Northlake is a city located 16 miles west of the Chicago Loop. The population was 12,375 as of the 2010 census. The city’s moniker is “The City of Friendly People”. The name “Northlake” came from two main thoroughfares, North Avenue and Lake Street. The City of Northlake voted to incorporate in 1944 and failed, but was incorporated in 1949 in an effort to keep Melrose Park from annexing them. The city itself was developed in an area along Addison Creek.Cook County, 14 miles W of the Loop. Northlake, a town that attracted do-it-yourself carpenters, is in the process of rebuilding itself. It is seeking to rejuvenate sagging industry, revitalize business, and bring about redevelopment of older areas.In 1939 the community consisted of farmland. The start of World War II brought industry to neighboring Melrose Park when the Buick defense plant was built on North Avenue. Housing for workers went up quickly and the homes were offered as “shells” and advertised as “semi-finished” Cape Cod and ranch-style houses. This attracted do-it-yourself carpenters as plant employees, eager to save money, liked the concept of adding their own skills to the completion of the houses. Buyers supplied paint and labor for the exterior, and installed electrical fixtures, heating equipment, and plumbing.In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the much-needed water retention basin was completed to help alleviate the flooding problem that occurred after heavy rain.
