How about a town born from semi-finished houses? Northlake, Illinois, a city of friendly people, has a unique origin story. This town, located 14 miles west of the Loop in Cook County, wasn’t always the vibrant community it is today.
Back in 1939, Northlake was mostly farmland. World War II changed everything. The construction of the Buick defense plant in neighboring Melrose Park spurred rapid housing development. The Midland Development Company bought land near the plant. They created a housing complex nestled between two railroad yards.
Midland built the shells of Cape Cod and ranch-style houses. They advertised them as semi-finished. Plant employees loved the idea of saving money by completing the houses themselves. Buyers added their own paint and labor to the exterior. They installed electrical fixtures, heating equipment, and plumbing. By 1941, Northlake had 600 houses.
The city’s name itself has an interesting story. Midland reportedly ran a contest to name the new community. The winning entry combined the names of two major roads. North Avenue and Lake Street became Northlake.
The Proviso rail yards played a crucial role. Built in 1929, they provided transportation access for industry. Major industries continued to attract new residents throughout the 1940s to Northlake. An incorporation vote failed in 1944. But residents voted to incorporate as the city of Northlake in 1949 to avoid annexation by Melrose Park.
By 1953, Northlake’s population reached an estimated 9,000. The Tri-State Tollway’s construction boosted industry further. Automatic Electric, a telephone switching equipment manufacturer, became a major employer after 1957. In the early 1970s, it employed 14,000 workers. That number roughly equaled the city’s population. However, the company reduced its staff significantly and left Northlake in the early 1990s.
The rapid growth of the 1970s strained Northlake’s infrastructure. City streets, sewers, and water lines underwent extensive overhauls between 1981 and 1988. The population in 1990 was 12,505. It comprised people of German, Irish, Italian, and Polish heritage. A significant number of blue-collar workers also called Northlake home. The city also saw increasing Hispanic and Asian populations. Residential areas were mainly in the east. Industry was concentrated in the west.
Responding to a 1994 land-use report, Northlake focused on increasing open space. The city renovated existing parks. It also opened a new 32-acre park called Centerpoint Preserve. Northlake is easily accessible. Interstates 294 and 290 provide convenient routes for commuters.
Today, Northlake continues to grow and evolve. It’s a vibrant community with a rich history. From its humble beginnings as a collection of semi-finished houses to its present-day status as a thriving city, Northlake embodies the spirit of friendly people and community.