Lake Bluff, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Lake Bluff is a village in Lake County
, Illinois
. It is the closest moderate-sized town near the Great Lakes Navy Base
and is North of Lake Forest
. The population is 6,056 according to the 2000 census
. The town has a police department and volunteer fire department.
was completed between Chicago
and Waukegan. When the railroad depot was built in Lake Bluff, the land became known as Rockland; although the village is no longer known by that name, there is still a Rockland Road in the unincorporated section of Lake Bluff, Knollwood
. The area had previously been known as the Dwyer Settlement, and Oak Hill. The Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Association was formed and the little settlement of Rockland was renamed "Lake Bluff." The Association planned a resort similar to the Chautauqua
movement in the East, that would provide not only religious activities but also social, cultural, educational, and recreational programs. In 1895, Lake Bluff ensured its future as a suburb and incorporated as a Village. Charles Trusdell, the first Village President, built his home at 115 East Center Avenue. The East School opened in September 1895. In 1904, the brick railroad station was erected, and in 1905 the present Village Hall was built.
Lake Bluff also played a major role in alcohol smuggling during Prohibition
. Chicago crime boss Al Capone
brought shipments of alcohol from Canada, down Lake Michigan, to the shores of Lake Bluff to saturate the streets of Chicago.
Knollwood, an unincorporated residential neighborhood west of Lake Bluff but within Lake Bluff's park and school districts, made unsuccessful petitions for annexation in 1978, 1982, and 1996.
Every year the residents hold a "Ghost Walk" around Halloween to celebrate their haunted history. This includes a group tour of the town lead by a resident dressed as a ghoul who tells stories about creepy occurrences in the past.
area, more precisely, 42°16′52"N 87°50′56"W (42.281122, -87.849019)
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²), all of it land. It is bordered by Lake Michigan
on the east, Great Lakes Naval Training Station and unincorporated Lake County (Arden Shores) to the north, Lake Forest
, Illinois
to the South and unincorporated Lake County (Knollwood
, Illinois
) to the west.
of 2000, there were 6,056 people, 2,118 households, and 1,743 families residing in the village. The population density
was 1,492.0 people per square mile (575.9/km²). There were 2,202 housing units at an average density of 542.5 per square mile (209.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.29% White, 0.51% African American, 0.03% Native American, 3.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.
There were 2,118 households out of which 45.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.3% were married couples
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the village the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $114,521, and the median income for a family was $124,674. Males had a median income of $93,794 versus $50,352 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $54,824. 1.1% of the population and 0.7% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 0.6% are under the age of 18 and 0.0% are 65 or older.
and directly west of Lake Bluff is Interstate 94
, both providing access for commuters to Chicago
or Milwaukee.
During the summer of 2010, a wild turkey began to inhabit the corner of Green Bay and Rt. 176, capturing the hearts of the local residents and inspiring a book called The Town Turkey. The following year, another wild turkey was spotted on Route 176.
(Formerly the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company) runs through Lake Bluff. The Union Pacific line is currently used by the Metra
commuter rail agency, providing access to Chicago and Kenosha
, Wisconsin
. Although not a passenger rail line, the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad has trackage in Lake Bluff as well.
. In 1967, Lake Bluff Central Elementary School was constructed for students in north Lake Bluff. In the 1970s, West School was shut down, and held many other titles, and the whole system moved from geographic centers to grade/specific attendance centers. In April 2007, a referendum passed by only 22 votes to build a new school. In a land swap with the park district, District 65 acquired land adjacent to the old Central School and gave up land adjacent to the old West School. West School was sold in May 2007 for approximately 1 million dollars, which was also the minimum bid for the property. The new Lake Bluff Elementary School (grades k-5th) opened on September 28, 2009. Additions and remodeling were also made to the Lake Bluff Middle School (grades 6-8). East School held its final classes through September 2009. The cost of the new Lake Bluff Elementary School was approximately $20 million and is 82000 square feet (7,618 m²).
