No Man's Land, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
No Man's Land
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 No Man's Land
Location in Illinois
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
No Man's Land, Illinois was never an official place name. Instead, this term was used to describe areas that were not officially part of any town. It usually meant a place where rules were not as strict as in nearby towns.
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No Man's Land Near Wilmette
The most famous "No Man's Land" was a small area north of Chicago. It was located on Sheridan Road, right by the shore of Lake Michigan. This area was surrounded by the fancy suburbs of Wilmette to the south and west, and Kenilworth to the north.
Why it was "No Man's Land"
For almost 100 years, this area remained undeveloped. None of the nearby towns wanted to officially take it over, a process called annexation. Because it wasn't part of any town, it didn't have strict local laws. This made it a place where activities not allowed in other towns could happen.
Early Development Plans
In the 1920s, a builder had a big idea. He wanted to create a club and a beach hotel complex. He planned to call it "Vista Del Lago," which means "Lakeview" in Spanish. The club was actually built. It had a unique Moorish Revival style, which looks like buildings from North Africa or Spain. This club was on the west side of Sheridan Road.
However, the hotel part was never finished. This was because of the Great Depression, a time in the 1930s when the economy was very bad. In 1928, a shopping center called Spanish Court opened next to the club. It was one of the first shopping centers designed for people arriving by car.
A Place with Few Rules
Because this area was not officially part of any town, it had fewer rules. A state lawmaker in the 1930s described No Man's Land as a place where young people might get into trouble. He said it had things like slot machines and other games that were not allowed elsewhere.
In 1942, after many years of arguments and legal battles, the village of Wilmette finally took over the area. The club building burned down shortly after. Today, this spot is home to the Plaza del Lago shopping center. There are also some tall apartment buildings east of Sheridan Road.
Nicknames for the Area
Before it was redeveloped in the 1960s, the area was quite lively. It had stores selling fireworks, hot dog stands, ice cream shops, and car dealerships. Because of all these fun places, people sometimes called it the "Coney Island of the North Shore." Another nickname was the "honky-tonk town of the North Shore."
Famous People from No Man's Land
The famous actor Charlton Heston was born in this "No Man's Land" area. His family was living there at the time.
No Man's Land Near Rogers Park
Some people also used the term "No Man's Land" for another area. This was before the cities of Evanston and Chicago grew larger. This area is now known as the Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago. The United States Geological Survey also identifies it as a different name for the Howard District. This district is located at 42°1′15″N 87°40′9″W / 42.02083°N 87.66917°W.
