Whether or not you were born in Evanston, if you go to ETHS, you are connected to this city. The surface of Evanston’s history is often skimmed over—but rarely explored in depth, especially from a visual angle. That changed with a recent collaboration between the Evanston Art Center and the Evanston History Center, which brought a fresh perspective on the city’s past through photography.
The exhibit, which ran from Feb. 22 to March 26, featured around 15 photographs capturing Evanston over the last 150 years. The goal was to show how the city’s landscape and community have changed and grown over time.
The photos ranged widely in age, with the oldest—Light-House Construction—dating back to 1873. It shows the iconic lighthouse at Lighthouse Beach under construction. The structure, which remained operational until 1935, once guided ships headed toward Chicago.
That is not the only Evanston landmark that has evolved. West on Church Street from Sherman Avenue shows what downtown Evanston looked like in 1930, complete with horse-drawn carriages and freight trains on tracks that are now part of the “L.” While many buildings have changed, one still stands—and if you’ve ever been to 10Q Chicken, it’s right across the street.
But buildings and landscapes aren’t the only glimpses into Evanston’s past. One photo captures the Evanston-Northwestern Community Club, which offered children activities and recreational opportunities. In the image, snow covers the sidewalk as a large group of kids sits outside the club’s doors. Another photograph shows a first-grade class from 1894, offering a look at what the average Evanstonian child looked like in the late 19th century.
One powerful photo shows the Victory in Europe (V.E.) parade in 1945, after Germany surrendered in World War II. A crowd lines the street as soldiers march, and Evanstonians honor those they lost while celebrating that their sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
Evanston has grown—not just in size, but in spirit. While the photos may leave you wondering what it would’ve been like to live back then, they also serve as a reminder: the city’s community has never been as united and diverse as it is now. Sometimes, it takes looking back to truly appreciate the present.