School System:
Public:
Private:
Defunct:
Lake County, Illinois
Lake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. It is the closest moderate-sized town near the Great Lakes Navy Base
Naval Station Great Lakes
Naval Station Great Lakes is the home of the United States Navy's only boot camp, located near the city of North Chicago, Illinois, in Lake County. Important tenant commands include the Recruit Training Command, Training Support Center and Navy Recruiting District Chicago...
and is North of Lake Forest
Lake Forest, Illinois
Lake Forest is an affluent city located in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The city is south of Waukegan along the shore of Lake Michigan, and is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the North Shore. Lake Forest was founded around Lake Forest College and was laid out as a town in...
. The population is 6,056 according to the 2000 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
. The town has a police department and volunteer fire department.
History
In 1836, John and Catherine Cloes were the first to claim land, 100 acre (0.404686 km²) in the area that would become Lake Bluff. In 1855, the first railroad in Lake CountyLake County, Illinois
Lake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
was completed between Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Waukegan. When the railroad depot was built in Lake Bluff, the land became known as Rockland; although the village is no longer known by that name, there is still a Rockland Road in the unincorporated section of Lake Bluff, Knollwood
Knollwood, Illinois
Knollwood is an unincorporated census-designated place in Lake County, Illinois. It is located within Shields Township and Libertyville Township. Knollwood shares a postal code with neighboring village Lake Bluff. Knollwood residents are served by Lake Bluff School District 65, Lake Bluff Park...
. The area had previously been known as the Dwyer Settlement, and Oak Hill. The Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Association was formed and the little settlement of Rockland was renamed "Lake Bluff." The Association planned a resort similar to the Chautauqua
Chautauqua
Chautauqua was an adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with...
movement in the East, that would provide not only religious activities but also social, cultural, educational, and recreational programs. In 1895, Lake Bluff ensured its future as a suburb and incorporated as a Village. Charles Trusdell, the first Village President, built his home at 115 East Center Avenue. The East School opened in September 1895. In 1904, the brick railroad station was erected, and in 1905 the present Village Hall was built.
Lake Bluff also played a major role in alcohol smuggling during Prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
. Chicago crime boss Al Capone
Al Capone
Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone was an American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the "Capones", was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early...
brought shipments of alcohol from Canada, down Lake Michigan, to the shores of Lake Bluff to saturate the streets of Chicago.
Knollwood, an unincorporated residential neighborhood west of Lake Bluff but within Lake Bluff's park and school districts, made unsuccessful petitions for annexation in 1978, 1982, and 1996.
Every year the residents hold a "Ghost Walk" around Halloween to celebrate their haunted history. This includes a group tour of the town lead by a resident dressed as a ghoul who tells stories about creepy occurrences in the past.
Geography
Lake Bluff is located in the North ShoreNorth Shore (Chicago)
The North Shore is a term that refers to the generally affluent suburbs north of Chicago, Illinois bordering the shore of Lake Michigan.- History :Europeans settled the area sparsely after an 1833 treaty with local Native Americans...
area, more precisely, 42°16′52"N 87°50′56"W (42.281122, -87.849019)
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²), all of it land. It is bordered by Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
on the east, Great Lakes Naval Training Station and unincorporated Lake County (Arden Shores) to the north, Lake Forest
Lake Forest, Illinois
Lake Forest is an affluent city located in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The city is south of Waukegan along the shore of Lake Michigan, and is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the North Shore. Lake Forest was founded around Lake Forest College and was laid out as a town in...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
to the South and unincorporated Lake County (Knollwood
Knollwood, Illinois
Knollwood is an unincorporated census-designated place in Lake County, Illinois. It is located within Shields Township and Libertyville Township. Knollwood shares a postal code with neighboring village Lake Bluff. Knollwood residents are served by Lake Bluff School District 65, Lake Bluff Park...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
) to the west.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,056 people, 2,118 households, and 1,743 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,492.0 people per square mile (575.9/km²). There were 2,202 housing units at an average density of 542.5 per square mile (209.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.29% White, 0.51% African American, 0.03% Native American, 3.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.
