When the issue of Palos Heights’ incorporation came up in the 1950s, some people feared incorporation would raise taxes, as the new municipality would require additional revenues with regard to the township, and the township already levied taxes. Suspecting that a new municipality would be good for all kinds of businesses, Durward Fagan supported incorporation. His foresight paid off, literally, as he received the contract to pave 71^st Court.

Eventually, Fagan’s plant in Markham reached a sprawling 20 acres and included the first machine designed for the recycling of asphalt, many years before recycling became a hot topic – all this from an operation that began with a half-dozen men operating a portable, converted mortar mixer.

Upon retirement, Fagan was able to devote time to his other passions: woodworking, travel, and the restoration of antique automobiles. For many years, he operated an antique car museum at 162^nd and Western in Markham featuring cars he had himself restored. He continues to be very involved with the Palos United Methodist Church, and he is somewhat of a legend around town for the many and varied birdhouses he builds. For the occasion of his 100^th birthday on August 8^th, he built 72 birdhouses which he gave to families of the congregation.

- Durward Fagan, interviewed August 2011 by Public Services Librarian Bruce Sullivan