About the Village of Frankfort, Illinois

Frankfort was founded in 1855 and incorporated in 1879. The land was inhabited by Native Americans  from at least 1700 to 1840.  There were Pottawatomie Indians, loosely associated with Chippewa and Ottawa tribes.  Then came the French fur traders and land speculators. As many as 50% of the Indians were mixed blood, as late as 1820.  The first real owners of the land in Frankfort Township, in a sense that they came to work and live on the land, were those people who were the first true pioneers and they sank their roots deep in the soil. Their names were:  James Boorman, arthur Bronson, John Fennertz, Horatio J. Loomis, Sylvester Bowen and Harvey Higgins. They made Frankfort what it is today.

While the first pioneers were mostly of English and Scottish descent, German settlers from Pennsylvania made the Village of Frankfort a reality. in the 1840's Frankfort Township was named by Frederick Cappel after his native city, Frankfurt-Am-Main, Germany. In 1855, the Joliet and Northern Indiana Railroad built a line through the present Village and named it, "Frankfort Station.� After the Village was incorporated, the word "Station" was dropped from the name.

 

Learn More About Frankfort's History at the Frankfort Area Historical Society Museum

Recently ranked 36th in the nation's fastest growing suburbs by Forbes Magazine, Frankfort is thriving. Known as the "Jewel of the South Suburbs." Frankfort has been recognized with the Southland's Reader's Choice award for "Best Community.� Experiencing rapid growth, attracting new residents, commercial and industrial businesses, Frankfort is a premier community with award-winning schools and exceptional residential, commercial and industrial development. In 2014, Frankfort was named by Chicago Magazine as one of the top places to live. In 2016 Frankfort was named one of the top ten communities for Illinois families, and voted among the top 12 safest communities in Illinois.

 

Frankfort's historic downtown is home to unique boutiques, quality restaurants, a children's museum and a wide variety of family-friendly community events create a vibrant town center amidst a quintessential small-town setting.

Breidert Green, located at Kansas and Oak Streets, is home to year-round community events including a farmers' market, outdoor concerts and movies, award-winning craft and art fairs, classic car shows, a Fine Arts Fair, a 5k walk/run, holiday events and a winter festival. The Old Plank Road Trail provides over 20 miles of a picturesque bike path winding through Frankfort and provides access to the historic downtown district. Award-winning Prairie Park on White Street features over 13 acres of preserved native prairie, natural plants and a fishing pond.

 

2010 Population 17,782

Current Population: Estimated at 22,000

Mean Household Income $137,803

Median Household Income $111,152
Median Home Sale Price $366,150