Peterson Park Facts

Location: Approximately 13 miles northwest of the Loop
Boundaries: Devon Avenue to the north, the North Branch of the Chicago River to the east, Peterson Avenue to the south and Pulaski Road to the west
Bordering Neighborhoods: Sauganash, Peterson Park Grounds, Hollywood Park, West Rogers Park, Peterson Woods
Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap for crime stats on specific Chicago neighborhood, intersection, address or police beat.
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Then and Now

The Native American Potawatomi were the original residents of what is now the Peterson Park neighborhood. The nearby resources of the Chicago River's North Branch provided fish and fresh water, making the area a desirable setting for the tribe's small villages. By the 1850s, Germans, Luxembourgers, and Swedes arrived on the scene and began farming the land along the river's banks.

Pehr Samuel Peterson left Sweden in 1850 and settled in the Chicago area in 1854. A pioneering horticulturalist, Peterson started a landscape nursery and acquired more than 500 acres of property just north of the city. Soon, his prospering nursery was providing trees to beautify many of the city's parks and neighborhoods. After Peterson's death in 1903, his family donated a large tract of land to the city, part of which eventually became Peterson Park Grounds, which lies just south of the neighborhood's boundaries. The enterprising horticulturalist would probably take pride in the fact that his legacy lives on, not only in the title of the park itself, but also in the name of the neighborhood and Peterson Avenue.

Throughout the latter 1800s, the area that is now Peterson Park saw little change, remaining primarily farmland. Near the turn of the century, however, North Park College was established about one mile south of the neighborhood, and developers began subdividing surrounding area for housing.

The population grew quickly from 1910 to 1930, when new bungalows and two-flats were constructed and industry formed along a stretch of Peterson Avenue. The populace continued to climb during and after World War II. To meet the demands of the growing numbers of consumers in the community, the Chicago area's first modern shopping center -- Lincoln Village -- was built near the intersection of Peterson and Lincoln avenues in 1952. After a period of decline in the 1970s and â¬Ü80s, the center has been revitalized with a variety of new stores, a new movie theater, and an abundance of parking spaces.

Today, the Peterson Park neighborhood is a stable community, home to faculty, staff, and students of nearby North Park University and Northeastern University (both just south of the neighborhood's boundaries), as well as families from all walks of life and a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
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Parks

Ask Little Leaguers on Chicago's north side where they'd most like to play, and chances are Thillens Stadium (6404 N Kedzie Ave, 312-742-4870) will be their quick response. Thillens has been hosting Little League baseball and softball games for almost 70 years. Back in the late 1930s, the Thillens family, originally from Luxembourg, loved playing softball on the prairie. They decided to build a stadium for their games, and the Thillens check-cashing and armored car businesses became sponsors of the new ballpark.

Little League baseball, adult softball, and a variety of charity games continued for decades, but in 2005 -- to the dismay of Little Leaguers and baseball fans of all ages -- the Thillens family foundation announced it could no longer afford to fund the stadium. Fortunately, the Chicago Cubs and other corporate sponsors stepped in and made a contribution to keep Thillens open and Little League dreams alive.

Playing at Thillens is a major-league experience for kids. It has lights for night games, and a real announcer who calls players' names over the public address system. Michael Jordan and Billy Williams are among the Chicago sports luminaries who have played at Thillens in annual Chicago celebrity softball games. The stadium has also hosted the miniature "Cross Town Classic" -- featuring the Little League Cubs against the Little League White Sox -- which marks the opening day of the Inner City Little League season. Another popular event that brings crowds to Thillens is the annual softball game pitting the Chicago police against Chicago firefighters. Hopefully, Thillens will continue celebrating baseball for years to come.

