About Riverside

In 1869, at the request of investor Emery E. Childs, Frederick Law Olmsted and his partner Calvert Vaux presented a plan to turn 1,600-acres of flat farmland near Chicago, IL, into one of the first planned communities in the country. The plan outlined the location of approximately 1,500 single lots and showed multiple village greens running alongside the Desplaines River.  

In contrast to nearby Chicago, Olmsted designed Riverside in a naturalistic style by embracing the beauty of the country. Riverside was one of the first communities to offer both the convenience of the city and the idyllic open spaces of the countryside. Great emphasis was placed on the arrangements of trees and plantings of foliage to create spaces with light, shade and interesting variety. The site was enhanced with curvilinear roads and gentle elevation changes. 

Riverside serves as the realization of Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision for the ideal suburb. Village greens were created to encourage community gatherings and provide space for recreational activities. The village’s charm is aided by gas streetlights and streets named after botanists, landscape designers, authors and others who influenced Olmsted’s work and landscape philosophy.  

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, Riverside’s design and architecture are steeped in history. A historic Swiss-gothic water tower, designed by William Le Baron Jenney, remains a central landmark of the community, and other structures designed by prominent architects, such as Frederick Clarke Withers, Frank Lloyd Wright and William Le Baron Jenny, still stand.  

Thanks to the dedication of Riverside’s elected officials, the unwavering efforts of the Olmsted Society and the Village’s Landscape Advisory Commission, Historical Commission and Preservation Commission, the community remains true to Olmsted’s vision. Their shared commitment to preservation and stewardship has kept the community intact with a high level of integrity, allowing its well-preserved historic district to offer a step back in time with its quaint roads and abundant greenery. Through this ongoing collaboration, Riverside continues to honor its past while ensuring that Olmsted’s legacy thrives for generations to come. In 2025, the Village of Riverside will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a series of community events.