Highland Park Illinois Real Estate

Highland Park Illinois Web Site

Highland Park, Illinois
By Julie Farby

Highland Park is a dynamic city in Lake County, Illinois, geographically situated along five miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, just 26 miles north of downtown Chicago. This lakefront community boasts many natural amenities, including ravines, lakeshore and trees, as well as lovely homes with distinct architectural and historic character, in styles ranging from Frank Lloyd Wright to classic Victorian. Stretching west from the lake, Highland Park’s city limits extend to Deerfield, with Glencoe to the south and Lake Bluff, Bannockburn, Highwood, and Lake Forest to the north. According to Wikipedia.org, “Highland Park is one of several towns on the North Shore of Chicago characterized by its affluence and its large Jewish population,” and as of the 2000 US census, is home to some 31,365 residents.

According to the Encyclopedia of Chicago, “the city of Highland Park incorporated with about 600 residents, a school, a hotel, and a religious association in March 1869—and purchase or public consumption of alcohol was prohibited.” In 1887, residents supported investment in a public library, and annexed the village of Ravinia, south of Highland Park, in 1899. By the turn of the century, Highland Park's population was 2,806, and socially, if not economically diverse. “Institutions such as the Gads Hill Summer Settlement House encampment, the Railroad Men's Home, and Wildwood, a resort for German-Jewish families excluded from suburban country clubs, attested to this growing diversity.” And, unlike many of its suburban neighbors, Highland Park welcomed a sizable Jewish population after World War II.

The city experienced two growth spurts—in the 1920s, when the population grew by 98 percent to 12,203—and in the 1950s, when it leapt 52 percent to 25,532. Careful planning has protected the area's appeal by promoting its village character and building on its strengths of private and public amenities.

Today, Highland Park is a progressive community which offers both residents and guests a vast array of cultural and recreational opportunities. The Ravinia Music Festival is one such legacy. Situated at the “southern end of the city, on more than 36 acres of beautifully landscaped and wooded land,” Ravinia Festival is Highland Park’s world-class, year-round venue of the performing arts. In fact, Ravinia has been attracting music lovers from throughout Chicagoland and around the world since 1899, and has hosted some of the biggest names in classical and popular music, including performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. According to the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, “Highland Park’s business community is diverse and growing. Today, Highland Park is home to more than 1,000 businesses. The central business district—commonly referred to as the North Shore’s "Magnificent Mile"—is filled with shops and boutiques that offer personal service and a unique selection of merchandise.”

The downtown business district is anchored by Port Clinton Square, a thriving retail and office development which houses specialty shops, and restaurants. Also located in the heart of downtown Highland Park is the recently constructed Renaissance Place, whose “upscale specialty retail, delightful dining and a five-screen fine arts theatre,” has fast become the choice destination for residents and guests looking for the best Highland Park has to offer.

According to the Highland Park website, “Nationally and regionally honored schools and an impressive library offering more than 190,000 volumes and 14,000 audiovisual materials provide residents quality educational and cultural resources.” In fact, this All America City has received two national volunteerism awards, earned a Presidential award for Excellence in Education, and has been cited eight times as a Tree City, USA. The city has also received gold medals for its Park District--which maintains about 600 acres of parklands, including three parks located on Lake Michigan. The community enjoys an indoor ice rink facility, many excellent tennis courts, and racquet ball courts, as well as the beautiful 96 acre Heller Nature Preserve.

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