Another Peterson Park landmark that has been packing in kids (and adults) for more than 50 years is Novelty Golf and Games (3650 W Devon Ave, 847 679-9434). Boasting two 18-hole miniature golf courses; baseball batting cages with slow, medium, and major-league speeds; a video game room; and the Bunny Hutch restaurant (serving up snacks and ice cream sundaes), Novelty Golf has hosted its share of kids' birthday parties and teenagers' first dates. Open seven days a week until midnight, it's a fun place for family outings, too.
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Real Estate

Peterson Park's solid housing stock includes traditional brick bungalows, Georgians, and English Tudors. A mix of one- and two-story homes lines the residential streets, edged by tall trees, landscaped shrubbery, and green lawns. You'll also find several new condominium developments in the neighborhood, including some specifically for seniors.

Single-family dwellings dominate the neighborhood, with a wide range of architectural styles and prices. The average sales price for a three-bedroom is about $410,000 while some larger homes (with four or five bedrooms) cost closer to $450,000 on average in Peterson Park. Older condominiums start at about $150,000 per unit, while the newer, more modern versions reach prices of $300,000 or more.

North Park Residential Real Estate Info (Includes Peterson Park Neighborhood)

Source: Multiple Listings Service of Northern Illinois

What's on the Menu?

Top-notch restaurants that have stood the test of time await foodies in Peterson Park.

For Italian cuisine, Monastero's Ristorante & Banquets (3935 W Devon Ave, 773-588-2515) is a perennial favorite. Monastero's roots can be traced back to 1962, when the Monastero family opened their restaurant and called it called La Canopy. Today, Monastero's is still family owned and operated, and not only does it serve mouthwatering Mediterranean and continental cuisine, it boasts an annual wine festival, elegant banquet facilities, Italian opera evenings, and more. Monastero's dining room is a work of art, with bas-reliefs and paintings commemorating Sicilian history.

The food at Monastero's is nothing short of amazing. Some of our favorites from the dinner menu include the filet of tilapia Livornese, rib-eye steak Palermitana, and an asparagus shitake risotto that you won't find anywhere else. Some desserts that send us reeling are the cannolo Siciliano and a scrumptious Sicilian cheesecake with chocolate ganache. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and carryout, and the menu choices are extensive. We suggest you visit again and again to try everything!

Via Veneto Cucina Italiana (6340 N Lincoln Ave, 773-267-0888) has been satisfying hungry neighborhood residents for 20 years. Authentic Italian recipes are served up in an intimate dining room accented with warm pastel colors and dark wood furnishings. Banquets, wedding, showers, and other events -- for large or small groups -- are very popular here, a testament to the food and service. We love Via Veneto's specials, which change regularly, but are always supreme culinary delights. House dishes that get our nod are the branzio alla griglia (grilled Chilean sea bass with spinach and beans), faggottini (pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese, pears, smoked chicken, and creamy balsamic dressing), and a Chicago original -- chicken vesuvio with potatoes. Via Veneto is open for lunch and dinner, and prices are very reasonable across the board.

Who knew you could find a quintessential steak house right on Devon Avenue? Peterson Park residents have known about Myron and Phil's (3900 W Devon Ave, 847-677-6663) for years. The venerable restaurant is in its 36th year and is still owned and operated by the same family that started it all. Nobody sets a table like Myron and Phil's. Shortly after being seated, the friendly server brings by a tray of enticing pickled vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers), the restaurant's signature chopped liver accompanied with onions, and a basket overflowing with breads and rolls -- all on the house! Dinner entrees at Myron and Phil's include salad or coleslaw, and your choice of baked potato, french fries, potato skins, rice, mashed potatoes, or creamed spinach. Steaks are cooked to your specifications. That not only means you choose the doneness, you also get to customize your meal by choosing from preparations like Grecian style, teriyaki, parmesan crust, vesuvio sauce, and many more.

Not just a steak house, Myron and Phil's also offers an array of seafood, including broiled salmon and whitefish; fried shrimp, scallops, perch, and Boston scrod -- to name a few. Vegetarians are in luck, too, with six different enticing entrees to choose from. Appetizers, burgers, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and desserts round out the menu. If you can't make it to Myron and Phil's for dinner, stop by for lunch. Can't stay for lunch? Order carryout. Don't feel like leaving the house? Myron and Phil's also delivers from 5 to 9 pm. No wonder this place is a favorite among Peterson Park neighborhood locals.
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Best Shopping Stops

Peterson Parkers know the meaning of one-stop shopping because in this north side neighborhood there is a single location that covers every base -- all under one roof.

