North Shore Chicago

The suburban residential area running north above Chicago along

They are the suburban jewels that crown one of the world's premier cities. Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff: together, they comprise the North Shore of Chicago, a social registry of eight communities that serve as a genteel enclave of affluence, culture, and high society. Historian Michael H. Ebner explains the origins and evolution of the North Shore as a distinctive region. At the same time, he tells the paradoxical story of how these suburbs, with their common heritage, mutual values, and shared aspirations, still preserve their distinctly separate identities. Embedded in this history are important lessons about the uneasy development of the American metropolis.

A privileged view of private gardens along the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago's Gold Coast. Ben Lenhardt, an avid gardener and preservationist, explores the rich tradition of gardening along the shore of Lake Michigan from Evanston to Lake Bluff. This area, which includes Winnetka, Highland Park, and Lake Forest, is one of the most affluent in the United States, and the gardens are verdant retreats, lushly planted and meticulously maintained. Twenty-five gardens are included, organized according to their design--classic, naturalistic, country, and experimental. Lenhardt's authoritative and engaging descriptions, based on detailed interviews with the owners, are complemented by vivid images by noted landscape photographer Scott Shigley.

Scots helped found Lake Forest, and hundreds of native-born Scots settled there. The Scottish influence is evident in town names along Chicago's North Shore like Glencoe, Bannockburn, Milburn, and Dundee. The Keith family theater chain became RKO Studios with Scots-born J.J. Murdock as president. James Simpson was CEO of Marshall Field and Company and oversaw the building of the Merchandise Mart. After Simpson, a series of Scots ran Fields: John McKinlay, James McKinsey, and Hughston McBain. Scots partnered to form Carson Pirie & Scott. They also founded Douglas and Stuart Oats, which became Quaker Oats. Hugh Robertson was president of the Zenith Corporation, and the Armour family operated one of the largest meatpacking companies in the world. Only slightly smaller was Wilson Meats, which later spun off Wilson Sporting Goods. This book tells the story of these Scots and many others.

Driving north from Chicago opens up the wonderland known as the North Shore, a string of remarkable suburban areas, each with its own story and yet all bound together by rail lines, highways, and a similar background. While most of the area is known for its tree-lined streets, large, single-family homes, and quaint downtowns, hidden along the way are unusual sites and spots that elicit responses like, "Wow, I didn't know that was there." Glimpse the exquisite beauty of Louis Comfort Tiffany's windows. Bask in the natural beauty of Lake Michigan, then learn about the site of one of the worst marine disasters in that same lake. Know about the nation's largest train robbery? You will now. Explore the locations of a Native American Potawatomi settlement, a now-decommissioned US Army base originally designed to "protect" Chicago from labor unrest, and a newly risen neighborhood retrieved from land formerly housing a US Naval Air Station. Discover the story of the ghost who haunts one town's city hall or find the home of the man who "truly" invented the telephone--and it wasn't Alexander Graham Bell. Hop in the car, grab a lunch of famous hot dogs, pancakes, or burgers, and start your journey with Secret Chicago North Shore to discover the different, the weird, and the obscure. Enjoy the ride.

In this deluxe, all color pictorial, Russ Porter chronicles his 50-year-old coverage of these two interurban stalwarts in more than 220 beautiful, previously-unpublished color photographs. The North Shore originated in 1894 as a single-track Waukegan street car line, eventually running from downtown Chicago to Milwaukee in 2 hours, 40 minutes, with 30 trains a day each way. Some of the more famous trains the line operated were the Electroliners. Introduced in 1941, they were considered some of the finest interurbans ever constructed in North America. The line was abandoned in 1963 for economic reasons. Russ covers the trains, facilities and terminals of both lines in four color photography. The South Shore, America’s last interurban, still operates between downtown Chicago and South Bend, Indiana, and continues to haul passengers as well as freight. Begun in 1908 as the Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend Railway, the line was originally built to high engineering standards and later rebuilt by Samuel Insull. Over the years the South Shore has been noted for its street-running, its orange cars made by Niles, Standard, Kuhlman and Pullman, and its unique 273-ton Little Joes, among the largest electric locomotives ever made.

As late as 1963, it was possible to board high-speed electric trains on Chicago's famous Loop "L" that ran 90 miles north to Milwaukee. This was the Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad, commonly known as the North Shore Line. It rose from humble origins in the 1890s as a local streetcar line in Waukegan to eventually become America's fastest interurban under the visionary management of Midwest utilities tycoon Samuel Insull. The North Shore Line, under Insull, became a worthy competitor to the established steam railroads. Hobbled by the Great Depression, the road fought back in 1941 with two streamlined, air-conditioned, articulated trains called Electroliners, which included dining service. It regained its popularity during World War II, when gasoline and tires were rationed, but eventually, it fell victim to highways and the automobile. The North Shore Line had intercity rail, commuter rail, electric freight, city streetcars, and even buses. It has been gone for nearly 60 years, but it will always remain the Road of Service.