It is unclear what Campbell's intentions with the area were, but by 1840, he had lost a court battle with the Illinois State Bank and his land was sold in a public auction.

John Simpson, a prominent figure in early Oak Lawn history, bought the northern half of the property in 1842.

By 1859, the recently incorporated government of Worth Township paid for the construction of Black Oak Grove Road, an early name for 95th Street.

Oak Lawn residents also made income during early days by selling their farm and dairy products to various markets in Chicago.

[4] Electric lights were brought to 95th Street in 1911, the volunteer fire department began in 1923, Oak Lawn's first bank opened in 1925, and the Community High School District 218 was formed.

Beginning in 1949, Oak Lawn Round-Up Days became an annual event and helped to promote the village.

On April 21, 1967, a tornado touched down in Oak Lawn that is recorded as one of the worst to strike an urban area.

On April 21, 1967, an F4 tornado touched down at 105th Street and Kean Avenue in Palos Hills, 5 miles (8 km) west of Oak Lawn.

With winds estimated to be over 200 miles per hour (320 km/h), the tornado tore through Oak Lawn, tossing cars and buses in the air.

After cutting Oak Lawn Community High School in half, it caused damage to St. Gerald's and continued to 91st Street and Cicero Avenue, heavily damaging the Airway Trailer Park and the Oak Lawn Roller Rink before rising from ground level.

Eventually, several square blocks were leveled, making room for several multistory, high-end condominium complexes with retail space on the main floors.

Part of the project was the expansion of the Metra commuter train station that houses a retail/office center and a new children's museum.

It now features modern high-rise buildings, new shopping areas, a large contemporary Metra train station,[10] and several new retail and service facilities.

These include playgrounds, walking paths, baseball fields, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, plus outdoor swimming pools, an indoor ice arena, two fitness centers, and an 18-hole golf course.

Found throughout the village, the signs garnered attention with the press and were not well received by residents, nor did they noticeably impact public safety.

[20] The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and IDOT voiced their concerns about the use of these nonconforming stop signs and the village removed them in April 2008.

[21] Initially, the Village President refused to remove the signs until IDOT threatened to withhold millions of dollars in funding for infrastructure.