Forest Park, Illinois
Forest Park is a village of 13,943 people in Cook County, Illinois, founded in 1907.
Why visit Forest Park
Townapedia lists 84 museums and landmarks, 67 parks and trails, 163 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 6 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Classic Cinemas North Riverside Luxury 6 Theatre, Concordia University Chicago, Haymarket Martyrs' Monument and Oak Park Conservatory.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85°F; January lows average 19°F.
Weather in Forest Park
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Forest Park
Forest Park (formerly Harlem) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, and a suburb of Chicago. The population was 14,339 at the 2020 census. The Forest Park terminal on the CTA Blue Line is the line's western terminus, located on the Eisenhower Expressway at Des Plaines Avenue. This makes it one of just two municipalities served by the Chicago "L" train network that does not directly border Chicago (the other being Wilmette).
From the Wikipedia article Forest Park, Illinois (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do6
Classic Cinemas North Riverside Luxury 6 Theatre
Cinema and theater · 1.5 mi
7501 Cermak Road, North Riverside
Concordia University Chicago
School · 2.2 mi
Private Lutheran university in River Forest, Illinois
Dominican University
School · 2.4 mi
Catholic university in River Forest, Illinois, affiliated with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters
Kiddieland Amusement Park
Monument and historic site · 3.0 mi
Former amusement park in Melrose Park, Illinois, United States
Museums and landmarks84
Haymarket Martyrs' Monument
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
Tomb in Forest Park, United States of America
Oak Park Conservatory
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
United States historic place
615 Garfield Street, Oak Park
Albert Soffel House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Historic house in Illinois, United States
American State Bank
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Historic bank building in Berwyn, Illinois, United States
Arcade Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic building in Riverside, Illinois, United States
Arthur Heurtley House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
House in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Illinois, United States
Arthur J. Dunham House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Historic house in Berwyn, Illinois
Austin Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Residential historic district in central Austin, Chicago, Illinois
Austin Town Hall Park Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Park and historic district in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois
Baptist Retirement Home
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Retirement home in Maywood, Illinois
Benda House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Historic house in Illinois, United States
Berwyn Health Center
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Historic public health clinic at 6600 W. 26th Street in Berwyn, Illinois
72 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds67
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55 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes163
Autre Monde Cafe
Restaurant · Mediterranean · 1.2 mi
6727 West Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
Tu-Th 17:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:30; Su 17:00-20:30
Di’vino
Restaurant · Mediterranean, Italian · 0.9 mi
1527 South Harlem Avenue, Forest Park
Mo-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr 16:00-22:00; Sa-Su 11:00-23:00
The Junction Diner
Restaurant · Diner, American · 0.8 mi
7401 Madison Street, Forest Park
Tu-Fr 11:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-20:00; Mo off
Crumb Crusher Cupcakes
Bakery · 1.7 mi
805 South Boulevard, Oak Park
Tu,We,Fr 10:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-15:00; Su 10:00-13:00
151 more on the map.
History
Before modern settlement, the area now known as Forest Park was inhabited by the Potawatomi and other Native American groups. In 1839, French trader Leon Bourassa purchased 160 acres of land where present day Forest Park lies. German immigrant Ferdinand Haase, bought 40 acres of that land from Leon Bourassa in 1851, which eventually became 240 acres. In 1856, John Henry Quick purchased the land, and named it Harlem after his hometown.
The community of Harlem was incorporated in 1884. However, was renamed to Forest Park, and officially incorporated under that name on April 17, 1907.
For much of its history, Forest Park was known as a "Village of cemeteries", with more dead "residents" than living ones; some figures estimate the ratio at 30:1, dead to alive. Forest Park cemeteries include Altenheim, Forest Home Cemetery (incorporating the German Waldheim Cemetery), Jewish Waldheim (producer Mike Todd is buried in Beth Aaron there), Woodlawn (including Showmen's Rest), and Concordia. Forest Home Cemetery is home to the famous Haymarket Martyrs' Monument.
