‘Encountering Evanston History’: A new book on Evanston history – the regrettable and the unforgettable

Evanston history springs vividly to life in 75 stories written by 18 local authors, most of them former reporters for the Evanston RoundTable newspaper, and collected in this 348-page book. Handsome enough for the coffee table but so compelling it will not go unread, the book looks at some of the accomplishments for which Evanston can be proud, including:

• its stand on the abolition of slavery,
• its success in treating sewage and purifying drinking water,
• its founding of organizations that serve the needs of its most at-risk citizens and
• its establishment of renowned hospitals and of what has become a world-class university.

But the book also shines a light on some troubling aspects of Evanston’s past:

• Evanston was established on land cleared for settlement through treaties between the federal government and indigenous tribes.
• The flawed visions of icons Frances Willard and John Evans lay hidden for years.
• Evanston perpetuated for many years segregation and racist policies in housing, schools, youth activities, community organizations and local governments.

The stories also describe how the Evanston community has struggled to address these issues.

Water permeates the history of the city on the lake. A shipwreck stimulated the construction of the Grosse Point lighthouse, sanitation issues precipitated the building of the North Shore canal, Fountain Square was born and born again, and a massive lakefill project that added 74 acres to the 85-acre Northwestern University campus changed the profile of the lakeshore.

On the lighter side are stories about the creation of Canal Shores golf course to lure young men away from the evils of the city, about elegant shopping in Evanston’s retail heyday and about the decision to banish the ban on alcohol embedded in the city’s past. Many new stories join favorites from the three history magazines the RoundTable created for Evanston’s sesquicentennial in 2013.

“The 18 writers are Evanstonians who, over the years, have seen, studied, cringed and seethed at, assessed, loved and written about the mosaic that is Evanston. They offer this book for readers to encounter the past and perhaps look at Evanston in a new way,” said Mary Helt Gavin, one of the writers. 

Look for bookmarks at the cash register in your favorite stores and sign up for a book-talk by the authors.

“Encountering Evanston History” will be available in December at www.evanstonbook.com and at selected local bookstores and shops.

All profits go to the Evanston RoundTable Media NFP.

For more information, visit the website, www.evanstonbook.com or scan the QR code below.