City of DeKalb Collection

The City of DeKalb Collection is organized into two record series. The first series, City Records, consists of budgets, comprehensive development plans, revised ordinances, and committee records. Documentation on the urban renewal project in 1968-1969 can be found in the Urban Renewal Study Committee records. Demographic and economic information on the area is available in the development plans and in a survey done in 1947. Records from the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce comprise series two. Included are annual reports, correspondence, committee reports and newsletters. For those interested in basic background information on DeKalb, a photograph book printed in 1913 provides a brief history with views of area businesses, churches, and residences. Researchers studying the history of DeKalb also may want to consult several other sources held by the Regional History Center. County histories, plat books and atlases, and city directories are excellent materials for basic background information. Those seeking information on city planning and zoning should check the DeKalb City Planning Commission Records (see IRAD inventories). In addition, many other private manuscript collections document the families, organizations, churches, and businesses of DeKalb (see the Center’s Guide to Sources).