Winnetka, Residential village in Cook County, Illinois, US
Winnetka is a residential village in Cook County, northeastern Illinois, sitting along the shore of Lake Michigan. The streets run parallel to the lake and cross with wide avenues, where old trees cast shade over lawns and front gardens.
The settlement grew around a tavern built in 1836 for travelers on the Green Bay Trail. The community was formally incorporated in 1869 and developed into an upscale residential area during the early 20th century.
The village name comes from a Potawatomi word referring to a beautiful or adorned woman. Along the residential streets, many houses show designs by Frank Lloyd Wright or George Washington Maher, and walkers pass under old elms and oaks.
The Winnetka Park District operates several parks and recreational facilities, including a golf course, tennis courts, and ice rinks open to visitors. Most activities run year-round, and the lakefront areas draw crowds during summer months.
The northern border cuts through 58 houses, requiring those residents to pay taxes to two municipalities. The local school system follows the Washburne method, developed in the 1920s and focused on individual pacing.
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