Local History

Resources

Elmhurst is a community with a rich local history. Explore the resources below to learn more.

Elmhurst Newspapers

Various newspapers have covered the local news in Elmhurst over the years. The Library maintains both a collection of these newspapers in various formats and tools to locate articles in these newspapers.

Article Searching Tools

  • Elmhurst Independent: (2015-2016 & 11/15/2018-2023) -Full-text and image coverage of the Elmhurst Independent.
  • Elmhurst Suburban Life: (2010-2020) Full-text coverage of the Elmhurst Suburban Life.
  • Elmhurst Doings: (2005-2011) 
  • Leader, The: (Elmhurst University) (2013-current)
  • Elmhurst Local Newspaper Index: This limited index of the following newspapers covers local news and obituaries that relates to Elmhurst. It will lead you to article citations with which you can find the article in the Library's microfilm collection.
  • Elmhurst Doings (March 2001-12/23/2010)
  • Elmhurst Independent (September 2001-September 21, 2017)
  • Elmhurst Press (June 1985-2013)
  • Elmhurst Suburban Life (October 2013 -September 22, 2017)
  • Suburban Life (March 1997-September 2000)

Local Newspaper Holdings

  • DuPage Press available on microfilm:
  • 7 November 1954 – 13 November 1954
  • 8 January 1955 – 19 November 1955
  • 2 January 1956 – 31 December 1956
  • Elmhurst Doings available on microfilm:
  • 19 April 2001 – 23 December 2010
  • Elmhurst Enterprise available on microfilm:
  • 6 July 1894 – 23 June 1899
  • Elmhurst Independent:
  • Available in paper copy: July 2015 – Present
  • Available on microfilm: 18 September 2002 – July 2015
  • Full-text online coverage
  • Elmhurst Leader available on microfilm:
  • 14 June 1929 – 6 December 1929
  • 12 July 1929
  • 25 August 1936 – 22 December 1936
  • 1938 – 30 July 1951
  • Elmhurst Press: Title changed to Elmhurst Suburban Life after October 2013. Available on microfilm: (There is no record of the Elmhurst paper between 1899 & 1918 because of a fire. December 1922 to December 1928 were also lost in a fire.)
  • 4 January 1918 – 12 June 1918
  • 17 December 1918 (this day only)
  • 28 February 1919 – 1 December 1922
  • 4 January 1929 – 27 December 1929
  • January 1931 – October 2013
  • Elmhurst Suburban Life: Previously titled Elmhurst Press
  • Available in paper copy: July 2015 – Present
  • Available on microfilm: 4 October 2013 – July 2015
  • Suburban Life available on microfilm:
  • 6 March 1997 – 15 September 2000
  • Suburban Press available on microfilm:
  • 6 January 1931 – 15 December 1931
  • Wheaton Illinoian available on microfilm:
  • 2 January 1885 – 3 September 1886
  • 10 September 1886 – 15 November 1889


See also: Elmhurst coverage in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Daily Herald which are included in the Library's digital collections.

Local History Files

These are scanned documents from the “odd local history stuff” collection that has accumulated at the Elmhurst Public Library. There is no additional information available about any of the files. Files were copied from newspaper clippings and other documents. As such, authors and publishing dates may be unavailable.