Wilmette

Wilmette is a residential community in Cook County, Illinois, that stretches for five miles along Lake Michigan and includes more than 188 acres of public parks with swimming beaches and recreational facilities. The community maintains a network of roads and sidewalks complemented by Metra and CTA rail connections that link residents and visitors to public transit.

The community was officially incorporated in 1872 and received its name through the Second Treaty of Prairie du Chien, which honored the Ouilmette family. Antoine Ouilmette and his wife Archange had previously operated a trading post here before European settlers arrived.

The landmark here is a white temple with nine sides that serves as a meeting place for the Baháʼí community and draws visitors from around the world. Its name traces back to Archange Ouilmette, a trader from the Potawatomi people who lived here in the early 1800s.

The community is easy to reach by rail lines that run regularly from Chicago and bring commuters to the shores of Lake Michigan in less than an hour. Those visiting the parks and beaches will find public parking and access points along the lakefront roads that are easy to reach on foot or by bicycle.

Two fire stations with a combined 44 emergency responders answer several thousand calls each year, with most incidents involving medical assistance rather than fires. The firefighters know nearly every street and many residents personally, which shapes the work in a small lakeside community.

Location: Cook County

Inception: 1872

Elevation above the sea: 194 m

Shares border with: Evanston

Website: https://wilmette.com

GPS coordinates: 42.07722,-87.72361

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:53