Long regarded as a prize jewel in the western suburbs, River Forest is admired for its consistently upscale, affluent neighborhoods lined with many elegant, pristine estates. Located just ten miles west of Chicago, this quiet, established suburb has always been known for its well-heeled residents.
River Forest has always enjoyed some of the highest property values in the Chicago area.
Up until the 1830's, the Ojibwa, Menominee and Pottawatomie Native American tribes populated the River Forest area. The establishments of a steam-powered sawmill on the DesPlaines River in 1831, and later settlers marked the settlement of what was then called Noyesville. The thick forests, river location and fertile land were conducive to farming and a plank road was established on what is now Lake Street. The opening of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad in the 1840's helped to speed the growth.
Henry Quick from Harlem, New York settled the eastern area and named it after his hometown, while David Thatcher established the western area, naming if after his family name. The community grew over the years, and even more so after the Chicago fire in 1871. With the temperance movement, River Forest petitioned to be incorporated from the many Harlem (now Forest Park) saloon keepers. Later, town officials approved the license for two saloons, and funded many city improvements with the profits. With bricked streets, phone service, waterworks, electric street lights and more, River Forest grew from a population of 1,000 in 1930 to 8,829 in 1930. Two colleges, Concordia and Rosary (now named Dominican) were established and remain prominent in the community today.
River Forest has consistently received national attention for its top rated elementary and middle schools. They share the academically acclaimed Oak Park-River Forest High School with eastern neighborhood, Oak Park. A number of private, religiously affiliated schools such as Trinity girls' Catholic high school are also in River Forest.
Famous residents of River Forest include Harry Potter director, Christopher Columbus and radio commentator Paul Harvey. Bordered to the east by the miles long band of protected Forest Preserves, River Forest will always have a highly desirable presence of nature despite its convenient location to the city. The Forest Preserves are celebrated and many enjoy walking the trails and visiting the popular Trailside Museum, a sanctuary for native animals and birds found in the forest preserve, including owls, eagles, turtles, snakes and more.
Lake Street is home to many charming flower shops, upscale cigar stores, spas and other shopping. The newer River Forest Community Center offers excellent after school programs and has a bus service that transports children directly from school for supervised programming. River Forest has many handsome older churches; some established in the early days when the founding fathers donated the land for their development. Today, River Forest is sought out by families who desire an affluent suburb that is conservative and sophisticated.
