Waukegan

The beautiful city of Waukegan is located in the State of Illinois. In terms of population, the state of Illinois is ranked 5th amongst other states of United States of America. It was the 21st state to join the US. Its economy relies heavily on its natural resources like coal, petroleum and timber. The industrial development resulted in a population explosion. The state's industry was a major arsenal provider in both the World Wars. Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Barack Obama were elected as US Presidents while they were residing in the State of Illinois. The jazz and blue culture which the state is so famous for was the result of African American immigration. Equally famous for producing some of the biggest names in entertainment is the city of Waukegan. The city has a total area of 23.1 sq miles. Out of which 23.0 sq miles is formed by land whereas the rest 0.1 sq miles is water. The city is located at an elevation of 669 ft above sea level. The total population of the city, as per the census of 2000 is 91,454, whereas it was estimated to be 90,788 in 2008. 44.86 % of the total population is formed by Hispanics. Non Hispanic Whites form the biggest minority with 30.92 % of the population. 66 % of the population follows the Catholic Church. The climate is one of the biggest plus of the city. Summers are short and relatively warm. July and August are the hottest months when average temperature can reach up to an average of 73 F. June and July receive maximum sunshine. April is the wettest month in terms of precipitation with almost 4 inches annually. Winters extend from October to mid May and have a lot of snow. December and January are the coldest months. In January, almost 12 inches of snow falls annually. The city can be reached via Union Pacific Railroad. It has a couple of airports as well. Pace provide the public bus service.

Father Jacques Marquette, who was a French Missionary and founded one of the first settlements in Michigan, visited the Waukegan area in 1673. It was one of the very first communities of the State of Illinois. In the beginning, it was only a trading post and the area was inhabited by Potawatomi Indians and was called Little Fort. This Native American tribe signed a treaty in 1829 and ceded the land to the government. Since it had a relatively larger population, in 1841 it earned itself the status of County Seat. The population of the area swelled rapidly and within no time it was home to more than 2500 people. Though its name still was Little Fort, it was nowhere near as little in terms of population. So the residents of the area gave it the name of Waukegan, meaning 'trading post'. It is a Potawatomi word and can sometimes also mean 'fort'. Finally in 1859, the city was incorporated. Being one of the oldest communities of the State of Illinois, the city of Waukegan has a rich culture and history all of which is well preserved. For a long time Bowen Park Theater & Opera Company have been quenching the entertainment thirst of people. Genesee Theatre isn't far behind and has also been catering to the entertainment needs of people. Jack Benny Center for the Arts has also done a great job in keeping people happy and entertained. Haines Museum is the prime location of many of the assets of the rich historical and cultural heritage of the city of Waukegan. It has preserved the eons of history that throbs through the veins of the city. Today, it is one of the prime attractions for tourists. Along with that, the city is home to some spectacular architectural wonders in the form of many churches which dot the city. Saint Marks Evangelical Lutheran Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Antioch Baptist Church and Saint Marks Lutheran Church are prime examples of this. In terms of shopping, the city's markets are matchless. Lakehurst Shopping Center, Belvidere Mall Shopping Centers are like sweet nectar for bees busy shopping. Along with that, the Waukegan River offers everything that a river can offer, rafting, canoeing, camping, fishing and recreation. The beautiful city of Waukegan is not only the oldest community of the State of Illinois but it also is the most spectacular place to be in the whole of the State. Due to this very reason, the city is flocked by thousands of tourist every year. If you haven't had the chance of visiting the city yet, don't waste any more time. Pack your bags and get your Waukegan tickets from us!