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Downtown Event

About Evanston

evanston-area-map

Welcome to the City of Evanston, home to approximately 75,000 residents and located just north of of Chicago. Bordering Lake Michigan and home to Northwestern University and Rotary International, Evanston's unique beauty and character delights visitors and residents of all ages. With a vision to create the most livable city in America, Evanston celebrates the diversity of its opportunities and residents. 

Evanston is home to...

Northwestern University

Evanston has a variety of excellent higher educational opportunities, as well as a successful public school system.

Rotary International

Evanston is also home to the world headquarters of Rotary International. Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide.

Dining & Shopping

With nine unique business districts in Evanston, residents and visitors can find a variety of delicious restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops and national retailers! Check out local business district websites for more information:

Lakefront & Beaches

Evanston is set on the shores of Lake Michigan and is home to six public swimming beaches including Lighthouse Beach, Clark Street Beach, Lee Street Beach, Greenwood Street Beach, South Boulevard Beach and Lincoln Street Beach (which is managed by Northwestern University).

  

Learn more about season and daily beach passes.

 

HistoryFountain SquarePhoto: Fountain Square, July 4, 1876

 

Northwestern University was actually founded before the City itself. In 1855, Northwestern opened its door for the first time. The founders of Northwestern, submitted to the county judge their plans for a city and their wish to rename the town Evanston in 1854. In 1847, the town of Evanston was named. 

 

After the Civil War, Evanston saw a huge economic and population boom. Between 1860 and 1870, the population quadrupled. Evanston continue to grow and remain independent of Chicago. The City became know for its architecture and beautiful homes on the lake. Then, between 1920 and 1930, there was a 70 percent increase in population. 

 

Today, Evanston is still thriving as an independent city. There are many cultural outlets, a thriving business economy and many public lakefront recreation activities and beaches. 

Evanston History Center

Visit the Evanston History Center for more biographical information about this great city. 

Shorefront Legacy Center

Shorefront’s growing archive has, and continues to inspire research on and about the local Chicago suburban North Shore Black communities. The center holds over 250 linear feet of archival materials open for public use.