Suburbs that are obscure or little-known (Chicago, Naperville: subdivision, metro area, areas)

[Dr. Blish]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

I don't think Lisle, Bridgeview, Burbank or Summit are remotely close to this category.

Yeah, maybe Bedford Park would be a better choice. Bedford Park is one of those areas that you may know about due to all the hotels and retail along Cicero, but would never know the name of the city off hand. Most people would probably refer to it as either Ford City, or the area just south of Midway.

[MillennialUrbanist]

Originally Posted by Dr. Blish

Yeah, maybe Bedford Park would be a better choice. Bedford Park is one of those areas that you may know about due to all the hotels and retail along Cicero, but would never know the name of the city off hand. Most people would probably refer to it as either Ford City, or the area just south of Midway.

I agree. Bedford Park is mostly an industrial suburb, filled with factories and warehouses, and an almost-symbolic residential area. Many people come there for work, but few people are actually from there. Since people are more likely to talk about where they live than where they work, the name Bedford Park doesn't get mentioned often.

[CCrest182]

Originally Posted by guidoLaMoto

Lisle-- you drive thru it on the way from Downers to Naperville. Its Four Lakes complex was the VD capital of the world in the 70s


Burbank- just south of Midway AP and Clearing District


Bridgeview- 2nd largest ArabAmerican pop in US


Summit- frequent haunt of Babe Ruth when the Yankees were in town; Not much else has happened there since then; usually hyphenated with Argo, which is basically the Corn Products Research Institute & the Argo CornStarch plant


Willow Springs IL, aka SpeedTrap IL or to locals, "The Town That Time Forgot"; home to The Grove, voted annually as the best biker bar in Chicago; patrons still smoke at the bar; even the cops are afraid to go there. I remember the first time I went there. I thought I had stepped onto a pirate ship. Also home to Resurrection Mary, world famous ghost.


And how about Highwood, tucked in between Highland Pk & Lake Forest, once called "The Toughest Town in the US" by Calvin Coolidge. When Fort Sheridan was open, the town consisted of one small grocery store, one gas station, one church (St James) and about 50 saloons (real easy to sell charity drawing tickets as a kid).

Honestly, Lisle has got to be one of the most well known suburbs, especially in the west suburbs. Lots of car dealerships and corporate offices in and around there.

Willow Springs is small, but it's also fairly well known; has its own Metra stop and mini-downtown, and has a long stretching road named after it. Nearby Justice and Alsip though are fairly unknown, unless you frequent 294 in the area, in which case you'll know Alsip from a water tower.

[CCrest182]

Originally Posted by Dr. Blish

Yeah, maybe Bedford Park would be a better choice. Bedford Park is one of those areas that you may know about due to all the hotels and retail along Cicero, but would never know the name of the city off hand. Most people would probably refer to it as either Ford City, or the area just south of Midway.

Went to a Sox game last year, and the post game fireworks show was sponsored by "The Village of Bedford Park". I've also heard multiple radio ads for Bedford Park. One of the only suburbs I can point to that literally spends money trying to advertise itself.

If I'm not mistaken there's a major FedEx facility there too?

[pvande55]

Originally Posted by CCrest182

Wow, I thought Rockdale was just a part of Joliet, but it is indeed its own village. Great find there.

Hometown is another good one.

Rockdale's main claim to fame is in the movie Silver Streak. The Bad Guys get off there to head off the authorities waiting for them in Chicago. In reality, however, there is no Amtrak (or Metra) station there.

[fusillirob1983]

I think a lot of the towns named in the last 24-48 hours are extremely well known by anyone in the SW burbs.

[Liledgy]

Wilton Center, just south of Manhattan Il. Andres, just south of Frankfort il.

[damba]

Originally Posted by Liledgy

Wilton Center, just south of Manhattan Il. Andres, just south of Frankfort il.

Those aren’t suburbs.

[Liledgy]

Originally Posted by damba

Those aren’t suburbs.

Well, neither is Rockdale,lol.

[ShampooBanana]

Nobody has mentioned Sleepy Hollow (not be confused with the OTHER Sleepy Hollow of Ichabod Crane fame). Nice, scenic little rural burg just west of West Dundee and north of Elgin. The name fits if you've ever been through it.