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River Forest, IL

Frequently asked questions

River Forest, IL

River Forest is a suburban village adjacent to Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Two universities make their home in River Forest, Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago. The village is closely tied to the larger neighboring community of Oak Park. There are significant architectural designs located in River Forest such as the Winslow House by Frank Lloyd Wright. River Forest has a railroad station with service to Chicago on Metra's Union Pacific West Line.

River Forest lies along the Des Plaines River to the west and is bordered by Illinois Route 43 to the east and Illinois Route 64 to the north. Along with the Des Plaines River, much of the western boundary of River Forest consists of the Thatcher Woods forest preserve of Cook County and the Des Plaines River Trail. According to the 2010 census, River Forest has a total area of 2.482 square miles (6.43 km²), of which 2.48 square miles (6.42 km²) (or 99.92%) is land and 0.002 square miles (0.01 km²) (or 0.08%) is water.

The Native American history of the area is closely tied to the Des Plaines River and includes Menominee and Chippewa settlements near what is now the Desplaines Avenue and Roosevelt Road forest preserves of Cook County. The Menominees would eventually be driven out by the Potowatomi Nation in 1810. The establishment of a steam sawmill on the east bank of the Des Plaines River in 1831, and the proximity to Chicago, were some of the reasons that attracted non-indigenous settlers to the area. In 1842, the first planked road in River Forest, now Lake Street (Chicago), was created, and would eventually connect to the Lake Street extending into downtown Chicago. In 1848 the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad completed construction of tracks westward from Chicago, and train service commenced in January 1849. The G&CU was later absorbed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway in 1859 and the C&NW was consolidated into the Union Pacific Railroad in 1995. This line, now called the Union Pacific West Line between Chicago and Elburn, Illinois is a busy commuter service, jointly operated by Union Pacific and Metra.

Health and wellness are paramount in River Forest, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Rush Oak Park Hospital stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the River Forest Park District offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include FIT4MOM, Jazzercise, and River Forest Health & Wellness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around River Forest, such as the Trailside Museum of Natural History and Hal Tyrrell Museum and Thatcher Woods Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in River Forest, IL are Thatcher Woods, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, and Historic Pleasant Home.

Population: 11,794 (2020). ZIP Code: 60305. Area code: 708. Elevation: 615 ft (187 m). Area: 2.48 sq mi (6.43 km²).

FAQs

Is River Forest, IL a good place to live?

River Forest is a suburb of Chicago with a population of 11,568. River Forest is in Cook County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in River Forest offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In River Forest, there are a lot of parks.

What is River Forest, IL is known for?

River Forest occupies two and a half square miles in western Cook County near its sister community of Oak Park. Located along the eastern bank of the Des Plaines River, River Forest is noted for its many elegant houses designed and constructed at the turn of the century by, among others, Frank Lloyd Wright. The character of this era remains apparent and appreciated today, as River Forest enjoys some of the highest property values in the Chicago area.

Is River Forest, IL a suburb of Chicago?

River Forest, village, Cook County, northeastern Illinois, U.S. A residential suburb of Chicago, River Forest lies on the Des Plaines River, about 12 miles (19 km) west of the city’s downtown. A sawmill built on the riverbank in 1831 drew settlers to the area. The community was temporarily known as Thatcher for David C. Thatcher, an influential early settler.

Sources

River Forest, Illinois - Wikipedia

Village of River Forest 

Rush Oak Park Hospital

River Forest Park District

FIT4MOM

Jazzercise 

River Forest Health & Wellness

Trailside Museum of Natural History 

Hal Tyrrell Museum and Thatcher Woods Trail

Thatcher Woods

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

Historic Pleasant Home

Niche

Chicago History Encyclopedia

Britannica

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