Visit Frederick Law Olmsted’s First Planned Suburb in Riverside

Frederick Law Olmsted: Visionary Planner

Known as the father of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted believed being surrounded by nature was the key to a rich and fulfilling life. With his partner Calvert Vaux, Olmsted designed iconic spaces, including New York’s Central Park and the U.S. Capitol’s grounds. 

Blending Community & Nature

Olmsted and Vaux created a community where form and function followed nature. Inspired by the Des Plaines River winding through the 1,600 acres of farmland set aside for this project, Olmsted altered the land’s grade, moved large trees, and planted native wildlife. He rejected the standard grid design and created a series of streets that follow gentle, natural curves, rarely connected at a right angle, resulting in dozens of tiny triangular green areas and parks. 

Olmsted also recommended wide roadways with lot lines set farther from the road to keep carriages on the roadway and added private roads leading to the houses. By making roads as scenic as possible and adding open areas to private home lots, Olmsted and Vaux’s innovative plan set a template for suburban community planning.

The Creation of Riverside

Riverside was mostly woods and farmland until 1863, when the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad built a rail line connecting downtown Chicago to Quincy, Illinois. The rail line provided greater access to commerce for farmers, merchants, and manufacturers, and the farmland southwest of the burgeoning city became ripe for development by Chicago businessmen seeking relief from the city's crime, dirt, and hustle-bustle. 

Established in 1869, Riverside Improvement Company purchased a tract of land known as "Riverside Farm” and set out to develop “a perfect village in a perfect setting.” They commissioned Olmsted, Vaux & Co. to design the country’s first planned suburb. By 1871, Riverside had several larger homes, a water tower, and a multi-shop building. 

English architect Frederick Clarke Withers designed the Arcade, a multi-color brick and limestone building with pointed arches, projecting cornices, and raised horizontal bands, and Riverside’s first church, a stone building with a series of pitched gable roofs. While Wither’s church was destroyed by fire, his Arcade, widely recognized as America’s first suburban shopping mall, stands to this day and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the financial panic of 1873 left the Riverside Improvement Company bankrupt, and all new construction was halted. Still, when the village’s first government was established in 1875, officials stayed true to Olmsted's original plan. Riverside local George Ashby designed the Gothic Revival Township Hall in 1895, the Riverside Golf Club was built in 1893, and the Burlington Line train station was completed in 1901. 

The vision for Riverside inspired many notable architects, engineers, and designers of the time, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Joseph L. Silsbee, William Drummond, and R. Harold Zook. Even Louis Sullivan contributed a rare residential design, the Babson House, which was unfortunately razed in 1960 before the Riverside Historical Commission and the Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside were established to protect Olmsted’s vision and Riverside’s historic treasures. 

A significant period of residential development came again in the 1920s and late 1930s when many modest houses were constructed on smaller parcels for a growing population. The remaining residential areas were developed during the post–WWII boom, and by 1960, the village was almost entirely developed, but town officials never lost sight of Olmsted’s original vision for “perfect harmony” between community and nature.

The Allure of Riverside Today

A walk through Riverside feels like stepping into a living museum of urban planning. Large yards and parks are incorporated into the overall look and feel of the town, seamlessly blending nature and architecture. Historic homes and landmarks include Victorian, Prairie School, and Mid-Century designs. Gas lantern streetlights, part of the original Olmsted and Vaux design, emit a gentle light throughout the residential areas. 

Architectural Gems

Over 80 landmark structures in Riverside represent nearly 50 years of iconic American architecture. Many are located within its distinctive cobblestone downtown streets and along the scenic Des Plaines River, including:

Victorian Gothic Riverside Water Tower (1871), built by William Le Baron Jenney, and The Arcade Building by Frederick Clarke Withers; 

William T. Allen Residence (1869), a notable example of Italianate design by William LeBaron Jenney; 

the first official government offices, Riverside Town Hall (1895), designed by George Ashby; 

Riverside Train Station (1902), a perfect example of early 20th-century architecture; 

Tudor Revival-style Riverside Public Library (1930) with parapeted gables with gargoyles, cement tile roof, leaded and stained glass windows;

and

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie-style Avery Coonley House (1907), with his characteristic asymmetrical form, low-pitched roof with wide, overhanging eaves, and a tile wall that emphasizes the horizontal lines of the structure, complemented by art-glass windows wrapping around corners.

Nature Meets Community

Olmsted and Vaux devoted more than a third of the land in Riverside to public parks and commons accessible to all, and even today, generous spacing and parkways contribute to Riverside’s open-air feel. Curving streets follow the land’s natural contours and the town’s central attraction, the winding Des Plaines River. Remarkable views are revealed at every turn.

Things to Do While You’re in Riverside

Riverside is a vibrant community in Chicago's near-west suburbs. Whether you’re a history buff, gardening enthusiast, hiker, birdwatcher, kayaker, foodie, or seeker of handcrafted goods on the Illinois-Made Trail, you’ll be glad you visited.

