Images: Icons of Libertyville
Posted October 31, 2015 1:00 am
The car dealer's commercial touting Libertyville as “a beautiful place in the country” certainly is on the mark. But you have to see the village in person to appreciate the atmosphere.
Neighborhoods feature an array of styles from turn of the century Victorians to small ranches and even new homes built to look classic. Parks and paths are filled with dog walkers and families enjoying the atmosphere. Visitors stop to take in the scenery or drop a line from the pier at Butler Lake. The vintage downtown has become a vibrant activity center with a number of new restaurants and eclectic shops.
All in all, Libertyville exudes a comfortable sense of place and a pervasive small town charm that residents and government leaders work hard to maintain.
We roamed around Libertyville taking photos of things that caught our eye. Big and small, obvious and obscure, the images are identifiable to Libertyville.
Look for a new “Icons of ...” town gallery every Sunday at dailyherald.com/galleries and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. On our social media sites, share your favorite Itasca photos with us by using #shareyoursuburb.
A table awaits customers at Salerno's Ristorante & Pizzeria in downtown Libertyville while businesses across Milwaukee Avenue are reflected in the front window.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The School Street development near downtown Libertyville is nationally known for architectural and building styles that prominently feature front porches and have garages in the rear in a traditional urban-style neighborhood.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The softball diamond at the Libertyville Sports Complex features lights for night play and hosts adult leagues every night of the week in spring, summer and fall.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
This home at Lake Street and Brainerd Avenue is among many old or historic structures in and around the downtown.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe on Route 176 is better known as Marytown. It is a ministry of the Conventual Franciscans Friars of St. Bonaventure province.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The Dairy Dream drive-in on Route 176 just west of Butterfield Road has been a favorite for ice cream, burgers, beefs and hot dogs since 1961.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The Liberty Walk on Milwaukee Avenue is one of several pass throughs between buildings downtown.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
Lakeside Cemetery overlooking Butler Lake was established in the 1840s and is the burial place for some of the town's pioneers including Tobias Wynkoop, Horace Butler, and Calvin Appley.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The Aloha Falls miniature golf facility at Peterson Road and Route 45 has two Hawaiian-themed courses, including one with a waterfall.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The Libertyville Township Soccer Complex off Winchester Road has 20 fields on about 110 acres of rolling countryside.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
One of the buildings at the David Adler Music & Arts Center. The architect's estate at 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
A water tower on the west side of town presents a contrast to the autumn sky.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
Originally known as Vardin's Grove, the village's 15 residents voted to change the name to Independence Grove but learned the name had been taken so Libertyville was established on April 16, 1837. This logo was approved in 2006.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
Butler Lake has been a centerpiece of the community for more than a century.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
This structure on Church Street just west of Milwaukee Ave., was built as a post office and served in that capacity from 1935 until 1991. The village owned structure hosts community events and is the home of a senior center.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
All the doors at Rockland School are painted red, an apparent nod to schoolhouses of old. Rockland is a true neighborhood K-5 school and was built in 1927, making it the oldest in town.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
A triangular patch of green is what remains of the One Mile Race Track that opened in 1904 in the area of Carter Street and Rockland Road. It was first used for horse racing and later automobiles and motorcycles.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The gazebo is a distinctive feature of Sunrise Rotary Park, which fronts Milwaukee Avenue in the downtown area.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
An entry sign on Route 176 on the east side of town welcomes visitors.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The Victorian-style Ansel B. Cook home, built in 1878, is the focal point of Cook Park, the center for year-round activities in the heart of downtown. The home, which served as a library for nearly 50 years, has been restored and is open for tours.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The Public Service Building was constructed in the late 1920s by ComEd founder and utility tycoon Samuel Insul. It is one of several buildings in Libertyville listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
Ansel B. Cook designed the town hall building which was used for village meetings until 1929. The American Legion post was given a long-term lease and bought the building, which has been restored to its original look, in 1972.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
There are a number of non-chain businesses downtown including Hansa Coffee Roasters near the Metra train station.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
The Rockland Road bridge over the Des Plaines River was built more than a century ago and completely renovated in 1989.
Mick Zawislak/mickzawislak@dailyherald.com
A former three-bay fire station converted in 1994 into the village hall is known for its ivy covered walls and illuminated clock faces.
By Mick Zawislak/mzawislak@dailyherald.com
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