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Highland Park, Illinois
—  City  —
City of Highland Park, Illinois
City Hall (8678519504)
Highland Park City Hall
Location of Highland Park in Lake County, Illinois
Illinois in United States (US48)
Location of Illinois in the United States
Country United States
State Illinois
County Lake
Township Moraine, West Deerfield
Founded 1869
Government
 • Mayor Nancy Rotering
Area[1]
 • Total 12.28 sq mi (31.79 km2)
 • Land 12.24 sq mi (31.71 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Population (2010)
 • Total 29,763
 • Estimate (2019)[2] 29,515
 • Density 2,410.96/sq mi (930.89/km2)
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP Code(s) 60035, 60037
Area code(s) 847, 224
FIPS code 17-34722
Wikimedia Commons Highland Park, Illinois
Website cityhpil.com

Highland Park is a suburban city located in the southeastern part of Lake County, Illinois, United States, about 25 miles (40 km) north of downtown Chicago. As of the 2019 population estimate, the population was 29,515.[3] Highland Park is one of several municipalities located on the North Shore of the Chicago metropolitan area.

History[]

A traveler in the area in 1833 described visiting a village of bark-covered structures where he ate roasted corn with a chief named Nic-sa-mah at a site likely located south of present-day Clavey Road and east of the Edens Expressway.[4]

In the year 1847, two German immigrants, John Hettinger and John Peterman founded a town along Lake Michigan, which they called St. John's. Soon, the town was abandoned, due to questions regarding ownership of the land. Three years later, another German Immigrant, Jacob Clinton Bloom, founded Port Clinton, which happened to be just south of St. John's. Port Clinton was described by Elijah Middlebrook Haines as "one of the most promising villages in the city". In 1854, a lighthouse was built in Port Clinton, thanks to funding by the US Congress and sponsorships from Illinois representatives. Despite having a functioning lighthouse with a keeper, a pier, sawmill, and a plank road, Port Clinton did not have a train station in 1855. In 1860, Port Clinton stopped growing as a town, and the lighthouse was shutdown.[5]

In 1867, ten men purchased Highland Park for $39,198.70. They were the original stockholders of the Highland Park Building Company. Following construction of the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad, a depot was established at Highland Park and a plat, extending south to Central Avenue, was laid out in 1856.[6] At that point, Highland Park was settled on mostly scattered farms and undeveloped forested land.[5] Highland Park was established as a city on March 11, 1869, with a population of 500, and evolved from the two settlements of St. John and Port Clinton; St. John's Avenue and Port Clinton Square are named after the settlements.[5][7] Highland Park was named from its parklike setting at a lofty elevation relative to the lake, and was given its name from Walter S. Gurnee.[8] The town annexed the village of Ravinia in 1899.

From its establishment in 1869 until November 1, 1900, Highland Park was a "dry" community, in which the sale of alcoholic drinks were prohibited.[9]

Overview[]

Ward Willits House

The Willits House

Highland Park has several attractions including a downtown shopping district and the Ravinia Festival. Ravinia Festival is an open-air pavilion seating 3,200, which hosts classical, pop, jazz and latin concerts in the summers. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1936. Concert-goers can purchase seats in the covered pavilion or tickets to sit on the lawn. Many visitors arrive early and picnic on the lawn before and during concerts.[10] The festival is located in Ravinia District, originally an artists' colony, which still retains much of its early character and architecture.

Highland Park has several landmark structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places, notably the Willits House by Frank Lloyd Wright. In addition to several houses designed by Wright, the National Register lists homes designed by prominent architects including John S. Van Bergen, Howard Van Doren Shaw, Robert E. Seyfarth, and David Adler. Landscape architect Jens Jensen lived in Highland Park and designed a number of projects in the community that are listed on the register.

There are three public beaches in Highland Park: Rosewood Beach, Moraine Beach (part of which is available for off-leash dogs) and Park Avenue Beach (which also has a boating facility). Highland Park is also home to the North Shore Yacht Club.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.7 square kilometres (12.2 sq mi), of which 31.6 square kilometres (12.2 sq mi) is land and 0.1 square kilometres (0.039 sq mi), or 0.27%, is water.[11] Its geographic features include a 100-foot-high (30 m) bluff running along 6 miles (10 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline and deep, wooded ravines extending up to 1 mile (1.6 km) inland. Elevations range from 580 to 725 feet (180 to 221 m) above sea level.

