Chicago Community Area #12 - Forest Glen

Forest Glen is a far northwest side neighborhood and one of the only neighborhoods where there are many angled streets, i.e. streets that don't run straight north-south or east-west. Part of the reason for that, I believe, is because the old Indian boundary line ran diagonally from northeast to southwest through this area and much of the land was divided along that line. Rogers Avenue runs directly along the Indian boundary line.

The Indian boundary line was established by the treaty of 1816 in which the Europeans were guaranteed safe passage along the Chicago River and were allowed to settle anywhere 10 miles north and south of the river. The 10 mile north spot is in Rogers Park where Rogers Ave meets the lake. it then runs diagonally through the northwest side of the city.

An elm tree once stood along the Indian boundary line that people would use as a guidepost. Today, there is a commemorative marker at the 5-way intersection of Rogers, Kilbourn, and Caldwell in Forest Glen. It reads:

OLD TREATY ELM

The tree which stood here until 1933 marked the northern boundary of the Fort Dearborn Reservation, the trail to Lake Geneva, the center of Billy Caldwell's (Chief Sauganash) reservation, and the site of the Indian treaty of 1835.

For more information about the Indian Boundary Line, see the Forgotten Chicago web page.

Forest Glen has many large and beautiful homes. One that I thought was particularly unique was at the corner of Forest Glen Ave and Latham Ave. It has sign in front of it welcoming you to the community of Forest Glen and the sunken backyard has a windmill and other kitschy decorations.