Anyone know the significance of North/West/East/South Chicago? (Waukegan: neighborhoods, rail)

[Master Jay]

Hello,

I need to take a healthy mental break from thinking of Coronavirus/ Riots/Politics, etc. on the forum. Help me with some potentially "useless" trivia...

In Milwaukee County, for example, our North Milwaukee suburb came to be called Brown Deer. Our East Milwaukee suburb came to be known as Shorewood. For some reason, our West Milwaukee and South Milwaukee remained with the same names.... In Milwaukee County, a Milwaukee "suburb" essentially is a suburb since it touches the actual border streets of the city of Milwaukee.

I know Chicago operates under different rules as to what constitutes a suburb of the city of Chicago.... Does anyone know why your North/West/East/South were chosen for the city that now bears its names? For example, there are numerous cities WEST of the city of Chicago, but only one bears it's name.

My knowledge is limited, which is why I need help... I know North Chicago was actually South Waukegan, prior.... And I know South Chicago is actually one of the 77 Community Neighborhoods, and obviously pretty far south in the city.

Thank you for keeping me UN-focused...

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Hello,

I need to take a healthy mental break from thinking of Coronavirus/ Riots/Politics, etc. on the forum. Help me with some potentially "useless" trivia...

In Milwaukee County, for example, our North Milwaukee suburb came to be called Brown Deer. Our East Milwaukee suburb came to be known as Shorewood. For some reason, our West Milwaukee and South Milwaukee remained with the same names.... In Milwaukee County, a Milwaukee "suburb" essentially is a suburb since it touches the actual border streets of the city of Milwaukee.

I know Chicago operates under different rules as to what constitutes a suburb of the city of Chicago.... Does anyone know why your North/West/East/South were chosen for the city that now bears its names? For example, there are numerous cities WEST of the city of Chicago, but only one bears it's name.

My knowledge is limited, which is why I need help... I know North Chicago was actually South Waukegan, prior.... And I know South Chicago is actually one of the 77 Community Neighborhoods, and obviously pretty far south in the city.

Thank you for keeping me UN-focused...

I'm not sure what exactly you're trying to understand. Are you trying to understand why West Chicago is named West Chicago, for example? It was named West Chicago simply to attract people and industry to the area by piggybacking off of the much bigger City of Chicago to its east.

[Master Jay]

Hiruko, I TOLD you I needed a mental break!!!!

I was at work when I wrote this, and I was using some vacation hours to start my weekend early!!!

To try to make my question better understood (I hope this works!): WHY did WHICHEVER city that was designated North Chicago, West Chicago and East Chicago get to hold that name?; given there are MANY cities that lay north, west and east of the city. But only ONE gets to be called that...

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Hiruko, I TOLD you I needed a mental break!!!!

I was at work when I wrote this, and I was using some vacation hours to start my weekend early!!!

To try to make my question better understood (I hope this works!): WHY did WHICHEVER city that was designated North Chicago, West Chicago and East Chicago get to hold that name?; given there are MANY cities that lay north, west and east of the city. But only ONE gets to be called that...

Are there any municipalities in any state that share the same exact name? North Chicago was "Incorporated as a village in 1895, North Chicago was called South Waukegan until 1901."

[Master Jay]

Hiruko, I may be wrong but I think there are 2 towns in Wisconsin named Rome.

I know that in Chicago, North Avenue and Western Avenue were given those names because at THAT time, they were the north and west border of the city limits.

What I want to know is, for example, with SO MANY towns that are north of Chicago, why did South Waukegan get to have the name NORTH Chicago, but other towns north of Chicago ( Skokie, Deerfield, Highwood, etc.) did NOT get to be called North Chicago??

I must not be asking this question correctly. So Hiruko, now YOU need a mental break because of me!!!! Lol

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Hiruko, I may be wrong but I think there are 2 towns in Wisconsin named Rome.

It looks like one is a municipality and another is simply a census-designated place.

I know that in Chicago, North Avenue and Western Avenue were given those names because at THAT time, they were the north and west border of the city limits.

What I want to know is, for example, with SO MANY towns that are north of Chicago, why did South Waukegan get to have the name NORTH Chicago, but other towns north of Chicago ( Skokie, Deerfield, Highwood, etc.) did NOT get to be called North Chicago??

I must not be asking this question correctly. So Hiruko, now YOU need a mental break because of me!!!! Lol

In Illinois, municipalities choose their own names. These places were merely named based on their locations and local preferences.

[Master Jay]

Hiruko, thank you for sharing, and your patience with me!

NOW, where does the name "Hiruko" come from?!? Lol

[BOBNCHI]

Often the naming conventions of some towns were related to the rail systems.

[Master Jay]

BOBNCHI, that makes a lot of sense, too. Thank you for sharing, Sir.

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

Because a town in Pennsylvania already took the name "Intercourse".