Kenilworth, Illinois

History

Kenilworth was founded in 1889 when Joseph Sears purchased 223.6 acres of land consisting of several farms between the Chicago and North Western Railroad and Lake Michigan for $150,300. Sears and several of his associates formed The Kenilworth Company to execute his suburban dream.

Sears founded the town on four principles: "Large lots, high standards of construction, no alleys, and sales to Caucasians only." The Caucasians only provision intended the exclusion of all non-whites and Jews as well. Sears later used an informal poll to amend this provision so that live-in servants of color were allowed. This resulted in a population of 79 African Americans by 1950, all of whom worked as servants. As of 2020, just 10 African Americans lived in Kenilworth (0.4% of the population).

The company undertook all marketing activities. They publicized the community's many attractive features through brochures, maps, and newspaper ads, as well as direct personal sales. Prospects were provided transportation from the city and greeted with a reception. Visitors were also offered overnight accommodations. In 1891, Sears invited about 20 of his personal friends, prominent bankers and Chicago businessmen to a picnic luncheon on Kenilworth's lake shore. Lots were offered at $60 an acre; significantly above the $15 an acre for similarly located property nearby. Some laughed, but the property did sell within 12 months. This planned community attracted widespread attention and was visited by many noted architects attending the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

On February 4, 1896, the village reached the required 300 residents and was incorporated. The elected board assumed municipal functions from Sears. The Kenilworth Company continued their sales activities until 1904, at which time Sears acquired the existing stock and became the sole owner of the remaining property.

The Kenilworth Company coordinated every aspect of this planned community to ensure the highest quality implementation and adherence to Joseph Sears’ vision. The village layout was designed to take advantage of the natural features and beauty of the land. To maintain the country atmosphere, the plan required large lots and setbacks, tree plantings along roadways, and generous park lands. Mr. Sears donated much of his own property to achieve this goal.

The church, schools, parks, clubs, and recreational areas were early additions to encourage a spirit of community. Noted architect Franklin Burnham joined The Kenilworth Company and designed the railroad station and the Kenilworth Union Church. Burnham also designed several homes for company members to display for potential residents.

The first African American family to move to Kenilworth, the Calhouns, was met with resistance by many in the community, such as a cross burning in 1966 and racially charged vandalism, while others voiced shock over the offenses. Speaking of his friends and neighbors, Walter Calhoun, a young student and athlete at the time, recalls "They bent over backwards to make sure I was never left out." Four years after the shocking incident, two teenagers visited Harold Calhoun in his downtown office where they confessed and apologized for the cross burning.

Geography

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Kenilworth has a total area of 0.61 sqmi, all land.

Demographics

There were 730 households, out of which 43.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them. Among all households, 80.3% were married couples living together, 4.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.5% were non-families. Households made up of one person living alone account for 11.5% of the total, and 6.4% of households were one person, 65 years of age or older, living alone. The average household size was 3.44 and the average family size was 3.23.

The village's age distribution consisted of 33.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 11.0% from 25 to 44, 34.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 102 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $241,591, and the median income for a family was $250,001. Males had a median income of $250,001 versus $58,214 for females. The per capita income for the village was $105,512. About 2.7% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Hiram Baldwin House is a Prairie School house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905.

Government

Education

Kenilworth has its own public school district, with its only school being Joseph Sears School, named after the founder of the village. The district is School District 38 in Cook County, and is the fifth most expensive K-8 district in the state of Illinois in per-student spending. The school, commonly known as Sears, runs from junior kindergarten through eighth grade, with about sixty students per grade.

Kenilworth is a part of New Trier Township High School District, which maintains campuses in the neighboring communities of Northfield (for freshmen) and Winnetka (for upperclassmen).

Transportation

The Kenilworth station provides Metra commuter rail service along the Union Pacific North Line. Trains travel south to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago, and north to Kenosha station. Bus service in the village is provided by Pace.

Notable people

· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability. · The article must mention how they are associated with , whether born, raised, or residing. · The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited. · Alphabetical by last name please · All others will be deleted without further explanation

• Frances Badger, painter and muralist, born in Kenilworth
• Debra Cafaro, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Ventas, an S&P 500 company; a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins
• Julia Collins, 20-game Jeopardy! champion
• Robert Dold, former Republican United States Congressman from 10th District of Illinois
• Walker Evans, Depression era photographer
• Paul Harvey, radio news commentator.
• Christopher G. Kennedy, son of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, and former president of the Merchandise Mart
• Mark Kirk, Republican former United States Senator from Illinois
• George Washington Maher, historically significant Chicago area architect
• James McManus, poker player
• Charles H. Percy, late and former Republican United States Senator from Illinois
• Jude Reyes, billionaire, co-owner of Rosemont-based Reyes Holdings, Inc.
• Liesel Pritzker Simmons, actress, millionaire, and philanthropist and member of the Pritzker family.
• Bradley Roland Will, activist, videographer and journalist; born in Evanston, was raised in Kenilworth
• Terence H. Winkless, film director

References

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. Kilner, Colleen. (1969). "Joseph Sears and his Kenilworth". Kenilworth Historical Society.
3. "Avoiding History at the National Trust {{!}} History News Network".
4. Loewen, James W.. "Avoiding History at the National Trust".
5. (1947). "Kenilworth - First Fifty Years". Village of Kenilworth.
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7. (1947). "Kenilworth - First Fifty Years". Village of Kenilworth.
8. Kilner, Colleen. (1969). "Joseph Sears and His Kenilworth". Kenilworth Historical Society.
9. (May 26, 1966). "Residents voice shock over cross burning here". Wilmette News.
10. Marihugh, Holly. (December 8, 2014). "Friendship & Forgiveness in Kenilworth". Daily North Shore.
11. "Gazetteer Files".
12. "Explore Census Data".
13. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kenilworth village, Illinois".
14. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kenilworth village, Illinois".
15. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kenilworth village, Illinois".
16. "Election Results | Cook County Clerk".
17. "RTA System Map".
18. "Frances Badger".
19. (February 11, 2013). "$5.25M Kenilworth Home Designed by George Maher". Wilmette-Kenilworth, IL Patch.
20. (April 29, 2014). "Will The Streak Get Cracked?".
21. Zawislak, Mick. (September 12, 2009). "Kenilworth businessman to enter 10th Dist. Congressional race". [[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights).
22. (1971). "Oral history interview with Walker Evans, 1971 Oct. 13-Dec. 23". Smithsonian Institution.
23. (March 3, 2008). "FEC Disclosure Image 28020220523".
24. Sweet, Lynn. (July 23, 2010). "Mark Kirk and his near drowning story". Chicago Sun-Times.
25. "George Washington Maher".
26. (May 4, 2003). "From 'Bad Jim' in Las Vegas to 'geezer dad' in Kenilworth". Chicago Tribune.
27. (June 14, 2011). "Newly disclosed account surfaces in 1966 Valerie Percy murder case". Chicago Tribune.
28. "Jude Reyes". Forbes.
29. Carlyle, Erin. (November 17, 2013). "Liesel Pritzker Simmons Sued Her Family And Got $500 Million, But She's No Trust Fund Baby". Forbes.
30. "Terence H. Winkless".