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Historian Elaine Coorens admits to being a liar. As a guide for the Old Wicker Park Committee’s tour of historic homes in the 1970s, Coorens would blithely pass along incorrect information about the district’s origins to unsuspecting tourists.

"I had no reason to believe that there was any other story but that," Coorens said, regarding the oft-told tale that brothers and land-owners Charles G. and Joel Wicker donated the land for the neighborhood’s namesake park to the City of Chicago in 1870.

Coorens was shocked to find this story didn’t hold water while doing research for her recently released 288-page book, Wicker Park: From 1673 thru 1929 and Walking Tour Guide. Looking at tract books dating back to the 1800s at Chicago Title and Trust Co. (now Chicago Title Insurance Co.), Coorens discovered that the land actually was owned by a Mary L. Stewart.

History challenged
Stewart was the widow of land-owner D.S. Lee. After Lee’s death in 1860, his land became the property of his mother Nancy Lee and Stewart (who remarried later). Upon Nancy’s death in 1868, the land became incorporated into the City of Chicago through what is known as the D.S. Lee Addition. Coorens said it was Stewart who donated the land for Wicker Park to the city in 1870.

So why does the park bear the name of "Wicker" and when did the story start circulating?

"Something appeared written by a woman who used to work for Charles the year he died," Coorens said. The 1890 piece "stated that he divided the land and donated it to the city," which Coorens says probably isn’t true.

"It is obvious the Wickers had something to do with the development of the park," Coorens said, adding that the name of "Wicker Park" is in the historic tract books. "As good real estate people would do, they would state that properties they owned were located on or by the park, which would bring them more value. You must remember at this point [Wicker Park] was the boonies."

Wicker Park Immigrants
It was little historical tidbits like these that encouraged Coorens throughout her two years of work on her book—even though she said doing the research has been a slight detriment to her computer consulting business, Coorens Communications Inc. Her drive to chronicle the history of Wicker Park grew largely from her involvement in the Old Wicker Park Committee, a neighborhood association that wanted a historical book about the district. In addition to serving as a docent on historic tours of the district, Coorens was the editor of the Committee’s magazine Circa in the 1980s.

Coorens’ interest in Wicker Park stretches back even further. She says her parents’ families of Norwegian and Belgian descent first settled near the Wicker Park area. "I choose to say I too am an immigrant," joked Coorens about her 1976 move to the area. "I immigrated from Lincoln Park."

Other myths Coorens debunks
• Despite what many real estate agents would say, Coorens used tract books that designate the current borders of Wicker Park with the streets of Division Street on the South, Western Avenue on the West, Ashland Avenue on the East and Bloomingdale Avenue on the North. Coorens calls real estate agents and their 1980s mapping efforts that show Wicker Park’s northern border pushed down to North Avenue as "ridiculous."

• The famed residence of Chicago businessman John F. Smulski at 2138 W. Pierce Ave. (frequently known as the "Paderewski House") was rumored to be a one-time Polish Consulate. Coorens points out that Poland would have to own the land for that to be true–but it never did.

• While it is likely that famed Polish pianist/composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski (later Poland’s first Prime Minister) spent the night at 2138 W. Pierce in 1915, there is no conclusive proof that he performed two concerts there. The first concert was rumored to have been the night before a dedication of a Humboldt Park statue of Polish Revolutionary War hero Kosciuszko in 1915. The other is a rumored memorial concert following Smulski’s suicide in 1928.

• Coorens said that Smulski took his life in an apartment in Chicago, not in his house as was popularly believed. Smulski, a businessman, banker, politician and avid supporter of a free Poland, commited suicide over his inoperable cancer.

Wicker Park: From 1673 thru 1929 and Walking Tour Guide is available at area bookstores, or by calling 773.235.8688.