America's Original GI Town


Book Description

At the close of World War II, Americans became increasingly concerned about the problem of housing for returning veterans, relocated defense workers, and their families. Designs such as the garden city that dated from the turn of the twentieth century or earlier were prominent once again, as planners saw a renewed need for ready-made communities. One such community—among the first and, perhaps, most representative—was Park Forest, Illinois, a privately built and publicly managed town twenty-six miles south of Chicago. In this book, Gregory Randall presents the history of the planning, design, construction, and growth of Park Forest. He shows how planners—who dubbed the new community a "GI town"—drew on lessons learned from English garden cities and New Deal greenbelt towns to cope with America's emerging peacetime housing crisis. He also shows how this new town changed community planning throughout the United States, including its effects on community development up to the present.







Park Forest


Book Description

Less than 60 years ago, Park Forest, Illinois, began as a vision of this country's post-World War II future. Located some 40 miles south of Chicago's Loop, Park Forest was the first privately financed, completely planned community ever built in the United States. It was hailed as a "G.I. Town"-a place where veterans could find affordable housing and put down roots. From the date Park Forest was incorporated as a Village in 1949, the community has created a distinguished history for itself, and to this day many of the original residents still take an active part in Village life. Park Forest: Dreams and Challenges brings to life the accomplishments of this inspiring community, which possesses two All-America City awards for its volunteer efforts in building for the future. Featured in the book are historic images of the first regional shopping center built in the nation after the War and the largest publicly-owned swimming complex in the state. Park Forest is also home to both the highly rated Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and the Illinois Theatre Center, a nationally known repertory company.




H is for Harry


Book Description

"H is for Harry" is a second edition of Susan Sink's second volume of poetry, originally published in 2016. These poems continue her exploration of life in words: the lives of women and girls, American identity and landscape, and lived spirituality in the world. What truths can language tell? These poems also form a narrative from divorce to remarriage and renewal in a farm life full of abundance.







NBS Special Publication


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Simulation and Gaming


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New Communities


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