Measuring just one square mile, the city of Highwood is an enclave of Old World charm amidst North Shore suburbia.

Settled by many residents of Italian descent about fifty years ago, Highwood boasts more than 30 high-quality restaurants along Waukegan and Green Bay roads, its twin main streets.

Visitors also come to browse the ceramic tile, mom-and-pop groceries and other eclectic shops in downtown Highwood, which retains its Mediterranean flavor, despite the fact that the 5,000 residents of the city now claim many diverse heritages.

Located 28 miles north of Chicago, Highwood is affordable, in direct contrast to its North Shore neighbors. The average price in Highwood is right under $200,000, and there are brick homes in a variety of styles — Cape Cod, ranches, and bungalows.

Three-bedroom, one-bath homes sell for about $180,000, and homes that "need some work" sell for as low as $90,000. Larger, well-maintained homes are priced at $250,000 or more.

Although no large parcels of land have been available for new housing, many custom-built homes have popped up on the few vacant lots scattered along the quaint, narrow residential streets.

However, the land-locked status of Highwood changed in 1993 with the closing of Ft. Sheridan, the U.S. Army base. Highwood annexed roughly 295 acres of the former Army base and in 1997, development began on a mix of condominiums, townhouses, and single-family homes. Prices on the units will probably start in the low $200,000 range, he said, and range up to $1 million and more.

Included in the development are plans to restore some of the former barracks, officers quarters and one building used by General Patton.
The other portion of the army base will be annexed by the city of Highland Park, which lies directly south of Highwood.

"There will be municipal boundaries within the former base," Rooney said, "but the plan is for the development to be one large, seamless community."
With the development of Ft. Sheridan, school facility studies are underway to determine how many classrooms will be needed in the future.

Currently, Highwood houses one elementary school. Oak Terrace, which serves kindergarten through 5th grade students, garnered the "Excellence in Education" award from the federal Department of Education several years ago, according to Julie Olian, community relations assistant for the district.

The unique Old World nature of this city is likely to remain throughout the area's new developments. The city administration, is decidedly modern though, having established one of the first municipal home pages on the Web at http://highwood.il.us.

Other Points of Interest

• Village Map
• Village Website
• Recreation
• Highland Park High School Report Card
• Schools
• Library
• Chamber of Commerce
• Hospitals
• Places of worship