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1880 1,154
1890 2,163 87.4%
1900 2,806 29.7%
1910 4,209 50.0%
1920 6,167 46.5%
1930 12,203 97.9%
1940 14,476 18.6%
1950 16,808 16.1%
1960 25,532 51.9%
1970 32,263 26.4%
1980 30,599 −5.2%
1990 30,575 −0.1%
2000 31,365 2.6%
2010 29,763 −5.1%
Est. 2019 29,515 [2] −5.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

As of the 2010 United States Census,[13] there were 29,763 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 91.05% White, 1.84% Black or African American, 2.9% Asian, 0.18% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.51% of some other race and 1.48% of two or more races. 7.28% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 31,365 people, 11,521 households, and 8,917 families living in the city. The population density was 2,537.5 people per square mile (979.8/km2). There were 11,934 housing units at an average density of 965.5/sq mi (372.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.20% White, 1.78% African American, 0.08% Native American, 2.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.46% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.90% of the population.

There were 11,521 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $100,967, and the median income for a family was $117,235. Males had a median income of $83,121 versus $41,175 for females. The per capita income for the city was $55,331. About 2.3% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government[]

Nancy-Campaign-Photo-original-685x1024

Incumbent mayor Nancy Rotering

The City of Highland Park is a council-manager government. The non-partisan City Council consists of seven members, including an elected mayor and six councilmembers, all elected at-large and serving staggered four-year terms. The current city council consists of:

Position Name First elected Term expires
Mayor Nancy Rotering 2011* 2023
Councilman Anthony Blumberg 2011 2023
Councilman Daniel Kaufman 2013 2021
Councilwoman Alyssa Knobel 2013 2021
Councilman Adam Stolberg 2017 2023
Councilwoman Kim Stone 2013 2021
Councilwoman Michelle Holleman 2015 2023

Politics[]

Highland Park is considered a Democratic stronghold. Highland Park voters overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, over Senator John McCain, 76.3%–23.1%.Template:Update inline Highland Park voters also tend to prefer Democrats in local races.

At the state level, Highland Park is a part of the 58th House District, represented by Bob Morgan (D-Highwood), and the 29th Senate District, represented by Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield). At the county level, the city is split between Districts 11 and 12, represented by former Highland Park City Councilman Paul Frank (D-Highland Park) and former Lake Forest Mayor Mike Rummel (R-Lake Forest), respectively.

Economy[]

The international headquarters of Solo Cup Company were previously located in Highland Park, before relocating to neighboring Lake Forest in 2009.

Transportation[]

Highland Park Metra 070915

Highland Park Metra station

The main highway in Highland Park is US-41, which connects Chicago to Milwaukee. Commuter rail is available at four Metra stations within city borders (Braeside, Ravinia Park, Ravinia, and Highland Park), as well as two in nearby Highwood (Highwood and Fort Sheridan) on the Union Pacific/North Line, which begins in Chicago and terminates in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Pace also offers several bus routes. Boat launch facilities are available along Lake Michigan. O'Hare International Airport is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) southwest.

Notable people[]

Highland Park is popular with professional athletes, as the Chicago Bears practice facility is in nearby Lake Forest. Several members of the championship Chicago Bulls of 1990s also live or lived in Highland Park including Michael Jordan,[15] Scottie Pippen,[16] Toni Kukoc,[17] B. J. Armstrong,[18] and GM Jerry Krause, thanks to its proximity to the team's practice facility in neighboring Deerfield.[19]

Among famous Highland Parkers are singer, songwriter, and producer Richard Marx grew up in Highland Park. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan currently resides in Highland Park and until March 2018 owned a tea shop in the Ravinia District named Madame Zuzu's.[20] National champion and Olympic medalist figure skater Jason Brown attended high school in Highland Park. Golden Globe-winning actress Rachel Brosnahan from Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel grew up in Highland Park[21] and attended Highland Park High School. Three-time Tony Award nominated actor Gary Sinise attended Highland Park High School and co-founded the Steppenwolf Theatre in neighboring Deerfield.[22]

Grace Slick, lead singer of Jefferson Airplane, was born in Highland Park, on October 31, 1939.

In popular culture[]

Cameron's House

Ben Rose House used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Highland Park is the location of the main characters' former home in the CBS drama The Good Wife.[23]

Highland Park was used for location shots for several movies written and directed by John Hughes in the 1980s including Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Weird Science, Sixteen Candles, Uncle Buck and Home Alone. Other popular films from the 1980s shot or partially set in Highland Park include Ordinary People, Risky Business,[24] and Lucas. Since 2000, Highland Park movies have included Kicking & Screaming and Shattered Memories of Love. In the film Shattered Glass, Stephen Glass, portrayed by actor Hayden Christensen, makes repeated reference to his family's residence in Highland Park as an indication of the high expectations they have for his career.