Explore History

Visit the Riverside Historical Museum to learn more about the suburb and Olmsted’s vision through exhibits located within the original water tower. Walking tours of the village are available through the village website and The Frederick Law Olmstead Society of Riverside.

Enjoy Art and Culture

Galleries and local art shops feature works inspired by the village’s unique landscape and natural beauty. Browse through the collection of intricately designed fused glass tableware, lamps, and candleholders at Higgins Glass (33 East Quincy Street), or visit the Riverside Art Center and Freeark Contemporary Art Gallery (32 East Quincy Street) to see contemporary art exhibits by local and up-and-coming artists.

Taste the Local Flavors

Dining options include a mix of charming cafes, local eateries, and family-run restaurants. Pick up a fantastic Cuban sandwich at Cubanito Express (3222 South Harlem Avenue) or flavorful empanadas at Empanadus (7 East Burlington Street). Sit down to a menu of comfort foods that changes daily at The Chew Chew (33 East Burlington Street) or pizza and other Italian favorites at La Barra (2 East Burlington Street). Or stop at Quincy Street Distillery (9 East Quincy Street) for a taste of homemade whiskey or gin.

Outdoor Activities

A day in the village of Riverside, Illinois, takes you back to a friendlier era. Whether you take a stroll along the Des Plaines River, do some leaf-peeping or bird-watching in the expansive green spaces, or enjoy a picnic at Swan Pond Park, you're sure to leave with a new point of view on how serene the intersection between nature and urban living can be.

Getting There

Just 12 miles from the Chicago Loop, I-290 W or I-55 S will take you about 40 minutes by car, and Riverside is also easily accessible by the Metra Commuter Rail BSNF line—as little as 30 minutes from Chicago’s Ogilvie Transportation Center to Riverside’s train station and iconic downtown.

Riverside, IL - Connecting Past to Present

Included in the PBS series 10 Towns that Changed America, Riverside was a bold experiment in landscape and architecture that continues to influence suburban design. You need to experience it to see why.

Plan your visit to Riverside today.

Additional Olmstad FAQs

What is Frederick Law Olmsted best known for?

Frederick Law Olmsted is best known as a pioneering landscape architect who designed some of the most iconic parks and public spaces in the United States. His works include New York City’s Central Park, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and the U.S. Capitol Grounds in Washington, D.C. He is also credited with coining the term "landscape architecture," which he elevated to a respected profession in the 19th century.

Did Olmsted only design parks?

No, Olmsted’s designs extended far beyond parks. His work included university campuses like Stanford University in California, residential communities like Riverside, IL, and grand estates like the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, created for the Vanderbilt family. His designs also contributed to the preservation of natural landmarks like Yosemite and Niagara Falls, and he played a major role in urban planning with projects like Boston's Emerald Necklace and Montreal's Mount Royal Park.

What other historical events was Olmsted involved in?

Before becoming a landscape architect, Olmsted played a significant role during the Civil War as the executive secretary of the U.S. Sanitary Commission, the precursor to the American Red Cross. He organized medical care and supplies for Union soldiers, showcasing his skill in logistics and management. Later, he contributed to planning the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and preserving Niagara Reservation, ensuring the natural beauty of Niagara Falls would remain accessible to the public.

Did Frederick Law Olmsted work alone?

Although he is widely celebrated, Olmsted often collaborated with others, including his business partner Calvert Vaux, and later, his sons Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and John Charles Olmsted, who continued his legacy through the Olmsted Firm. The firm went on to design notable projects like Detroit’s Belle Isle, Jackson Park in Chicago, and Staten Island’s Staten Island Greenbelt.

Where can I visit sites connected to Olmsted today?

Many of Olmsted’s works are now protected as National Historic Sites or under the care of the National Park Service. You can visit his home and office in Brookline, Massachusetts, now the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, which preserves his extensive archive, the Olmsted Papers, and many original plans. Other Olmsted-designed spaces include Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, and Hartford’s Bushnell Park in Connecticut.

How did Olmsted influence modern landscape design?

Olmsted’s approach to landscape design emphasized creating spaces that blended functionality with natural beauty, aiming to foster community and improve public health. His work influenced urban planning, park design, and conservation efforts worldwide. Cities like Buffalo, Boston, and Detroit still feature interconnected Olmsted Parks designed to bring green spaces to urban environments. His philosophy of integrating nature into urban life continues to shape landscapes across the U.S. and beyond.

What’s the connection between Olmsted and major institutions like Yale and the U.S. Capitol?

Olmsted’s influence extended to major educational and government institutions. He designed the grounds for prestigious universities such as Yale and Stanford University, as well as the U.S. Capitol Grounds in Washington, D.C. These projects showcase the versatility of his landscape architect skills and his ability to adapt his designs to different settings and purposes.

From Montreal’s Mount Royal Park to Niagara Falls, Olmsted’s work has left an indelible mark on cities, natural landmarks, and public spaces throughout North America. His designs remain a testament to his enduring vision of harmony between people and the natural world.