How Come Chicago Suburbs Have So Few National Landmarks?

Came across another old article in the Nov. 4, 2007 Chicago Daily Herald titled "Why are the suburbs short on national landmarks?" by Justin Kmitch.

Fort Sheridan is the ONLY national landmark in Chicago's suburbs. Of 83 National Historical Landmarks in Illinois, 51 are in Chicago city limits.

One reason is that there are not enough folks involved in preservation. In order to get landmark status the site must be deemed as a nationally significant place. Across the country, there are fewer than 2,500 at this level.

The job of nominating potential landmark candidates is up to the National Park Service. The process takes 2-5 years. The time and money necessary for this is enough to keep some weekend historians from making the attempt.

Adlai Stevenson Home

Lake County preservationists are pushing to have the home of the late Adlai Stevenson declared a national landmark. He was Illinois governor from 1949-1955, Democratic presidential nominee in 1952 and 1956, US ambassador to the UN 1961-1965. The home is located in Mettawa along St. Mary's Road. Famous guest to the house included JFK and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Other Chicago Suburb Candidates

Great Lakes-- North Chicago
Octagon House--Barrington
Martin Mitchell Mansion-- Naperville
Viking Ship-- Geneva
Town Club-- McHenry--1839--scene of some of the western frontier's first court cases
McDonald's-- Des Plaines
Cuneo Museum and Gardens-- Vernon Hills
Arlington Park Race Track-- Arlington Heights
Wheaton College and North Central College-- Naperville

Come On Suburbs. Get on the Boat. --RoadDog