Summit, IL
- About the City
- Geography
- Transport
- Local Cuisine and Culinary Traditions
- Museums
- Sport and Sports Legends
- Universities and Educational Institutions
- Healthcare Institutions and Facilities
Summit is a historic city in Cook County, Illinois, strategically located along the historic Chicago Portage, with a population of 11,161 as of the 2020 census.
About the City
Official Status and Administrative Affiliation
- Official Name: Summit, Illinois.
- Administrative Role: Summit is a city in Cook County, Illinois. It is not a state capital or county seat but is a significant municipality within the Chicago metropolitan area. Cook County is the second-most populous county in the United States and the heart of the Chicago urban area, known for its immense cultural, economic, and demographic diversity.
Founding Date and Age
The area has been known as "Summit" since at least the early 1830s, named for its position on the highest point of the Chicago Portage. The city was officially incorporated in 1890 to avoid annexation by the rapidly growing city of Chicago. This makes Summit over 130 years old as an incorporated city, with a history of settlement dating back nearly two centuries.
Geographic Location and Coordinates
- Geographic Coordinates: 41°47′N 87°49′W.
- Physical Location: Summit is located approximately 13 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The city occupies a low, strategically important ridge formed by ancient glaciers. This barely perceptible rise is the highest point on the historic Chicago Portage, separating the watersheds of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. To the east, waters flow to the Chicago River and Lake Michigan; to the west, they flow via the Des Plaines River to the Gulf of Mexico. The city lies within the floodplain of the Des Plaines River.
- Elevation: The city sits on a low ridge, which is the highest point on the Chicago Portage, effectively separating two major watersheds.
- Settlement Type: Summit is an industrial suburb and a historic transportation hub within the Chicago metropolitan area.
City Type and Economic Specialization
Summit is historically and presently a significant industrial center and transportation hub. Its economy has been shaped by its strategic location on key trade routes. Initially a portage site, then a canal town, and later a railroad center, it is home to large industrial enterprises like the Ingredion (formerly Corn Products) plant, one of the world's largest corn-processing facilities, which has been a major employer since 1907. The presence of the Clearing Yard, one of North America's largest and busiest rail yards, underscores its continued importance in freight transportation and logistics.
Population and Demographics
- Population: According to the 2020 United States census, the population of Summit is 11,161.
- City Class: By population, Summit is considered a small city.
- Demographic Profile: Summit is a diverse and predominantly Hispanic community. As of the 2020 census, 72.75% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race. The city has a rich immigrant history, having been shaped by waves of Irish, German, Polish, and Lithuanian workers who came for the canal and railroads, and more recently by a significant Latin American population.
City's "Business Card" (Briefly)
Summit, Illinois, is a historic industrial and transportation hub in the Chicago suburbs, strategically located on the continental divide of the Chicago Portage. While not a traditional tourist destination, it is a key piece of Chicago's history, where you can find one of North America's busiest rail yards and the site of a 12,000-year-old trading route first used by Native Americans and later by French explorers.
Geography
Rivers and Waterways
- Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal: This major navigational canal, completed in 1900, replaced the older Illinois and Michigan Canal. It runs just north of Summit and is a key part of the Chicago Area Waterway System. It was an engineering marvel that reversed the flow of the Chicago River and continues to be used for commercial shipping, connecting the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. A large center-pier swing bridge was built in 1899 to cross the canal at Lawndale Avenue.
- Des Plaines River: This river flows southwest just west of Summit. Its watershed, which lies on the west side of the Summit ridge, ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico via the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Much of Summit is located in the river's floodplain.
Other Bodies of Water
- Former Illinois and Michigan Canal: Built between 1836 and 1848, this historic canal was instrumental in the early development of Summit and the region. It linked the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River system. The canal was abandoned after the opening of the Sanitary and Ship Canal, and the section in Summit was filled in 1974, later making way for infrastructure like Interstate 55.
- Hanover Park: This park is a filled-in former gravel and clay pit that was once used for local industry and later as a garbage dump before being covered over.
Transport
Major Airports
While Summit does not have its own commercial airport, it is located within the Chicago metropolitan area and is served by the region's two major airports:
- Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is the closest major airport, located approximately 7 miles northeast of Summit, easily accessible via Interstate 55.
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) , one of the busiest in the world, is located approximately 20 miles north of Summit.
Major Railway Stations
Summit is served by its own historic train station, reflecting the city's deep roots in rail history.
- Summit Station (SMT): Located at Archer Avenue and South Center Avenue, this station serves as a stop on both Amtrak and Metra.
- Amtrak: The station is a stop on the Lincoln Service route, which connects Chicago with St. Louis, Missouri. Annual ridership was 16,697 in fiscal year 2023.
- Metra: It is a station on Metra's Heritage Corridor commuter rail line, providing service between Joliet and Chicago's Union Station. The current station features a modern shelter with glass walls, replacing a historic two-story wood frame depot that was demolished in the late 20th century.
Major Highways and Roads
Summit is a well-connected hub for road transportation, with direct access to several major arteries.
