The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired has been a fixture on Chicago's west end for over 90 years. Following are some important dates in the Lighthouse's history:

1906 The Lighthouse was founded by a group of prominent Chicago women to provide assistance to people who were blind in Chicago.

1910 A sheltered workshop was established at The Lighthouse to provide employment opportunities for people who were blind or visually impaired.

1918 The Lighthouse had placed 46 blind or visually impaired people in competitive jobs around Chicago by this time.

1946 Industrial and typing training programs were added to The Lighthouse's vocational programs to provide new employment opportunities for veterans who lost their sight in World War II.

1955 The Lighthouse relocated to a newly constructed facility at its current location on Roosevelt Road. Helen Keller dedicated the new building.

1957 The Low Vision Clinic opened its doors. The Development Center for Blind, Multi-Disabled Children was founded to provide a structured day program for severely disabled children who could not attend public schools. The Birth-to-Three Family Intervention Program was initiated as an expansion of the Development Center in order to provide early intervention services to infants, toddlers and their families.

1974-75 The Lighthouse was expanded to add space for vocational evaluation, word processing training, information and referral services and a program to assist people who are deaf-blind.

1983 The Adaptive Technology Center was established to provide evaluation and training on computers and specialized adaptive technology for people who are blind or visually impaired.

1987 A satellite Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic opened in a north Chicago suburb.

1993 The $8 million renovation and expansion of The Lighthouse's facility was completed, increasing available space by two-thirds.

1994 The Strickfaden Assistive Devices Center opened.

1997 The Development Center for Blind and Multi-Disabled Children received the Special Education Teachers Organization School of the Year award.

1999 Chicago Lighthouse Industries celebrates the manufacturing and sale of it's 3 millionth clock.

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