Highland Park (Illinois)

Highland Park is an affluent suburban city in Lake County, Illinois, United States, about 25mi north of downtown Chicago. As of the 2010 census, the population was 29,763. Highland Park is one of several municipalities located on the North Shore of the Chicago metropolitan area.HistoryIn 1867, 10 men purchased Highland Park for $39,198.70. They were the original stockholders of the Highland Park Building Company. Following construction of the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad, a depot was established at Highland Park and a plat, extending south to Central Avenue, was laid out in 1856. Highland Park was established as a city on March 11, 1869, with a population of 500, and evolved from two settlements: St. John and Port Clinton. Highland Park was named from its parklike setting at a lofty elevation relative to the lake, and was given its name from Walter S. Gurnee. The town annexed the village of Ravinia in 1899.OverviewHighland Park has several attractions including a vibrant downtown shopping district and the Ravinia Festival. Ravinia Festival is an open-air pavilion seating 3,200, which hosts classical, pop and jazz concerts in the summer. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1936. Concert-goers can purchase seats in the covered pavilion or tickets to sit on the lawn. Many visitors arrive early and picnic on the lawn before and during the concerts. The Ravinia Festival is located in the Ravinia District, originally an artists' colony which still retains much of its early character and architecture.