The recent revitalization of the Lincoln Village Shopping Center (Peterson and Lincoln Avenues) has brought a bounty of major retailers to the neighborhood. For women's fashions, check out the choices at Avenue Fashions, Catherine's Plus, and Dress Barn. Famous Footwear and Payless Shoe Source offer reasonable prices and a large variety for shoe fanatics. Find just about everything for your home and office at Home Depot and Office Depot. Kids love Gamestop for the latest in mesmerizing video games. Borders, Factory Card & Party Outlet, GNC -- the list of retailers in this bustling shoppers' mecca goes on and on. Don't worry, there's ample parking, so you never have to waste time finding a spot for the car.

If you're searching for a Lladro, Nambe, Franz, Waterford, or Lalique item for your prized collection, look no further than Pierce Interiors (6177 N Lincoln Ave, 773-539-5040). Since 1967, this family-owned store has stocked an extensive selection of gifts and home accessories. And it offers something that seems more difficult to find at major retailers these days: excellent service and a friendly staff who know the products.
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Showtime!

If you live in Peterson Park, a night out at the movies is just minutes from home. The Lincoln Village Theater (6341 N McCormick Rd, 773-604-4747) has six screens with stadium seating and digital sound, perfect for catching that new release or the blockbuster you've been meaning to see but have put off for a few weeks. We like to go to the theater's bargain matinees to save a bit of money, and we've even taken advantage of the management's free refill policy for soft drinks and popcorn.
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Getting Around

For being such a small neighborhood, Peterson Park offers residents plenty of different modes of transportation to get around both the community and the city at large.

Those who like to commute by bus have several options for getting to various destinations throughout the city. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers bus service on Peterson Avenue from Caldwell and Central avenues to the Bryn Mawr Red Line Rapid Transit station, where riders can catch the train to downtown Chicago. Commuters can also get to the Red Line by boarding the Devon Avenue bus at Devon and Kedzie Avenues. It stops at Western, Clark, and Broadway before its final stop at the Morse Avenue Red Line Rapid Transit Station. The Pulaski bus travels south down Pulaski Road all the way to 31st Street on Chicago's south side.

Those who need to get to the northern suburbs of Chicago can simply take the Peterson Avenue bus to the end of the line, where the Metra Milwaukee District North Line's Edgebrook station (6402 N Central Avenue) is just steps away. The train goes all the way to Fox Lake, Illinois, and to Chicago's Union Station on the west side of the Loop.

For drivers, there's an entrance ramp to the Edens Expressway (I-94) a few minutes west of the neighborhood, near Peterson and Cicero avenues. Tooling about Peterson Park is generally easy and congestion-free, as the neighborhood is less densely populated than many of the surrounding areas.
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School's in Session

Peterson Park's variety of schools includes a public high school with a national reputation for academic excellence and an international charter school. In addition to the following list, you can find more information on the Peterson Park neighborhood and Chicago area schools at our Chicago Guide Schools page.

BNOS Rabbeinu High School 3635 W Devon Ave - (773) 267-0770
Bais Yaakov High School of Chicago 3333 W Peterson Ave - (773) 267-1494
Chicago International Charter School (CICS) Northtown Academy High School 3900 W Peterson Ave - (773) 478 3655
Hannah G. Solomon Elementary School 6206 N Hamlin Ave - (773) 534-5226
Northside College Preparatory High School 5501 N Kedzie Ave - (773) 534-3954
Sylvan Learning Center 6183 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 478-0366, (800) 698-9195
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Basic Needs

We've compiled a sampling of some of the places you can get your bare necessities in Peterson Park, from toothbrushes to tomatoes, vitamins to video games.