There were 2,118 households out of which 45.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.7% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the village the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $114,521, and the median income for a family was $124,674. Males had a median income of $93,794 versus $50,352 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $54,824. 1.1% of the population and 0.7% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 0.6% are under the age of 18 and 0.0% are 65 or older.
Road
Lake Bluff has Interstate Highway access via U.S. Route 41U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
and directly west of Lake Bluff is Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
, both providing access for commuters to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
or Milwaukee.
During the summer of 2010, a wild turkey began to inhabit the corner of Green Bay and Rt. 176, capturing the hearts of the local residents and inspiring a book called The Town Turkey. The following year, another wild turkey was spotted on Route 176.
Rail
Until its bankruptcy in 1964, the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee interurban railroad made a stop in Lake Bluff. As of 2007, the Union Pacific RailroadUnion Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
(Formerly the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company) runs through Lake Bluff. The Union Pacific line is currently used by the Metra
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
commuter rail agency, providing access to Chicago and Kenosha
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Although not a passenger rail line, the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad has trackage in Lake Bluff as well.
Education
Lake Bluff East Elementary School, originally known as "Lake Bluff School", was the first school in Lake Bluff. In 1963, Lake Bluff West Elementary School was built for children living in west Lake Bluff, also known as Knollwood, IllinoisKnollwood, Illinois
Knollwood is an unincorporated census-designated place in Lake County, Illinois. It is located within Shields Township and Libertyville Township. Knollwood shares a postal code with neighboring village Lake Bluff. Knollwood residents are served by Lake Bluff School District 65, Lake Bluff Park...
. In 1967, Lake Bluff Central Elementary School was constructed for students in north Lake Bluff. In the 1970s, West School was shut down, and held many other titles, and the whole system moved from geographic centers to grade/specific attendance centers. In April 2007, a referendum passed by only 22 votes to build a new school. In a land swap with the park district, District 65 acquired land adjacent to the old Central School and gave up land adjacent to the old West School. West School was sold in May 2007 for approximately 1 million dollars, which was also the minimum bid for the property. The new Lake Bluff Elementary School (grades k-5th) opened on September 28, 2009. Additions and remodeling were also made to the Lake Bluff Middle School (grades 6-8). East School held its final classes through September 2009. The cost of the new Lake Bluff Elementary School was approximately $20 million and is 82000 square feet (7,618 m²).
School System:
Public:
- Lake Bluff Elementary School (KindergartenKindergartenA kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
through 5th grade) - Lake Bluff Middle SchoolLake Bluff Middle SchoolLake Bluff Middle School is located in east Lake Bluff, Illinois and is a part of school district 65 . It was established in 1955. The school is divided into the Sixth grade, Seventh grade, and Eighth grade. The Middle School feeds into Lake Forest High School, as Lake Bluff does not have a High...
(6th grade through 8th grade) - (Lake Bluff high school students attend Lake Forest High SchoolLake Forest High School (Illinois)Lake Forest High School, or LFHS, is a public four-year high school located in Lake Forest, Illinois, a North Shore suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is the only school of Lake Forest Community High School District 115, which serves the communities of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff,...
in Lake Forest, IllinoisLake Forest, IllinoisLake Forest is an affluent city located in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The city is south of Waukegan along the shore of Lake Michigan, and is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the North Shore. Lake Forest was founded around Lake Forest College and was laid out as a town in...
