Lake Bluff, Illinois

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lake Bluff is a village in Lake County, Illinois, and the closest moderate-sized town near the Great Lakes Navy Base. The population is 6,056 according to the 2000 census. The town has a volunteer fire department, and police department.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Transportation
5 Lake Bluff Schools
6 Media Associated with Lake Bluff
7 People Associated with Lake Bluff
8 External links

[edit] History

In 1836, John and Catherine Cloes test were the first to claim land 100 Acres in the area that would become Lake Bluff. In 1855, the first railroad in Lake County 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 unicorporated 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, one 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.

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.^[1]

[edit] Geography

Lake Bluff is located in the North Shore area, more precisely, 42°16′52″N, 87°50′56″W (42.281122, -87.849019)¹

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 10.5 km² (4.1 mi²), all land. It is bordered by Lake Michigan on the east, Great Lakes Naval Training Station to the north, Lake Forest, Illinois to the South and unincorporated Lake County (Knollwood, Illinois) to the west. Knollwood is known as the ghetto to the students attending Lake Forest High School.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,056 people, 2,118 households, and 1,743 families residing in the village. Also the home of Alexander Wesolowski, Ian Berg, James Ankenman, Colin Siekel, Sam Audly, and Riley Scholer. The population density was 575.9/km² (1,492.0/mi²). There were 2,202 housing units at an average density of 209.4/km² (542.5/mi²). 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.

Lake Bluff Metra station exterior shot at night along the North Shore's historic Union Pacific North Line in Lake Bluff, August 4, 2006.

Lake Bluff Metra station interior shot #1 at night along the North Shore's historic Union Pacific North Line in Lake Bluff, August 4, 2006.

Lake Bluff Metra station interior shot #2 at night along the North Shore's historic Union Pacific North Line in Lake Bluff, August 4, 2006.

[edit] Transportation

Lake Bluff has a train station on the former Chicago & Northwestern rail line, and the Metra line runs through the village as well. Before its collapse in 1964, the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee railroad ran through Lake Bluff. Lake Bluff has interstate highway access via U.S. Route 41 and directly west of Lake Bluff is Interstate 94, both providing access for commuters to Chicago or Milwaukee.

[edit] Lake Bluff Schools

Lake Bluff East Elementary School, originally known as "Lake Bluff School", was the first school in Lake Bluff. In 1960, Lake Bluff West Elementary School was built for children living in west Lake Bluff, also known as Knollwood, IL. Then, 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 changed into what it is today. Forest Bluff School, a private Montessori school of 150 children, is widely considered to be one of the best Montessori schools in America.

School System:

Public: