Nestled in the northern reaches of Evanston, the Highlands Evanston Lincolnwood neighborhood stands as a testament to generations of community spirit, quiet progress, and historic roots. Ask any longtime resident and they’ll tell you: there’s just something special about these tree-lined streets, the sturdy brick homes, and the sense of connection that lingers from one decade to the next. Let’s take a closer look at the history and heritage that define this beloved enclave.
The Origins: From Prairie to Suburb
Long before the first homes rose along Lincolnwood Drive and Harms Road, the land that would become Highlands Evanston Lincolnwood was a prairie brimming with wild grasses and native oaks. As the city of Evanston began expanding in the late 19th and early 20th centuries—especially with the arrival of the railroads—it wasn’t long before enterprising developers recognized the potential of this slightly elevated, open land on Evanston’s northwest edge.
The name “Highlands” is believed to refer both to the neighborhood’s topography (it sits at a slightly higher elevation compared to areas closer to Lake Michigan) and to its aspirations as a desirable, healthy place to settle. This rise in the landscape provided natural drainage, which made it particularly attractive for homebuyers eager to escape the denser, damper parts of the city.
Carving Out Lincolnwood: A Neighborhood’s Namesake
While many know Lincolnwood today as an adjacent village further south, the “Lincolnwood” moniker in Evanston’s Highlands speaks to a time when names were as much a statement as a wayfinding tool. After all, President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy loomed large in the imagination of Illinoisans, and naming subdivisions for the beloved president was a popular practice in the 1920s and 1930s as development raced northward out of Chicago.
Thus, the streets stretching west and north from Central Street—like Lincolnwood Drive, Grant Street, and the aptly-named Highlands—began to take shape. Developers touted the new “Highlands Evanston Lincolnwood” as a modern, innovative neighborhood, with custom brick homes, wide parkways, and proximity to both city amenities and green spaces.
Building a Community: Milestones and Growth
Through the 1940s and 50s, Highlands Evanston Lincolnwood came into its own as a haven for families. Key milestones include:
- Founding of Lincolnwood Elementary School: Built in 1925 at 2600 Colfax Street, the school quickly became a focal point for neighborhood life. Generations have learned, played, and grown within its halls, and its red-brick facade remains an iconic neighborhood landmark.
- Development of Parks and Green Spaces: At the heart of the neighborhood, Bent Park (2524 Cowper Ave) has long offered baseball fields, playgrounds, and open grass for picnics and play. The proximity to Perkins Woods, a remnant of Evanston’s original oak savanna just east of Ewing Avenue, connects Highlands residents to the area’s deep-rooted natural legacy.
- Architectural Character: From sturdy Colonial and Tudor Revivals along Princeton and Hartzell Streets to charming Cape Cods on Grant, this neighborhood has always attracted residents who value craftsmanship. Many homes built in the 1920s and 30s still stand, lovingly maintained and periodically updated but always echoing the solidity and optimism of their era.
Landmarks: Where History Endures
Ask a Highlands local for neighborhood touchstones, and these will surely top the list:
- Lincolnwood Elementary School: More than just a school, it has hosted community meetings, events, and even voter polling stations. Its enduring presence makes it a heart of the neighborhood.
- Bent Park: More than green space, it’s where soccer games, little league, summer picnics, and winter sledding have brought neighbors together for decades.
- The Highlands Fountain at Central and Lincolnwood: This historic stone fountain, installed in the 1930s, is a quiet reminder of the area’s early development and community pride.
Additionally, many of the original streetlights and parkway trees—planted in the 1920s as the neighborhood filled out—survive to this day, lending a sense of time and continuity to every stroll.
Evolution Through the Decades
While much of Highlands Evanston Lincolnwood retains its historic charm, the neighborhood hasn’t been immune to change:
- The Rise of Two-Car Families: As Evanston grew more suburban post-World War II, driveways and garages became standard. Some older homes have seen additions or modernizations that blend old and new.
- Diverse Newcomers: Starting in the 1970s, the neighborhood attracted families from a wider range of backgrounds—a microcosm of broader Evanston trends. Today, you’re just as likely to hear Spanish, Hindi, or Mandarin as English in Bent Park or at the nearby Levy Senior Center.
- Modern Amenities: The area’s proximity to Central Street businesses—iconic cafes and bakeries, quirky gift shops, and the beloved Spice House—means that while the neighborhood is residential at heart, it’s never far from vibrant urban life.
A Neighborhood That Endures
There is something deeply comforting about life in Highlands Evanston Lincolnwood. On summer evenings, the scent of barbecues drifts along Ashland Avenue. Children ride bikes under the ancient oaks and maples. Neighbors greet each other at block parties or gather for the annual Lincolnwood School fair.
The longstanding commitment to strong schools, green spaces, and civic engagement has preserved the soul of the neighborhood even as time has marched on. Whether you grew up here, arrived a decade ago, or are just discovering its quiet lanes for the first time, there’s a sense of welcome that never fades.
In Closing
Highlands Evanston Lincolnwood is much more than an address—it’s a narrative, woven from the hopes and hard work of past generations and alive with the promise of new traditions. Its history is visible in its architecture, parks, and in the shared stories of those who call it home. Take a walk down Grant Street or linger by the fountain at Central and Lincolnwood—you’ll see why people say there’s nowhere quite like the Highlands.