Although Cynthia Ogorek has spent her entire life within a mile of the Indiana/Illinois border, the historian and author found she had a lot to learn about the Calumet Region.
Ogorek’s post-college goal was to become an author of history, but the Calumet City, Illinois, resident first took a job as a museum director in Illinois. While writing a proposal for the Lincoln Highway, she expanded her research to include the entire Calumet Region. She has since written four books; the most recent one, “The Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad,” was highlighted last month at Miles Books in Highland.
“This book was written in partnership with South Suburban railroad historian and expert, Bill Molony,” Ogorek said at the book-signing event. “It takes readers from the Ideal Section in Dyer to Geneva, Illinois, via the south suburbs of Chicago. All of these routes have had an impact on living in Northwest Indiana.”
This book focuses on the terminal line that allowed four railroads to enter Chicago from Indiana more efficiently and less expensively, starting in 1879.
Those four railroads were the Monon, the Erie, the Grand Trunk and the Wabash. The fifth line, the Chicago and Eastern Illinois, also came out of Indiana, but from the Evansville area.
All of these railroads gained access to the Chicago markets via Dearborn Station at the south end of Chicago’s Loop
Her third book, “Along the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad” was motivated by her work as a hostess/narrator while offering informational trips of the South Shore Railroad.
“Various groups hired me to do these tours,” she said. “I realized that so many people didn’t know the important facts involved with this railroad, so this led me to write my third book.”
The South Shore Line is the last electric interurban rail line in the nation.
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The second book, “The Lincoln Highway Around Chicago,” involved much more research, and some historical societies agreed to let her use their photos. Her first book, “Along the Calumet River,” was published in 2004.
Ogorek, who has been a member of the Lincoln Highway Association since 1998, hopes her readers will enjoy taking a little tour of local history, learning something they may not have been aware of, and value the heritage they grew up with.
Regarding her take on history research and reporting, Ogorek feels she is making a mark in the community in a unique way.
“Our area, on an international level, is very interesting,” she said. “In my small way, I’m leaving a documentation of what’s gone on for the last 175 years in the Calumet Region.”
Future plans for Ogorek include completing a book about Chicago’s Hegewisch community.
Ogorek’s books are available at local bookstores and online at Amazon.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.