Portage Park was not only the site that gave the area its name, it created the neighborhood by bringing together what had been several distinct communities that were populated by a slew of diverse ethnicities.

Portage Park quickly became the center of the community, providing athletics and team sports, cultural and club activities, festivities and special events for residents of Chicago's Northwest Side.

This Rock House had another small pond area that had goldfish and flower basins, with the water in it kept at a substantial depth to support the fish over winter.

This goldfish pond was later filled as a result of the polio epidemic in the 1940s, although the flower planters to the north and east of the main entrance off Central at Irving Park Road will give an idea of just what this Rock House looked like.

In 1972, Portage Park hosted the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, where gold medalist Mark Spitz set new world's records.