Skokie Walking Tour - Skokie

The Skokie Walking Tour was created as part of the Skokie Public Library BOOMbox Architecture rotation. When planning for the current BOOMbox rotation on Architecture, we wanted to share the architectural history of community in some way. By developing a short walking tour near and around the Library, we are highlighting homes and structures from the 1920s to present day. These structures are still standing and, in addition to their visual appeal, share Skokie’s ever evolving story.

By focusing on the more recent history of Skokie, we are highlighting the wave of immigrants from the 1950s-1980s and even present day that influenced the increase in residential buildings as well as retail and community buildings. And created the cultural melting pot, which is celebrated at the Festival of Cultures.

Most of the original buildings from the days of Niles Centre were razed starting in the 1920s with the first though brief real estate boom. There was a fire on Oakton Street in 1940 that damaged or completely destroyed several buildings. 1940 also denotes the year our village name was adopted.

In 1946 the Village decided to focus on single-family home construction. Chicago residents relocated to Skokie in part because of the Edens Highway expansion, making city commutes possible. The Jewish immigration wave also began in the 1950s, progressing the need for housing and igniting the construction of several synagogues still present today. In 1954, 1,554 homes were built, a value of about $24.5 million. In 1961 there were "11,773 single-family homes, 571 two flats, 118 three flats, 397 co-ops, and 164 townhouses" (p. 86). Ranch style homes dominated 1950s.

For a historical walking tour, please visit the Skokie Heritage Museum.

Walking Tour Map.pdf

Architecture Walking Tour.docx