Poor Phil: The Original Oak Park Cyclist
Photos courtesy of The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest
Philander Barclay was an Oak Park historian, bicycle repairman, and one of the area's earliest amateur photographers. He lived in Oak Park during the late 19th and early 20th centuries--certainly one of the Village's most exciting eras. The quiet young man was an unlikely contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright, Ernest Hemingway and Doris Humphrey.
His parents ran a local drug store and beginning early in life, Philander rode his bicycle throughout the area taking photographs of places and people. By the time of his death in 1940, he had amassed an amazing and priceless collection of more than 1,000 photos, which are now curated by the Oak Park and River Forest Historical Society. A selection is also available for viewing online.
He may not be famous, but Philander Barclay is still Oak Park's most noteworthy cyclist and photographer.
Philander Barclay was an Oak Park historian, bicycle repairman, and one of the area's earliest amateur photographers. He lived in Oak Park during the late 19th and early 20th centuries--certainly one of the Village's most exciting eras. The quiet young man was an unlikely contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright, Ernest Hemingway and Doris Humphrey.
His parents ran a local drug store and beginning early in life, Philander rode his bicycle throughout the area taking photographs of places and people. By the time of his death in 1940, he had amassed an amazing and priceless collection of more than 1,000 photos, which are now curated by the Oak Park and River Forest Historical Society. A selection is also available for viewing online.
He may not be famous, but Philander Barclay is still Oak Park's most noteworthy cyclist and photographer.
posted 12:01 PM
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