Secret North Shore–Chicago: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Book excerpt: Driving north from Chicago opens up the wonderland known as the North Shore, a string of remarkable suburban areas, each with its own story and yet all bound together by rail lines, highways, and a similar background. While most of the area is known for its tree-lined streets, large, single-family homes, and quaint downtowns, hidden along the way are unusual sites and spots that elicit responses like, “Wow, I didn’t know that was there.” Glimpse the exquisite beauty of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s windows. Bask in the natural beauty of Lake Michigan, then learn about the site of one of the worst marine disasters in that same lake. Know about the nation’s largest train robbery? You will now. Explore the locations of a Native American Potawatomi settlement, a now-decommissioned US Army base originally designed to “protect” Chicago from labor unrest, and a newly risen neighborhood retrieved from land formerly housing a US Naval Air Station. Discover the story of the ghost who haunts one town’s city hall or find the home of the man who “truly” invented the telephone—and it wasn’t Alexander Graham Bell. Hop in the car, grab a lunch of famous hot dogs, pancakes, or burgers, and start your journey with Secret North Shore–Chicago to discover the different, the weird, and the obscure. Enjoy the ride.