)
Private:
- Forest Bluff School (Montessori; Ages 18 months through 8th grade)
Defunct:
- Lake Bluff West Elementary School
Media Associated with Lake Bluff
- The comedy film A WeddingA WeddingA Wedding is a 1978 black comedy film directed by Robert Altman, starring Carol Burnett, Lillian Gish, Geraldine Chaplin, Vittorio Gassman, Mia Farrow, Lauren Hutton, Craig Richard Nelson, Pam Dawber, Desi Arnaz, Jr., Paul Dooley, Dennis Christopher, and Howard Duff...
was filmed almost entirely in Lake Bluff, near the border between Lake Bluff and the Great Lakes Naval Facility. - The Academy Award winning film Ordinary PeopleOrdinary PeopleOrdinary People is a 1980 American drama film that marked the directorial debut of Robert Redford. It stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch and Timothy Hutton....
was filmed mostly in neighboring Lake Forest and nearby Fort Sheridan and Highland Park, although some scenes were filmed in Lake Bluff. - Ray BradburyRay BradburyRay Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
chose Lake Bluff as the location of his short story The Lake (1944).
Notable residents
- Philip Danforth ArmourPhilip Danforth ArmourPhilip Danforth Armour, Sr. was an American businessman who founded Armour and Company, an American meatpacking firm.-Biography:...
, founder of Armour and CompanyArmour and CompanyArmour & Company was an American slaughterhouse and meatpacking company founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1867 by the Armour brothers, led by Philip Danforth Armour. By 1880, the company was Chicago's most important business and helped make the city and its Union Stock Yards the center of the...
meatpacking firm - Andrew BirdAndrew BirdAndrew Bird is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.- Early life and the Bowl of Fire :...
, musician - Patrick MannellyPatrick MannellyPatrick Mannelly is an American football long snapper for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He was originally selected with the 36th pick of the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft out of Duke University.-High school years:...
, long snapper for the Chicago Bears - Albert L. Marsh, inventor and metallurgist
- Richard MarxRichard MarxRichard Noel Marx is an American adult contemporary and pop/rock singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Endless Summer Nights", "Right Here Waiting", "Now and Forever", and "Hazard"...
, singer and songwriter - Mark MorettiniMark MorettiniMark Morettini is an American actor. He is most known for the role of Correctional Officer Rizzo Green on the TV series Prison Break.-Biography:Morettini was born and raised in East Providence, Rhode Island...
, actor - John PaxsonJohn PaxsonJohn MacBeth Paxson is a retired American basketball player. He is currently the VP of Basketball Operations of the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls.-High school career:...
, General Manager for the Chicago Bulls - Rob PelinkaRob PelinkaRobert Todd Pelinka, Jr. is an American lawyer, National Basketball Association sports agent and former college basketball player from Lake Bluff, Illinois . He is best known as Kobe Bryant's agent and President and CEO of The Landmark Sports Agency, LLC...
, former University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
basketball player and sports agentSports agentA sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
for Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school... - Tommy Rees (American football), quarterback for Notre Dame
- Cynthia RhodesCynthia RhodesCynthia Rhodes is an American actress, singer and dancer most noted for her roles in Dirty Dancing, Flashdance and Staying Alive.- Career :...
, dancer and actress - Phil RosenthalPhil RosenthalPhil Rosenthal is the lead business columnist for the Chicago Tribune. He joined the newspaper as its media columnist in the spring of 2005, and was promoted in June 2011...
, Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
columnist - Martha SleeperMartha SleeperMartha Sleeper was a silent film comedienne of the 1920s and Broadway actress of the 1940s.-Family:Martha Sleeper reputedly spent her first years on a sheep ranch in Wyoming. Her father, William B. Sleeper, was an official of the Keith-Albee-Orpheum vaudeville circuit in New York City...
, silent film and BroadwayBroadway theatreBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
actress - Brian UrlacherBrian UrlacherBrian Keith Urlacher is an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He attended the University of New Mexico, where he was one of the school's most decorated athletes. In addition to setting multiple university records, Urlacher earned consideration for the...
, linebacker for the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Casey UrlacherCasey UrlacherCasey Urlacher is a former American football defensive tackle/offensive tackle who played for the Chicago Rush and the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League. He may most notably be recognized as the younger brother of Brian Urlacher.-Early life:Casey was born to Brad and Lavoyda Urlacher in...
, brother of Brian Urlacher and Arena Football League player