by Bill Keese, October 2, 2001

My family moved to Park Forest in August, 1954. We lived at 323 Dogwood until October, 1958 when we moved to Houston, Texas. We lived at 323 Dogwood. My four years growing up in Park Forest left a life-long impression on me and were the most influential years of my life. Life was absolutely great in Park Forest. It is a shame every child in America can't experience growing up in a community like Park Forest.

My father, Garland Keese was Vice President of Used Truck Sales for International Harvester Company, headquartered in Chicago. My mother, June Keese was a wife, mother and housewife. I was in the first class to move in to Hickory Hill School. Before that, all elementary students attended class at Faith United Presbyterian Church. My 1st grade teacher was Miss Royer, who later became the principle at Hickory Hill School. I played Little League baseball in the Southern Division and played on the team named Savannah.

I had an older brother, Paul, who was in high school at the time and was a 1957 graduate of Rich Township High School. During high school, my brother worked as a busboy at Mickleberry's Restaurant. Back then, that was the fanciest place in town.

Many times in my life I have wished my family had remained in Park Forest until I finished high school. The formal education I received in Kindergarten thru part of 4th grade was far superior to the educational system here in Texas. In fact, when I was in my twenties and thirties, serving as a state representative in the Texas House of Representatives, I used this comparison to gain more appropriations for public education in Texas.

Thirty years after we moved from Park Forest, I returned for a visit. I was amazed at how well kept the town was. It was just as neat and attractive as I remember it being in the 1950's. Once I found our old address on Dogwood, I was able to name all our old neighbors who have long since moved away. I was able to find my old schools, ball parks, and favorite places to play. I took a walk through the forest preserve to savor the beauty.

One day I will come back and visit Park Forest. In my 52 years, it is the best place I ever lived.
Bill Keese
Austin, Texas