"Highland Park has the feel of a gated community without the actual gates," writes Vanity Fair, and has a tradition of "very clever minds who left to strike gold in Hollywood." The creators of the Revenge of the Nerds, Beethoven, and other films grew up in Highland Park.[25]

It also was the setting for the 2000/2001 Fox and PBS documentary show American High.

Education[]

North Shore School District 112 operates an early childhood center, eight elementary schools, and two middle schools.

Township High School District 113 operates Highland Park High School, as well as Deerfield High School in nearby Deerfield, Illinois.

Sister cities[]

See also[]

  • Danny Cunniff Park
  • Highland Park High School
  • Highland Park Public Library
  • Highland Park Hospital
  • Highland Park Presbyterian Church

References[]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_17.txt. 
  2. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html. 
  3. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html. 
  4. ^ Benton, Colbee Chamberlain (1957). A visitor to Chicago in Indian Days: "Journal to the 'Far-off West'". Chicago: Caxton Club. pp. 79. 
  5. ^ a b c Webster, Nancy. "Highland Park History: 1855". Chicago Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/highland-park/ct-xpm-2013-02-18-ct-tl-lk-0221-history-20130219-story.html. 
  6. ^ Place Names of Illinois. p. 161. 
  7. ^ Place Names of Illinois. p. 161. 
  8. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 83. https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA83. 
  9. ^ "By Popular Vote: Highland Park was Dry for 31 Years" (in en). 9 January 2020. https://patch.com/illinois/highlandpark/popular-vote-highland-park-was-dry-104-years. 
  10. ^ "Archived copy". http://northshoreviews.com/north-shore-communities/about-highland-park/. 
  11. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Highland Park city, Illinois". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1734722. 
  12. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  13. ^ "Highland Park, IL Population - Census 2010 and 2000 Interactive Map, Demographics, Statistics, Quick Facts - CensusViewer". http://censusviewer.com/city/IL/Highland+Park. 
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  15. ^ "2700 Point Dr, Highland Park, IL 60035 | MLS #09814087". https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2700-Point-Dr-Highland-Park-IL-60035/4902463_zpid/. 
  16. ^ Goldsborough, Bob. "Retired Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen lists Highland Park home for $2.8 million". https://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/elitestreet/ct-elite-street-highland-park-chicago-bull-scottie-pippen-0806-biz-20170802-story.html. 
  17. ^ "Isaacson: Kukoc right at home in Chicago". 9 June 2011. http://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=isaacson_melissa&id=6643046. 
  18. ^ TRIBUNE, Bob Goldsborough, SPECIAL TO THE. "Ex-Bull relists 12-room house". https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2009-10-11-0910080485-story.html. 
  19. ^ Byrne, John. "Bulls open West Side practice facility". https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-bulls-west-side-practice-facility-20140912-story.html. 
  20. ^ "Billy Corgan is closing Madame Zuzu's, his Highland Park tea shop". https://www.timeout.com/chicago/news/billy-corgan-is-closing-madame-zuzus-his-highland-park-tea-shop-030818. 
  21. ^ Swartz, Tracy. "How Rachel Brosnahan's Highland Park roots influenced her 'Mrs. Maisel' role". https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chicagoinc/ct-ent-rachel-brosnahan-marvelous-mrs-maisel-20171127-story.html. 
  22. ^ "History | Steppenwolf Theatre". https://www.steppenwolf.org/ensemble/history/. 
  23. ^ "10 Ways 'The Good Wife' Gets Chicago Wrong". January 2013. http://www.chicagonow.com/little-kids-big-city/2013/01/10-ways-the-good-wife-gets-chicago-wrong/. 
  24. ^ Greg Dorn. "Highland Park remembers 'Risky Business' 30 years later". https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/highland-park/ct-xpm-2013-05-06-ct-tl-lk-0509-entertainment-20130506-story.html. 
  25. ^ Bissinger, Buzz (September 1998). "Shattered Glass". http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/1998/09/bissinger199809. 
  26. ^ a b c "Lake County, Illinois, CVB - Official Travel Site". http://www.visitlakecounty.org/internationalguide-sistercities.cfm. 

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