Transit

Chicago Transit Authority - (888) 968-7282

Post Office

US Post Office 3401 W Devon Ave - (773) 583-8640

Pharmacies

CVS Pharmacy 3950 W Devon Ave - (847) 763-0685
Lee's Pharmacy 6136 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 539-1015

Grocery Stores

Eden's Food and Liquors 3949 W Devon Ave - (773) 539-0200
Northeastern Fruit and Garden Center 6000 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 338-0610

Gyms

Curves 6212 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 267-8810

RESTAURANTS

American Cuisine
Myron & Phil's 3900 W Devon Ave - (847) 677-6663
Old Country Buffet 6125 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 463-5604
Quiznos 6067 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 588-4802
Taco Bell 3511 W Devon Ave - (773) 588-9712
What's Cooking Inc. 6107 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 583 3050
Whistler's Restaurant 3420 W Devon Ave - (847) 673-9270

Asian Cuisine
China Garden 6350 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 588-1230
Hong Kong Buffet 6249 N McCormick Rd - (773) 649-0888
Joy Ribs Restaurant 6320 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 509-0211
Ken's Mandarin Restaurant 6261 N McCormick Rd - (773) 866-1818
Little Hunan 6144 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 583-7770

Bakeries
Panera Bread 6059 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 442-8210

Italian Cuisine
Martino's Restaurant and Pizzeria 3431 W Peterson Ave - (773) 478-5410
Monastero's Ristorante & Banquets 3935 W Devon Ave - (773) 588-2515
Via Veneto Cucina Italiana 6340 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 267-0888

Mexican Cuisine
Campeche 6112 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 583-1680

Pizza
Martino's Restaurant and Pizzeria 3431 W Peterson Ave - (773) 478-5410
Pizza Hut 3451 W Devon Ave - (773) 463-3043

Coffee Shops
Starbucks 6075 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 279-0513

SHOPPING

America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses 6141 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 596-5651
Avenue Fashions 3370 W Devon Ave - (847) 676-3368
Borders 6103 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 267-4822
Catherines Plus 6117 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 478-5690
Dress Barn 6193 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 267-7701
Factory Card & Party Outlet 6133 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 539-5280
Famous Footwear 6201 N McCormick Rd - (773) 478-9275
Gamestop 6071 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 463-4188
GNC 6115 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 739-4120
Home Depot 6211 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 588-5828
Japan Books and Records 3450 W Peterson Ave - (773) 463-7755
Lincoln Village Shopping Center 6101 to 6199 N Lincoln Ave
Office Depot 6165 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 583-5301
Payless Shoe Source 6191 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 478-3325
Pierce Interiors 6177 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 539-5040
Radio Shack 6170 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 279-8551
Sally Beauty Supply 6185 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 588-7021
Smart Jewelers 3350 W Devon Ave - (847) 673-6000
Unique Furniture 6222 N Lincoln Ave - (773) 267-7000

ETC.

Havana Tobacco Company 3360 W Peterson Ave - (773) 279-8000
Lincoln Village Car Wash 6345 N McCormick Rd - (773) 588-5101
Lincoln Village Theater 6341 N McCormick Rd - (773) 604-4747
Novelty Golf and Games 3650 W Devon Ave - (847) 679-9434
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There's a lot of mystery involved in searching for a new homeit starts with the property and expands outward to encompass the street, the block, the neighborhood, the entire city! Every little thing matters from the color of the walls to the attractions of the town. That's why a guide like this one on Peterson Park is so helpful to potential homebuyers. Without leaving the comfort of your desktop computer or laptop, you've got an extensive pool of information on all of Chicago's neighborhoods that includes first-hand descriptions of dining, entertainment, shopping, bars, and events, in addition to lists of schools, hospitals, post offices, and gyms. We've done all the research to carefully craft this one-stop online spot, and create your hub for the real deal on Peterson Park. So as soon as a Chicago loft, condo, townhome or house catches your eye, you know where to come for the low down on the digs around that prime piece of real estate.
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