Buffalo Grove, Levitt & Sons - Part 2

If you ask my husband what I am like, he would tell you I love puzzles and I am somewhat stubborn.  (Ok, he might not have used the word "somewhat.")   Anyway, I have been thinking more about the connection of Buffalo Grove and Levittown.   

In Chicago we think of Frank Lloyd Wright, Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan when we think architectural history.  As a kid of the suburbs with a degree in Architectural History, why do we have to always look at this trinity of architects and always think about their contributions to the Loop, Oak Park, etc?  Someone had to have designed places like Skokie, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, etc.  

Let's take a look at the history of Chicago's Buffalo Grove.   The village was settled in the 1840's but saw its greatest population boom immediately after its incorporation in 1958.  The population tripled between 1960 and 1966.  Dundee was the first state concrete road in northern Illinois opening automobile access.

Below is Buffalo Grove in 1968.   The Levitt& Son's development at the top of the photo is the Strathmore Subdivision, home today to Checker Dr, Twisted Oak, Arbor Gate, Burnt Ember and other streets.   Just below that is the village's golf course that runs on the north side of Lake Cook Road.   Just below that is the Levitt & Son's development that today is home to Whitehall, Plum Grove Circle, Weidner & other streets.

Here's the same today:

Now, back to being stubborn & liking puzzles.   I wanted to see what a house in that 1968 picture would look like today.   Look at the NE corner of Timber Hill & Country in 1968:

Pretty much Pleasantville right?  No trees, houses still being built up the block.   Well, here is that exact same house today:

I love figuring out this sort of stuff!    What did things look like originally?  How did these suburbs that we all roll our eyes at get to be the way they are?   It's all pretty cool to learn about & I welcome your memories and comments.  Thanks!