Questions and Answers (Q&A) Forgotten Chicago Forum
Have a question about a specific element in Chicago's history? Ask Away!
Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
captain54
()
Date: February 21, 2010 10:25PM
My lady recently bought a home in the subdivision of Timber Ridge in Skokie...it's roughly a square mile bounded by Church to the north, Dempster to the south, Crawford to the west, and Prairie to the east..
It's got a very unusual street layout...all the streets have Indian like names, and are winding and curved..the architecture of most of the homes is very different...the area is lovely and wooded, sort of an enclave...the homes look as if they give the whole area a sort of upper crust look, as if it was an exclusive place to live, back in the late 50's and early 60's (which is what I've found to be birth of the area)..One can't help but picture a community much like we see on the old reruns of "The Dick Van Dyke' show from the early 60's..complete with Tupperware parties, PTA, station wagons, and dinner parties where the dry martinis and manhattans flowed...
Historic aerial views show a totally flat plain in 52'...Ten years later, there is a completely developed area, with streets, sidewalks, etc...pretty explosive growth..
anyone have any info or reminiscences of the area?
It's got a very unusual street layout...all the streets have Indian like names, and are winding and curved..the architecture of most of the homes is very different...the area is lovely and wooded, sort of an enclave...the homes look as if they give the whole area a sort of upper crust look, as if it was an exclusive place to live, back in the late 50's and early 60's (which is what I've found to be birth of the area)..One can't help but picture a community much like we see on the old reruns of "The Dick Van Dyke' show from the early 60's..complete with Tupperware parties, PTA, station wagons, and dinner parties where the dry martinis and manhattans flowed...
Historic aerial views show a totally flat plain in 52'...Ten years later, there is a completely developed area, with streets, sidewalks, etc...pretty explosive growth..
anyone have any info or reminiscences of the area?
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
shoreline
()
Date: February 22, 2010 12:20AM
During the 50s I remember that a number of families living in my Westridge neighborhood made the move to Timber Ridge. When built it was probably the most upscale sub in Skokie and a major life style advancement from the bungalows and ranch homes in Rogers Pk/ Albany Pk. Based on conversations I recall from the era, the "Dick Van Dyke Show" analogy is on target.
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
captain54
()
Date: February 22, 2010 01:11AM
I have heard the same...Timber Ridge was THE place to relocate from the old Rogers Park/Albany Park neighborhood...this particular home that my friend purchased in that sub is still somewhat preserved to its original condition, and its like taking a step back in time..sort of a late 50's, early 60's streamlined cool, where chrome was king and Hugh Hefner was in his heyday.
It would be interesting to note what the current makeup of the community is...adults who grew up in that community? a smattering of many ethnic groups?
It would be interesting to note what the current makeup of the community is...adults who grew up in that community? a smattering of many ethnic groups?
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
crowamonghens
()
Date: February 22, 2010 01:54AM
i went googling around there, pretty cool, looks like a movie set. i've seen some suburbs like that around philly.
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
222psm
()
Date: February 23, 2010 02:30PM
I find it interesting that the north-south streets names are not the same as south of Greenwood and north of Church. In other words, do not follow the grid names from Chicago. I also googled around, thats a cool looking place. It does look like a "Dick Van Dyke" neighborhood.
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
shoreline
()
Date: February 23, 2010 04:40PM
222psm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I find it interesting that the north-south streets
> names are not the same as south of Greenwood and
> north of Church. In other words, do not follow the
> grid names from Chicago. I also googled around,
> thats a cool looking place. It does look like a
> "Dick Van Dyke" neighborhood.
For the most part the street pattern in Skokie does follow the Chicago system. Timber Ridge is an exception. During the 50s the TR developers wanted exclusivity and built the curved streets with unique names. They were able to justify higher home prices at 9100 Sleeping Bear Rd vs that address on an Avers or Hamlin Aves. Buyers got "North Shore ambiance" in nearby and more affordable Skokie.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I find it interesting that the north-south streets
> names are not the same as south of Greenwood and
> north of Church. In other words, do not follow the
> grid names from Chicago. I also googled around,
> thats a cool looking place. It does look like a
> "Dick Van Dyke" neighborhood.
