Located 16 miles south of downtown Chicago and covering four square miles, Blue Island sits on the southern edge of an old glacial ridge and extends northward along Western Avenue and Vincennes Road from 131st Street to 87th Street. According to 2000 U.S. Census figures, Blue Island has a population of 23,463. Its median household income is $36,520, and its median house value is $99,400. It is one of the oldest south suburban communities, and was given its name because of the blue, misty vapor that could be viewed by Indians many years ago.
The birthplace of actor Gary Sinise, Blue Island was established in 1835 as a way station for travelers coming to Chicago via the Vincennes Trail. A large number of the first settlers were tavern and general store keepers, blacksmiths and wagoners. By the early 20th century, Blue Island was dominated by heavy industry including food processing, oil refining, brick making, and railroads. Then in the latter half of the century, heavy industry was replaced with service and retail businesses.
Blue Island's central business district (called "uptown") lines up along Western Avenue. It contains St. Francis Hospital, a branch of Moraine Valley Community College, restaurants and a number of well-known antique stores. An active Main Street Association and Chamber of Commerce have sought to preserve the business districts' historic buildings. Blue Island's Historic Preservation Commission is a legal governing agency that operates under the Illinois Historic Preservation Commission guidelines. Its mission is to inspect sites and properties and provide a certificate before a building permit is issued for any designated historic landmark or any building structure or site in the Historic District.
The Blue Island Historical Society strives to collect materials that help to illustrate the history of the area including its exploration, settlement and development. It also looks at the area's population growth, and involvement in education, arts and sciences, trade and transportation.
Blue Island has eight public primary and middle schools and four private primary and middle schools. Older students can attend Eisenhower High School on Sacramento Avenue or the Academy for Learning on Western Avenue.
The Meadows Golf Club on 123rd Street in Blue Island contains an 18-hole golf course, a lighted driving range and a practice putting green. The Blue Island Recreation Center on 141st Street offers residents a variety of recreational programs along with basketball and volleyball courts, a weight room and a computer room. The Blue Island Park District is comprised of four parks: Memorial Park on Highland Avenue, Hart Park at 123rd Street and Western Avenue, Centennial Park on Vermont Street, Stan's Park at 127th Street and Irving Avenue, and Kiddie Korral at 21st Street and Highland Avenue.
Single-family homes are very reasonably priced in Blue Island. As of June, 2006, many three and four-bedroom homes were priced between $200,000 and $300,000, with a number of them selling for under $200,000.
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Located 16 miles south of downtown Chicago and covering four square miles, Blue Island sits on the southern edge of an old glacial ridge and extends northward along Western Avenue and Vincennes Road from 131st Street to 87th Street. According to 2000 U.S. Census figures, Blue Island has a population of 23,463. Its median household income is $36,520, and its median house value is $99,400. It is one of the oldest south suburban communities, and was given its name because of the blue, misty vapor that could be viewed by Indians many years ago.
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