Glenview History Center’s very own past president, the prolific author Beverly Roberts Dawson, will be signing copies of her history books at Glenview’s Costco this Saturday! Please join us in supporting her and celebrating her accomplishments! We will definitely bring in our copies of Glenview and Glenview Naval Air Station to be signed by the lovely author!

Where: Costco

2900 Patriot Blvd, Glenview IL 60026

When:  Saturday, June 14th, 2014; 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.

Here’s the official press release:

Following the signing of the treaty of 1833, which required that local Potawatomi tribes relocate west of the Mississippi River, European settlers began to arrive in the area now called Glenview. Primarily of English and German origin, they established farms and trading posts. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 had a profound effect on the hamlet. Lumber from the forests of Wisconsin used to rebuild the city was moved from the north via rail. By 1872, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad laid the first set of tracks from Wisconsin to Chicago; the line brought prosperity to local residents. In 1899, the village was incorporated. The first mayor, Hugh Burnham, a nephew of Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, is credited with its name—Glen View. The community evolved into a mosaic of truck farms, major industry, small businesses, country clubs, polo fields, entrepreneurs, and colorful characters.

1923—just 20 years after the Wright brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk—a Naval Reserve aviation training program was established at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Originally, sea planes and a few small land-based planes were used for primary flight instruction. With the development of heavier, faster military aircraft, the Great Lakes facility became inadequate. Under Rear Adm. John Downes, commandant of the 9th Naval District, the search for a suitable new location was undertaken. Curtiss-Reynolds-Wright Airfield was deemed ideal for relocation of the aviation training program. From humble beginnings as Naval Reserve Aviation Base Chicago, Naval Air Station Glenview (the official U.S. Navy designation) went on to play a vital and unique role during World War II. Until closure in 1995, the base was home to thousands of Navy and Marine Reserve pilots, aircrews, and support personnel—proudly known as weekend warriors.”

Beverly Roberts Dawson, past president of the Glenview Area Historical Society and historian of the Glenview Hangar One Foundation, frequently writes and lectures about the history of Naval Air Station Glenview. Images contained in these books are derived from the Glenview Historical Society as well as the Glenview Hangar One Foundation and her own personal collection.

Join the author for a signing:

Where:  Costco

2900 Patriot Blvd, Glenview IL 60026

When:  Saturday, June 14th, 2014; 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.

  Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888)-313-2665.