It’s Official: Gillson Park Listed on National Register of Historic Places

IT’S OFFICIAL: GILLSON PARK, WILMETTE HARBOR LISTED TOGETHER ON NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

Wilmette Park District’s Gillson Park, a cherished landmark on the Lake Michigan shoreline, was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The United States Department of the Interior and National Park Service bestowed the designation on Gillson Park and Wilmette Harbor as an “important work of landscape architecture” that adds “significance to the history of community planning and development in Wilmette.” 

“We are deeply honored that Gillson Park was included in the National Register of Historic Places,” remarked Steve Wilson, Executive Director of the Wilmette Park District. “This prestigious designation is a testament to Gillson Park’s enduring legacy and its profound significance to the fabric of our community. We look forward to celebrating this beloved landmark for years to come.”

Since 1911, Gillson Park (originally Washington Park) has been under the stewardship of the Wilmette Park District. For generations, it has served as a beloved recreational retreat and a focal point for the Wilmette community.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of properties that merit special attention and preservation. Every Illinois county has at least one property or historic district listed in the National Register. Together, they represent a cross-section of the Prairie State’s history from its early settlement to the mid-20th century.

The area is now designated as the “Gillson Park and Wilmette Harbor Historic District.”