Evanston City is in Cook County and 12 miles from downtown Chicago. The city is surrounded by Skokie, Wilmette, and part of Lake Michigan. It is home to Northwestern University.

The area was originally swampy forest and wetlands, but there were trails on higher ground that the Potawatomi Native Americans used. They also had a number of settlements in dryer areas. French explorers settled in the area in 1836 and called it "Grosse Pointe". 

Northwestern University was founded in 1851 by a group of Methodist businessmen. The township was renamed after John Evans, one of the founders, in 1857.

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Evanston is a beautiful and peaceful city for a wedding. We found resources for all your wedding planning needs including wedding dress shops, entertainment, wedding flowers, photographers, and venues. You can have your reception at the Hilton Garden Inn and utilize the 4,800 square feet of banquet space. The hotel can reserve rooms for out of town guests and has in house catering services that will work with your taste and budget to plan the perfect menu. 

The city has 76 parks and multiple museums and recreation centers for you to enjoy. You can stroll along the lake, view the art gallery at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, or visit the historic Grosse Point Lighthouse. The winters are usually very cold with temperatures dropping to the 20's, so plan your activities accordingly.