bridges literally over the river and figuratively among themselves and the natives. Covering industrialization, urbanization, recreation, and the newest history -- environmental and historical preservation in the valley -- Ogorek intersperses over 200 vintage images into her writings. This truly is a significant contribution to the preservation of the history of the Calumet River region and the United States.

Ogorek is native to the Calumet region. Receiving her masters in U.S. history from Purdue, she now works as a public historian. She has written numerous papers and articles on historic subjects, was the former director of the Matteson Historical Museum, and was also one of the founders of the Calumet City Historical Society Museum. She is a long-time member of the Calumet Ecological Park Association, South Suburban Heritage Association and the Historical Community of Northwest Indiana. “Along the Calumet River” (ISBN 0738533440) is her first book and can be purchased at online bookstores. For more information, go to www.centerofknownhistory.com.

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