Frankfort, Illinois
Frankfort is a village of 20,651 people in Cook County, Illinois, founded in 1879.
Why visit Frankfort
Townapedia lists 6 museums and landmarks, 49 parks and trails, 61 places to eat, 4 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include Emagine Cinemas and McGovney–Yunker Farmstead.
Weather in Frankfort
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Frankfort
Frankfort is a village in Will County and Cook County in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is a suburb of Chicago, about 28 miles (45 km) southwest of the city. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,296.
From the Wikipedia article Frankfort, Illinois (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do1
Museums and landmarks6
McGovney–Yunker Farmstead
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Frederick Sheer Three-Bay Threshing Barn 1847 - Burned
Monument and historic site · 2.4 mi
Parks, trails and playgrounds49
37 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes61
Aurelio's Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 0.7 mi
9901 Lincoln Highway, Frankfort
Tu-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Frank's Shrimp & Chicken
Restaurant · Seafood, Chicken · 2.5 mi
19109 Wolf Road, Mokena
Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00, Fr 10:00-21:00, Su Closed
Nancy's Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 3.1 mi
1840 East Lincoln Highway, New Lenox
Su-Th 15:30-21:00, Fr-Sa 15:00-22:00
Pepper Mill
Restaurant · Diner, Mexican, American, Breakfast · 2.4 mi
19137 Wolf Road, Mokena
Mo-Sa 07:00-19:00, Su 07:00-15:30
Pizza Di Farfalla
Restaurant · Italian Pizza, Pizza · 3.2 mi
1333 South Schoolhouse Road
We-Fr 11:30-21:00; Su 11:00-19:00; Sa 11:00-21:00
sweetFrog
Ice cream · Frozen Yogurt · 1.1 mi
9645 Lincoln-Way Lane, Frankfort
Mo-Th 14:00-20:30; Fr 14:00-21:00; Sa 13:00-21:00; Su 13:00-20:30
Denny's
Diner · American · 2.7 mi
19099 Old La Grange Road, Mokena
24/7
Eggcetera
Restaurant · Breakfast, Burger, Pancake · 2.4 mi
10120 191st Street, Mokena
Mo-Su 06:00-15:00
49 more on the map.
History
First inhabited by Native Americans, including the Potawatomi and Sac and Fox tribes, Frankfort was used as a conduit between the Des Plaines and St. Joseph rivers. The area was part of the Virginia Territory until the French signed a treaty with Manitoqua, the Potawatomi chief, for land in the Prestwick area. The first pioneers came to Frankfort in the early 1830s by means of the Des Plaines River from the southwest and by wagon from the east along the Sauk Trail, a roadway that still exists.
William Rice, the first non-native settler, made a permanent settlement in Frankfort in 1831. While the first pioneers, coming mainly from the New England colonies, were mostly of English and Scottish descent, German immigrants made the village of Frankfort a reality in the 1840s. They had fled harsh conditions in their homeland and were industrious and experienced farmers, soon buying most of the fertile farmland from the "Yankees", who were more inclined to provide services for local needs. Establishing both ownership and pride in the area, the German settlers implemented the first system of resident concern for local lands, which has been maintained ever since.
From the History section of Frankfort, Illinois on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay4
Churches and places of worship12
Shopping12
Gas and EV charging16
Schools, colleges and libraries47
Lincoln-Way East High School
School · 0.9 mi
201 Colorado Avenue, Frankfort
Healthcare11
Riverside Healthcare Frankfort Campus
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.9 mi
23120 South La Grange Road, Frankfort
Map of Frankfort
219 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
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
Lewis University Airport (LOT) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 14 miles away.
- Country Club Hills 8 mi northeast, about 14 min by car
- Chicago Heights 12 mi east, about 20 min by car
- Crestwood 12 mi northeast, about 19 min by car
- Alsip 13 mi northeast, about 21 min by car
- Joliet 14 mi west, about 23 min by car
- Crest Hill 14 mi west, about 22 min by car
- Blue Island 14 mi northeast, about 23 min by car
- Chicago Ridge 14 mi north, about 23 min by car
- Dolton 16 mi northeast, about 26 min by car
- Bolingbrook 17 mi northwest, about 28 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
- 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
- Church Tower of Frankfort, Ill., Zarka Khalid, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Challenge course at Lincoln Meadows Park in Frankfort, Illinois, United States, SimLibrarian, CC0
- Lincoln Meadows Park in Frankfort, Illinois, United States, SimLibrarian, CC0
- Frankfort Township building entrance 2026-08-2, User:Visviva, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Old Frankfort Township building front 2026-08-23, User:Visviva, CC BY-SA 4.0
- McGovney–Yunker Farmstead, Teemu08, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Old Plank Road Trail above LaGrange Road, AlphaBeta135, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Illinois C Truck License Plate, Tholle33, CC0
- WLS (AM) transmitter building, Tdl1060, CC BY-SA 4.0
_transmitter_building.jpg){kind=link}
Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.