North Shore (Chicago)

Encyclopedia : N : NO : NOR : North Shore (Chicago)

Historically, North Shore referred to the area serviced by the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad along Lake Michigan's western shore between Chicago and Milwaukee. Today it refers to the suburbs north of Chicago along the lakefront. Now, as then, the area includes many of the most affluent communities in greater metropolitan Chicago. This area received much exposure in the 1980s as the setting of many teen movies, particularly those of writer/director John Hughes. Some of the most powerful people in the country live on Chicago's North Shore, one of the most affluent suburban areas in the United States.

A few inland suburbs -- e.g., Skokie, Glenview, Deerfield, Lincolnshire, Northfield and Northbrook -- are considered by some also to be part of the North Shore because of their contiguity and affluence. These suburbs are also home to various regional shopping destinations, including Northbrook Court and Old Orchard shopping centers. Other locals insist that the North Shore comprises only the older suburbs (fully or substantially developed before World War II) directly adjacent to the lake, not the younger (mostly developed after World War II), inland suburbs.

The North Shore is noteworthy for being one of the few remaining agglomerations of streetcar suburbs in the United States.

Contents

1 Early Years
2 Modern times
3 Communities on the North Shore
4 Places of interest
5 Movies That Take Place In The North Shore
6 References

Early Years

Many credit Walter S. Gurnee as the father of the North Shore

The North Shore was first settled after the signing of a 1833 treaty with local Native Americans. Thanks to Walter S. Gurnee, a two-term mayor of Chicago, the region began to flourish. He had made numerous investments along the western shore of Lake Michigan and was very influential in the area. With the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad he helped to create commuter train service to Chicago. This service let people move out of the city and into the surrounding area. While trains ran from Chicago all the way to Milwaukee, the term "North Shore" typically refers only to the communities between Waukegan and Chicago.

This area became popular with the affluent wanting to escape the undesirable parts of urban life, and the area grew just before and especially in the years just after World War II. Huge, lavish houses were built in the area. The largest North Shore suburb is Evanston, which is also closest to Chicago. Evanston is the home of Northwestern University.

Modern times

Today the North Shore continues to be popular with some of Chicagoland's most affluent residents. The area is a desirable place to live because of its relatively low crime rate and excellent schools.

Communities on the North Shore

Places of interest

Movies That Take Place In The North Shore

References

Ebner, Michael H. Creating Chicago’s North Shore. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1988.

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