- Interstate 55 (I-55) / The Stevenson Expressway: This major interstate runs directly through Summit, connecting the city to downtown Chicago to the northeast and to St. Louis to the southwest. Its construction in the latter half of the 20th century led to the filling of the old Illinois and Michigan Canal bed.
- Illinois Route 171 (IL 171): This route has a ramp in Summit that effectively replaced Lawndale Avenue as a main thoroughfare.
- Archer Avenue: A historic and major road that runs through Summit, originally an old Native American trail and later a stagecoach line. It connects the city to Chicago and southwest to Joliet.
Railroad Infrastructure (Freight)
Summit is adjacent to one of the largest and most important freight rail facilities in North America.
- The Clearing Yard: Located south of Summit, this massive rail yard is operated by the Belt Railway Company of Chicago. Covering approximately 786 acres with over 250 miles of track, it is a "hump yard" capable of sorting around 8,400 rail cars daily. It was built in the early 20th century as a "belt" railway to allow freight trains to bypass the congested downtown Chicago rail network.
Public Transportation System
- Buses: The streetcar lines that once ran down Archer Avenue and Lawndale Avenue were replaced with buses in 1933. Today, the area is served by Pace, the suburban bus division of the Regional Transportation Authority, providing connections to surrounding communities and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) lines.
- Historical Streetcars: From 1901 to 1933, the Chicago and Joliet Electric Railway operated an interurban line down Archer Avenue, connecting Summit and the Argo neighborhood to Chicago and Joliet.
Local Cuisine and Culinary Traditions
Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
While Summit itself is a small village, its proximity to Chicago (about 15 miles) means the region's most iconic food is readily available. The original and most famous version of this is the Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza. It is a unique pizza variant where the dough is pressed into a deep, round pan, creating a high edge that allows for a thick layer of toppings and cheese, which is then covered with a chunky tomato sauce. The order of ingredients is typically reversed from a standard pizza, with cheese touching the dough directly, followed by toppings, and finally the sauce, which prevents the crust from becoming soggy. This culinary icon was invented at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago in 1943 and has since become synonymous with the city's food culture. You can find numerous pizzerias in nearby suburbs and Chicago that specialize in this decadent, fork-and-knife meal .
The Chicago-Style Hot Dog
Another Chicago-area staple found throughout the southwest suburbs is the Chicago-Style Hot Dog. This is a steamed all-beef hot dog served on a poppy seed bun and loaded with a very specific set of toppings: yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt. A cardinal rule for a true Chicago dog is that ketchup is never, ever added. This "dragged through the garden" creation is a product of the city's great immigration wave and the Great Depression, offering a flavorful and filling meal from simple, accessible ingredients. It's a must-try for anyone visiting the greater Chicago area.
Unique Local Ingredients
The Chicago area is also home to unique culinary institutions, such as the Jarosch Bakery in nearby Elmwood Park. This family-owned bakery is famous for its gourmet ready-to-bake dough products, which have become a local tradition for many families. While not a single ingredient, their parkerhouse-style dough, used for making everything from dinner rolls to cinnamon rolls and pizza kits, is a beloved local product that people often seek out and even ship across the country. It represents the region's love for hearty, homemade-style baked goods.
Museums
World-Class Art Museums in Nearby Chicago
Summit itself does not have major public museums, but its location just 15 miles southwest of Chicago provides residents and visitors with access to some of the world's most renowned cultural institutions . The most famous of these is the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) . Located in Chicago's Grant Park, the AIC is one of the most significant art museums globally. Its collection is vast and includes iconic, world-famous masterpieces such as:
- "American Gothic" by Grant Wood.
- "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper.
- "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat .
- "The Old Guitarist" by Pablo Picasso. The museum also holds an extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, including pieces by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Vincent van Gogh, making it a mandatory destination for art lovers .
Historical and Specialized Museums
Just a short drive from Summit, the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago is a must-visit . It is world-famous for its extraordinary collection of historical and archaeological artifacts. The most celebrated exhibit is "Sue," the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever discovered . The museum's collections span billions of years and include ancient Egyptian tombs, dioramas of wildlife from around the globe, and extensive anthropological artifacts, connecting visitors to cultures and eras throughout history.
Another notable institution is the University of Chicago Oriental Institute (now known as the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures) . This is a world-leading research center and museum for the archaeology and art of the ancient Near East. Its museum houses a stunning collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt, Persia, Mesopotamia, and Syria, including massive lamassu (human-headed winged bulls) from the palace of Sargon II at Khorsabad, allowing for an immersive journey into the cradle of civilization.
Museums of Modern and Contemporary Art
Chicago also offers excellent venues for modern and contemporary art. While the Art Institute has a significant modern wing, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago is dedicated solely to art created after 1945. Its collection features works by globally renowned artists such as Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, and Jeff Koons. The museum is known for its cutting-edge exhibitions that reflect the art, culture, and society of our time.
Sport and Sports Legends
Legendary Stadiums and Arenas in Chicago
Summit is within easy reach of some of the most iconic sports venues in the United States, all located in nearby Chicago. These stadiums are not just sports facilities but major tourist attractions in their own right .