For the most part the street pattern in Skokie does follow the Chicago system. Timber Ridge is an exception. During the 50s the TR developers wanted exclusivity and built the curved streets with unique names. They were able to justify higher home prices at 9100 Sleeping Bear Rd vs that address on an Avers or Hamlin Aves. Buyers got "North Shore ambiance" in nearby and more affordable Skokie.
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
captain54
()
Date: February 23, 2010 06:28PM
another interesting sighting from the area is the old school neon sign leading people to the "Crawford Church Shopping Center", which is really nothing more than your average strip mall. Love the lit up "arrows" to the sides pointing you in the right direction.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/4382471117/" title="Crawford Church old school sign, Skokie, IL by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4382471117_7f5d731f48_o.jpg" width="566" height="438" alt="Crawford Church old school sign, Skokie, IL" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20205384@N03/4382471117/" title="Crawford Church old school sign, Skokie, IL by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4382471117_7f5d731f48_o.jpg" width="566" height="438" alt="Crawford Church old school sign, Skokie, IL" /></a>
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
captain54
()
Date: February 23, 2010 06:38PM
222psm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
It does look like a
> "Dick Van Dyke" neighborhood.
you can throw "Bewitched" and "Brady Bunch" in there as well.
-------------------------------------------------------
It does look like a
> "Dick Van Dyke" neighborhood.
you can throw "Bewitched" and "Brady Bunch" in there as well.
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
222psm
()
Date: February 23, 2010 06:42PM
LOL that's cool. does it all still light up? That's got to be an older building or is it newer with a old sign?
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
222psm
()
Date: February 23, 2010 06:51PM
BTW congrats to your lady on her home purchase. It looks like she found a nice neighborhood.
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
captain54
()
Date: February 23, 2010 07:36PM
222psm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LOL that's cool. does it all still light up?
> That's got to be an older building or is it newer
> with a old sign?
its a strip mall with about 7 or 8 shops....it looks like the shops are in older buildings with newer facades.
the sign is totally functional...lights up just like did in 1959 or whenever....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2010 07:38PM by captain54.
-------------------------------------------------------
> LOL that's cool. does it all still light up?
> That's got to be an older building or is it newer
> with a old sign?
its a strip mall with about 7 or 8 shops....it looks like the shops are in older buildings with newer facades.
the sign is totally functional...lights up just like did in 1959 or whenever....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2010 07:38PM by captain54.
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
captain54
()
Date: February 23, 2010 07:37PM
222psm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BTW congrats to your lady on her home purchase. It
> looks like she found a nice neighborhood.
the area is great...some of the homes are beginning to show their age, so you can find a deal if you are willing to go for a "fixer upper"
-------------------------------------------------------
> BTW congrats to your lady on her home purchase. It
> looks like she found a nice neighborhood.
the area is great...some of the homes are beginning to show their age, so you can find a deal if you are willing to go for a "fixer upper"
Re: Unusual subdivision Skokie....Timber Ridge..any info?
Posted by:
garyc0609
()
Date: July 15, 2015 06:57PM
I lived on Hamlin Avenue just north of Church street from 1955 through 1971.
regarding the picture of Church and Crawford......
It was indeed a strip mall from back in the day....
However, what it showing as a martial arts sudio used to be "Elmer's Pharmacy".
And at the other end of the mall was a grocery store named "Happy Foods".
Just thought you would like some additional background.
Though I did not live actually IN Timber Ridge it was a very nice neighborhood to grow up in.
regarding the picture of Church and Crawford......
It was indeed a strip mall from back in the day....
However, what it showing as a martial arts sudio used to be "Elmer's Pharmacy".
And at the other end of the mall was a grocery store named "Happy Foods".
Just thought you would like some additional background.
Though I did not live actually IN Timber Ridge it was a very nice neighborhood to grow up in.
