Fort Sheridan, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Sheridan, Illinois
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 Fort Sheridan, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Fort Sheridan, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Lake |
| Townships | Moraine, West Deerfield |
| Elevation | 665 ft (203 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
60037
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| Area code(s) | 847 |
Fort Sheridan is a special neighborhood in Lake County, Illinois. It's part of the cities of Lake Forest, Highwood, and Highland Park. This area used to be a big U.S. Army base. It was named after Philip Sheridan, a famous general from the Civil War. The base honored his help to the city of Chicago.
Contents
What is the History of Fort Sheridan?
Early Days and First Settlements
Long ago, around 1670, a French trading post was set up here. It was on a trail between Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the early Chicago area. Both Native Americans and settlers used this trail and trading post. Most early settlers were immigrants from Ireland, Germany, and Scandinavia. The land was not good for farming because of many deep ravines and thick forests.
In the 1840s, a small village called St. Johns was started. It was built on a high cliff overlooking Lake Michigan. People in the village worked in logging, making leather, and creating bricks and iron. The area lost many trees because so many bricks were made, about 400,000 each year. By 1865, the village became quiet and mostly empty.
Why Did Fort Sheridan Close?
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The main army base was ordered to close in 1988. This was part of a plan called the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. This plan decided which military bases across the country would close. The Department of Defense officially closed Fort Sheridan on May 3, 1993.
Most of the land and buildings were given to a special committee. This group then sold parts of the land and houses to companies. These companies fixed up the old army homes. They then sold them as new houses in a residential community. Other buildings were given to groups like the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. This is a large music program for young people in the Midwest.
The Army kept about 90 acres (36 hectares) at the southern end of the base. Here, they still run the Sheridan Reserve Center. This area includes training divisions for the Army Reserve. There are also newly fixed-up homes for military families. These homes are used by active duty and reserve soldiers. They serve at Fort Sheridan and the Great Lakes Navy Training Center.
The Fort Sheridan cemetery was started in 1889. It is still a place where military members can be buried. The federal government owns this cemetery.
What is the Fort Sheridan Historic District?
In 1984, parts of Fort Sheridan became a National Historic Landmark District. This means it's a very important historical site in the United States. The National Park Service said the site "possesses national significance." This means it helps us remember important parts of American history.
The historic district covers about 230 acres (93 hectares) of land and buildings. It is bordered by Hutchinson and Bartlett Ravines and the shore of Lake Michigan. There are 94 buildings in this special district. These buildings include homes for officers, barracks for soldiers, stables, and a drill hall. There is also a water tower and many other old army buildings. A large open area, the 54-acre (22-hectare) parade ground, was also kept as open space.
What is the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve?
A large forest preserve now covers 250 acres (101 hectares) of the old fort land. The Lake County Forest Preserves group runs this preserve. They had been trying to get this land from the U.S. Army since the 1980s. In 1997, the Army started giving them the northern part of the base. The last section was given to them in 2001.
The preserve has trails for many activities. There are about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) of trails for hiking. You can also find 3.7 miles (6.0 km) of trails for cross-country skiing. About 1.3 miles (2.1 km) of trails are for bicycling. The preserve also has about 0.75 miles (1.2 km) of shoreline along Lake Michigan. You can find educational displays and viewing spots along the trails.
How to Get to Fort Sheridan
Public Transportation Options
The Fort Sheridan station offers Metra commuter rail service. This train line is called the Union Pacific North Line. Trains travel south to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago. They also go north to Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Pace also provides bus service in the area. Route 472 connects Fort Sheridan to Highland Park. It also goes to other nearby places.