- Soldier Field: This is the historic home of the Chicago Bears (NFL) . Located along Lake Michigan, its unique architecture blends its classic 1920s colonnades with a modernist bowl added during a major renovation in 2003. It is one of the most storied stadiums in the NFL, having hosted numerous historic games and events.
- Wrigley Field: The hallowed ground of the Chicago Cubs (MLB) . Located in the city's North Side, it is the second-oldest ballpark in the majors (opened in 1914) and is famous for its ivy-covered outfield walls, the manually operated scoreboard, and the rooftops across the street with bleachers. The atmosphere at a Cubs game is a quintessential Chicago experience.
- United Center: Known as "The House That Jordan Built," this is the arena for both the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) . It is a modern venue that has hosted countless historic moments in basketball and hockey. Outside the arena stands the iconic statue of Michael Jordan, "The Spirit," a major pilgrimage site for basketball fans worldwide.
Professional Sports Teams
The Chicago area is home to major professional teams, all of which draw passionate fan bases from Summit and the surrounding suburbs.
- Chicago Bears (NFL): One of the oldest and most iconic franchises in professional football, with a history dating back to 1919. They have won nine NFL Championships, including Super Bowl XX. Their fierce rivalries include the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. They play at Soldier Field.
- Chicago Cubs (MLB): One of the most beloved teams in baseball, the Cubs finally broke a 108-year championship drought by winning the World Series in 2016. They play at the historic Wrigley Field and have a legendary rivalry with the Chicago White Sox, known as the "Crosstown Classic."
- Chicago White Sox (MLB): The South Side's team, the White Sox have also won three World Series titles, including one in 2005. They play at Guaranteed Rate Field.
- Chicago Bulls (NBA): The Bulls became a global phenomenon in the 1990s, winning six NBA championships led by the legendary Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. The team's legacy is a major part of the city's identity. They play at the United Center.
- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL): One of the "Original Six" NHL teams, the Blackhawks have won multiple Stanley Cups, including three in a six-year span between 2010 and 2015. They also play at the United Center.
Famous Athletes with Local Ties
The Chicago area has been home to some of the most famous athletes in sports history, many of whom played for the teams listed above.
- Michael Jordan (Michael Jordan): Widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and became a global cultural icon. His legacy is permanently etched into the city's identity .
- Walter Payton (Walter Payton): The legendary running back for the Chicago Bears, known for his incredible skill, power, and sportsmanship. He was a Super Bowl champion and remains an enduring symbol of excellence in the NFL.
- Ernie Banks (Ernie Banks): "Mr. Cub," a two-time National League MVP who played his entire Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Cubs. His optimistic spirit and famous phrase, "Let's play two!," made him an icon.
Universities and Educational Institutions
Major Research Universities in the Region
Summit is strategically located near several world-class universities in the Chicago area, making it a hub for academic activity.
- University of Chicago (University of Chicago): Founded in 1890, this is one of the world's leading research universities, renowned for its rigorous academics and influential contributions to economics, law, and sociology . It is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities globally. Its faculty and alumni include an astounding number of Nobel Prize winners, including Milton Friedman and Saul Bellow. The university's campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood is architecturally significant, and its Oriental Institute is a world-famous museum .
- Northwestern University (Northwestern University): Another top-tier research university, located north of Chicago in Evanston. It is particularly famous for its Medill School of Journalism and its Kellogg School of Management. Its alumni include numerous Pulitzer Prize winners, CEOs of major corporations, and figures like Stephen Colbert and George R. R. Martin.
Specialized Institutes and Academies
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) (School of the Art Institute of Chicago): One of the most prestigious and influential art schools in the United States, affiliated with the Art Institute of Chicago . It has produced generations of acclaimed artists, including Georgia O'Keeffe, Jeff Koons, and David Sedaris. Its downtown campus places students at the center of the city's cultural scene.
Healthcare Institutions and Facilities
Major Hospitals and Medical Centers
Summit residents have access to a wide array of top-tier healthcare facilities in the greater Chicago area.
- Rush University Medical Center (Rush University Medical Center): Located in Chicago, this is consistently ranked as one of the nation's best hospitals. It is renowned for its specialties in neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and cancer care. As a teaching hospital, it is also a major research institution. Many famous individuals have sought treatment here, highlighting its status as a destination for complex medical care.
- University of Chicago Medical Center (University of Chicago Medical Center): Located in Hyde Park, this is another nationally ranked academic medical center . It is particularly well-known for its pioneering work in cancer treatment, digestive disorders, and organ transplantation. Its faculty includes world-leading physicians and researchers who are also professors at the University of Chicago .
Specialized Medical Institutions
The Chicago area is home to several nationally recognized specialized centers.
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Shirley Ryan AbilityLab): Formerly known as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, this is the #1-ranked rehabilitation hospital in the United States. It is dedicated to advanced care for patients with the most severe conditions, from spinal cord and brain injuries to stroke and chronic pain. Its innovative model of care integrates research directly into clinical practice.
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago): This is the premier pediatric hospital in the region, consistently ranked among the best children's hospitals in the country. It offers specialized care in every pediatric specialty and is known for its family-centered approach and state-of-the-art facility in downtown Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood.