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Historic Village with Contemporary Flair
Maybe it’s the charming shops, the historic character or
the genuine friendliness of the merchants. Or maybe it’s
the unique gifts, jewelry, exceptional home decor, and distinctive
foods and wines that will catch your fancy. Discover for
yourself why Long Grove Historic Village is often called
the hidden gem in Chicago’s northern suburbs.
A charming four-season village, Long Grove offers more
than 60 distinctive shops, galleries, and restaurants housed
in authentic homes and businesses that date from the 1800s.
Visitors can stroll the cobblestone walks that wind through
the historic downtown and enjoy seasonal lush gardens and
scenic views. And they can make it a quick trip or a day’s
outing, shopping and indulging their tastes with a variety
of food and bakery products, cafés, and fine eating
establishments. Long Grove Historic Village is located just
35 miles northwest of Chicago, near Routes 53 and 83, north
of Lake Cook Road in suburban Long Grove, Illinois.
 This
little crossroads was settled in the early 1800s by German
immigrants who tended their farms and came to town to
buy their supplies and have their horses shod. Farmers
and craftsmen from Alsace-Lorraine, seeking freedom and
prosperity, made the arduous trek across the Atlantic
to America, the “Land of Opportunity.”
When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, many journeyed on to
the Great Lakes area for its good farmland, abundant woodlands,
and plentiful game. The crossroads in Long Grove developed
where two Indian trails crossed. One trail ran northwest
from the Chicago portage along the Des Plaines River through
Buffalo Grove and Long Grove. The other trail came southwest
from the Lake Michigan shore and continued through Long
Grove to the Fox River.
 The
first settlers in the Long Grove area were George Ruth
and his family, who came from Pennsylvania, and claimed
160 acres of pristine prairie land, including all four
corners of the trail crossing. Within 10 years, almost
all of the surrounding land had been claimed. By 1880
Long Grove was a thriving village with two general stores,
two blacksmiths, two wagon and carriage shops, a tavern
(which is still in operation), a hotel, a creamery, three
churches, and four one-room schools.
Today, buildings in the crossroads area are marked with
plaques identifying the original owners and recognizing
their importance to Long Grove’s history. The signature
covered bridge and the village landmarks in the historic
district have all been carefully guarded as the town evolved
into a unique destination for visitors seeking a distinctly
preserved refuge. Though the blacksmiths, grist mills, and
dairies no longer operate, their structures house a myriad
of intriguing shops to visit. In Long Grove, you can wander
through a bit of early Americana with its one-room schools,
early taverns, and general and specialty stores which now
house world-class contemporary shops and restaurants.
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