Bixler (Ray) Park

Lying less than a block from William H. Ray Elementary School, Bixler Park is named for Chicago educator Ray Bixler (1890-1947), who served as the school's principal for many years. Having earned a master's degree from the University of Chicago, Bixler began his career in the Chicago school system in 1925, teaching chemistry and other science classes at Harper, Hirsch, and Tilden High Schools. In 1931, he became principal of Barnard High School. Four years later, he was named principal of Ray School, serving there until 1947, the year of his death. By 1950, the City of Chicago's Department of Parks and Recreation was operating this Board of Education property as a playground. In 1959, the city transferred management of the site to the Chicago Park District, which continued to lease the property until 1991. In that year, the park district purchased the property from the Board of Education, and expanded the park by acquiring a strip of land along the park's west side.