This Milwaukee Avenue series looks at the past, present, and future of the road.
Some roads in the Chicago area are like rivers: They snake their way through communities, serving as migration paths for residents on the move.
Milwaukee Avenue is one of those roads. It begins in the heart of Chicago and shoots northwest until it leaves the city’s boundaries, cutting through towns from Niles to Gurnee. In some places, it is a quaint downtown street; in others, it borders picturesque forest preserves.
These scenic shifts, combined with a rich history, make Milwaukee Avenue such an iconic road in the north suburbs. The road is paved with countless stories, from the days when the route was nothing more than a network of trails to the post-World War II years when the surrounding suburbs boomed with development.
For three weeks, the TribLocal reporters will explore Milwaukee Avenue’s past, present and future and tell some of those stories that make the road and the communities it serves unique. Check back for updates.