1831
The first settler
William Rice made a permanent settlement here in 1831. Pioneers came up the Des Plaines River from the southwest and by wagon along the Sauk Trail, which is still a road today.
Source: Wikipedia: Frankfort, Illinois
Living in Frankfort, Illinois
A historic village about 29 miles southwest of the Chicago Loop, with a downtown on the Old Plank Road Trail.
01 — At a Glance
A historic village with a grain-town downtown.
Frankfort was settled in the 1830s, took its name from Frankfurt am Main in 1850, and incorporated as a village in 1879. The 2020 census counted 20,296 residents. Its historic downtown holds the Frankfort Grainery, Breidert Green and part of the Old Plank Road Trail. The ZIP code is 60423, and the land area is about 15.8 square miles.
02 — History
The story of Frankfort.
The Sauk Trail brought the first pioneers, German farmers built the village, and the railroad put it on the map. A few chapters from Frankfort’s past.
1840s
German farmers
German immigrants arrived in the 1840s. They were experienced farmers, bought much of the good farmland, and started the tradition of caring for the local land that the village still keeps.
Source: Wikipedia: Frankfort, Illinois
1850
Named for Frankfurt
When the county adopted townships, Frederick Cappel named Frankfort Township after his home city, Frankfurt am Main.
Source: Wikipedia: Frankfort, Illinois
1855
The railroad arrives
The Joliet and Northern Indiana Railroad laid a line through the area, and service began in July 1855. The village grew up around it and incorporated in 1879.
Source: Wikipedia: Frankfort, Illinois
03 — Education
A tradition of learning.
Frankfort School District 157C and Summit Hill District 161 serve the village’s grade schools, and Lincoln-Way East High School is in Frankfort.
Boundaries follow the address. Confirm school assignment for each address with the district before you buy.
Search HomesPublic · PreK–8
Frankfort School District 157C
Includes Hickory Creek Middle School.
- Hickory Creek Middle School
Public · PreK–8
Summit Hill District 161
Serves part of the village.
- Elementary and junior high schools
Public · Grades 9–12
Lincoln-Way East High School
A Frankfort high school with state titles in football, track and marching band.
- Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210
Source: Wikipedia: Frankfort, Illinois
04 — Lifestyle
Everyday life in Frankfort.
The trail and the downtown green are where Frankfort tends to meet, from summer evenings to the holidays.
Parks & Outdoors
Old Plank Road Trail
A 22-mile paved trail for walking, running and biking.
Commissioners Park
A large park in the village.
Breidert Green
The open green at the center of downtown.
Around Town
Frankfort Grainery
A downtown landmark from the village’s farm-town days.
Historic downtown
Shops and restaurants in the old village center.
Sauk Trail
The pioneer road that brought the first settlers, still in use.
Getting Around
La Grange Road
U.S. 45 runs north and south through the village.
Lincoln Highway
U.S. 30 crosses Frankfort east to west.
Laraway Road
A county highway across the south side.
Source: Wikipedia: Frankfort, Illinois