Evanston

Evanston sits on the northern shore of Lake Michigan in Cook County, offering a mix of residential blocks, stretches of beach, and commercial streets lined with low-rise buildings. The Northwestern University campus occupies much of the urban area, while older homes with front porches and yards line the quieter streets.

Methodist leaders founded the settlement in 1836 to establish an educational institution north of Chicago, which later became Northwestern University. The city grew rapidly after railroad connections brought professors and families from the downtown core.

Home to Northwestern University, the city features Collegiate Gothic brick buildings and busy libraries where local residents mingle with students from around the world. The entire municipality was alcohol-free for decades, a legacy still visible in the quiet tone of many residential streets.

Several train stations connect the area to downtown Chicago in roughly half an hour, with trains running frequently during daytime hours. Bike paths along the lakefront offer a relaxed way to move between neighborhoods and reach the beach.

The city launched the first municipal reparations program in the United States, providing housing assistance to Black residents affected by past discriminatory practices. This program draws researchers and activists interested in observing its real-world impact on the ground.