1835
The Kettlestrings farm
Joseph and Betty Kettlestrings, from Yorkshire, England, built a house near Lake Street and Harlem Avenue. The area was called Oak Ridge, Harlem and Kettlestrings Grove.
Source: Wikipedia: Oak Park, Illinois
Living in Oak Park, Illinois
A historic village about 8 miles west of the Chicago Loop, with Prairie School streets and three rail lines to the city.
01 — At a Glance
A historic village with Prairie School streets.
Oak Park was settled in 1835 and incorporated as a village in 1902, when it separated from Cicero. The 2020 census counted 54,583 residents. Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked here from 1889 to 1909, and historic preservation has been a village priority since 1972. The Green Line, the Blue Line and Metra all run to Chicago. ZIP codes are 60301 to 60304.
02 — History
The story of Oak Park.
A Yorkshire couple’s farm, a post office name and a young architect named Wright shaped Oak Park. A few chapters from the village’s past.
1850s
Naming Oak Park
Another Illinois post office already used Oak Ridge, so the new post office chose Oak Park. The settlement, and later the village, kept the name.
Source: Wikipedia: Oak Park, Illinois
1889–1909
Frank Lloyd Wright
Wright and his wife settled in Oak Park in 1889. He built his home and studio here and some of the first Prairie-style houses.
Source: Wikipedia: Oak Park, Illinois
1902
A village of its own
Oak Park separated from the town of Cicero and incorporated as a village in 1902.
Source: Wikipedia: Oak Park, Illinois
1905–1908
Unity Temple
Wright’s Unity Temple went up for the Unitarian congregation, and it still stands on Lake Street.
Source: Wikipedia: Oak Park, Illinois
03 — Education
A tradition of learning.
Oak Park Elementary School District 97 runs the grade schools, and Oak Park and River Forest High School serves the village and neighboring River Forest.
Boundaries follow the address. Confirm school assignment for each address with the district before you buy.
Search HomesPublic · PreK–8
Oak Park District 97
The village’s elementary and middle school district.
- Elementary and middle schools across the village
Public · Grades 9–12
Oak Park and River Forest High School
District 200 high school for both villages.
- Oak Park and River Forest High School
Source: Wikipedia: Oak Park, Illinois
04 — Lifestyle
Everyday life in Oak Park.
Architecture walks, theater and the arts district fill a typical Oak Park weekend.
Architecture
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Where Wright lived and worked for 20 years.
Unity Temple
Wright’s landmark church, built 1905 to 1908.
Prairie School streets
Homes by Wright, George W. Maher, John Van Bergen and E.E. Roberts.
Arts & Culture
Harrison Street Arts District
Galleries, shops and restaurants between Austin and Ridgeland.
Oak Park Festival Theatre
One of the village’s professional theater companies.
Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest
The orchestra shared with River Forest.
Commuter Access
CTA Green Line
The ‘L’ runs along the north side of downtown into the Loop.
CTA Blue Line
A second ‘L’ line along the south side of the village.
Metra UP West
The Oak Park station is downtown.
Source: Wikipedia: Oak Park, Illinois