From the History section of Forest Park, Illinois on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay1
Churches and places of worship55
Saint John's United Methodist Church
Church · United Methodist · 1.7 mi
1100 Ontario Street, Oak Park
Christ Episcopal Church
Church · Anglican · 1.4 mi
515 Franklin Avenue, River Forest
First Presbyterian Church
Church · Presbyterian · 1.5 mi
7551 Quick Avenue, River Forest
First United Church of Christ
Church · United Church Of Christ · 0.5 mi
Elgin Avenue, Forest Park
Shopping33
Gas and EV charging23
Schools, colleges and libraries74
Fenwick High School
School · Roman Catholic · 1.6 mi
505 Washington Boulevard, Oak Park
Healthcare29
Immediate Care of Oak Park
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.1 mi
1000 Madison Street, Oak Park
Map of Forest Park
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33°F | 19°F | 1.5 in |
| Feb | 37°F | 23°F | 1.5 in |
| Mar | 48°F | 32°F | 1.9 in |
| Apr | 60°F | 41°F | 3.6 in |
| May | 71°F | 52°F | 4.1 in |
| Jun | 81°F | 62°F | 4.0 in |
| Jul | 85°F | 68°F | 3.5 in |
| Aug | 83°F | 66°F | 4.0 in |
| Sep | 76°F | 59°F | 2.8 in |
| Oct | 63°F | 46°F | 3.5 in |
| Nov | 49°F | 35°F | 2.4 in |
| Dec | 38°F | 25°F | 1.8 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Chicago Midway Ap 72534 (7 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Cook County has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2024-09-20: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Floodng (Flood)
- 2023-11-20: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
- 2023-08-15: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2020-03-26: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2013-05-10: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 7 miles away.
- Berwyn 2 mi southeast, about 3 min by car
- Cicero 3 mi southeast, about 5 min by car
- Bellwood 3 mi west, about 5 min by car
- Brookfield 3 mi southwest, about 5 min by car
- Elmwood Park 4 mi north, about 6 min by car
- Chicago 7 mi east, about 11 min by car
- Elmhurst 7 mi west, about 11 min by car
- Burbank 9 mi south, about 14 min by car
- Bridgeview 9 mi south, about 14 min by car
- Bensenville 9 mi northwest, about 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Madison Street, Forest Park, Dennisyerger84, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Grave of Richard William Hoffman (1893–1975) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL 1, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Richard William Hoffman (1893–1975) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL 2, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Edward Ross Balchowsky (1916–1989) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of John G. Otten (1870–1905) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Harry Kelly (1871–1953) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Voltairine de Cleyre (1866–1912) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Graves of William Z. Foster (1881–1966), Raymond Hansbrough (1903–1950), Eugene Dennis (1904–1961), Jack Johnstone (1881–1942), Jack Stachel (1900–1965), and Esther Foster (died 1965) at Forest Home..., Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Eugene Dennis (1905–1961) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (1890–1964) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of William Gray Purcell (1880–1965) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Milo Smith Hascall (1829–1904) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Edwin Stapleton Conway (1850–1919) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Graves of Henry Warren Austin Sr. (1828–1889) and Henry Warren Austin (1864–1947) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Henry Warren Austin (1864–1947) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Grave of Philander Smith (1809–1882) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL 1, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Henry Warren Austin Sr. (1828–1889) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Philander Smith (1809–1882) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL 2, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Doris Batcheller Humphrey (1895–1958) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Graves of Clarence Edmonds Hemingway (1871–1928) and Grace Hall Hemingway (1872–1951) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Ashbel Steele (1794–1861) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Anson Tyler Hemingway (1844–1926) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Arno Voss (1821–1888) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- 19681201 02 CTA Congress L @ Forest Park.. (6525568421), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- United Ancient Order of Druids Monument at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL 1, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- United Ancient Order of Druids Monument at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL 2, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of Charles H. Chamberlin (1841–1894) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- United Ancient Order of Druids Monument at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL 3, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Grave of William Gustav Thon (1886–1953) at Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL, Nick Number, CC BY 4.0
- Forest Park station ground-level view (July 2023), AlphaBeta135, CC BY 4.0
- Forest Park CTA Blue Line, Zol87 from Chicago, Illinois, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Calvary Memorial Church Oak Park il, NessieVL, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Oak Park Il Unity Temple9, IvoShandor, CC BY 2.5
- Oak Park Il Conservatory1, IvoShandor, CC BY 2.5
- Austintownhallfront, Steven Kevil, Public domain
- Lynch, Timothy J House 2, Thshriver, CC BY-SA 3.0
- William Drummond House, Teemu08 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Oak Park Il Heurtley House4, IvoShandor, CC BY 2.5
- Harry H Nichols House 2012-09-05 1, JPSousa, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Arcade Building in 2011, partway through restoration - Riverside, IL, David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, Public domain
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