West North Avenue

Cruising down West North Avenue feels like traveling through time. This thoroughfare, stretching across Chicago and its western suburbs, holds a rich history. West North Avenue wasn’t always the bustling street you see today. It began as a humble boundary, the northernmost edge of Chicago in 1837, west of LaSalle Street. Imagine the city then, a fraction of its current size, with West North Avenue marking its outer limit. As Chicago grew, so did West North Avenue. Its reach extended westward, bit by bit, annexing more land into the city. In 1851, the stretch to Western Avenue became part of Chicago. Then, in 1869, the city limits pushed further west to Pulaski Road. West North Avenue became more than a boundary. It transformed into a vital artery, connecting communities and facilitating the city’s westward expansion. In the late 1920s, DuPage County saw the birth of a new North Avenue. Constructed in 1928, this forty-foot highway represented progress and connection for the county. This continuous stretch of road now spans an impressive distance. From its starting point at Main Street in St. Charles, it runs eastward, becoming North Avenue as it crosses the Kane/DuPage county line. West North Avenue carries the designation of Illinois Route 64 through Chicago until it reaches LaSalle Drive. There, Route 64 briefly veers north onto LaSalle before merging with US Route 41. West North Avenue, however, persists eastward. It transitions into North Boulevard at Clark Street and finally concludes in a cul-de-sac just west of Lake Shore Drive. This street isn’t just a road; it’s a journey through Chicago’s history. It stands as a testament to the city’s growth and development. So, next time you travel along West North Avenue, take a moment to appreciate its significance. Remember the city’s humble beginnings and the road that marked its expansion.