City of Lake Forest, IL

Historic Preservation of historic properties and structures helps to maintain the established identity of a community and provides an understanding of the past in order to better plan for the future.  Historic Preservation involves the entire community and is considered an excellent tool for economic development and stability.  Historic preservation encompasses many ideas and concepts and can be defined as the identification, protection and enhancement of historic resources.  Historic preservation goes beyond simply saving old buildings; it is a means of maintaining a historic character through the preservation of buildings, monuments, landscapes and allowing sensitive infill architecture to continue past traditions.  There are many positive reasons to invest in the historic preservation of your property and the community as a whole.

Please use this interactive map of the Local Historic Districts and Landmarks to learn more about the properties.

Local Historic DistrictsThere are five Local Historic Districts in Lake Forest. These districts were created to provide a local means of protection for Lake Forest's historic areas.

Lake Forest Historic District
Roughly east Lake Forest from Lake Forest Cemetery on the north to Ringwood Road on the south and the Central Business District on the west to Lake Michigan on the east.  Listing 1/26/1978.

Vine-Oakwood-Green Bay Road Historic District
Includes properties along Vine Avenue, properties along Oakwood Avenue south of Illinois Road, and properties along the east side of Green Bay Road between Saint Mary's Church and Vine Avenue.  Listing 3/28/1980.

Green Bay Road Historic District
Roughly the Green Bay Road corridor from the City limits on the north to Onwentsia Road on the south, and adjacent properties on intersection east-west streets and Ahwahnee Road.  Listing 11/7/1995.

Meadowood Dairy Historic District
Clifford Milton Leonard Farm, "Meadowood Dairy"; built 1923-1926.  Listing 8/10/2000
Individual Contributing Structures

• 550 Hathaway Circle - Milk House; Architect: Ralph Varney
• 561 Hathaway Circle - South Cottage; Architect: Ralph Varney
• 565 Hathaway Circle - Middle Cottage; Architect: Ralph Varney
• 570 Hathaway Circle - Main Barn; Architect: Ralph Varney
• 575 Hathaway Circle - Carriage Barn; Architect: Ralph Varney
• 579 Hathaway Circle - North Cottage; Architect: Ralph Varney
• 1190 Inverlieth Road - Chicken House; Architect: Ralph Varney

Grove School Historic District
Grove Cultural Campus - north of Old Mill Road, south of North Croft Park, east of properties on the east side of Ridge Road and west of the Pacific Northwest Rail Line.  Local Listing 8/5/2002
Individual Contributing Structures

• Dickinson Hall, built 1929-30; Architect: Edwin H. Clark
• Stirling Hall, built 1929-30; Architect: Edwin H. Clark
• Bennett Hall, built 1949; Architect: Stanley D. Anderson
• Log Cabin

Individual Local Historic Landmark Properties and StructuresIn addition to the Local Historic Districts listed above, a number of properties are listed on the Local Register for Historic Properties. This map provides information on those individual properties.  Please contact Jen Baehr in the Community Development Department  if you have further questions.