Norwood Park

Norwood Park continued...

It's at the intersection of Milwaukee, Devon and Nagle Avenues, across from a forest preserve and in the northeast corner of the northwest side neighborhood.

The one truly historic site -- if we dismiss the historic reality of a 60-year-old hot dog joint -- is one of Chicago's two oldest residences. (The other is the Clarke House, in the South Loop neighborhood.)

The Noble-Seymour-Crippen House dates to 1833. It was a farm house, built atop a ridge by Mark and Margaret Noble. Ownership changed over the last 175-plus years and so did the neighborhood: Not much farming is done in town these days, and the merry chirping of the birds gets some competition from the hum of the nearby Kennedy Expressway (Interstate Highway 90) -- but the ridge is still in place, and the house (expanded in 1868 and much-restored since) looks terrific.

It's now a modest but sweet little museum, a community center and home of the Norwood Park Historical Society. The interior of the house is open to visitors on Saturday afternoons or by appointment.

The Superdawg Drive-In is beyond walking distance from the Norwood Park Metra train station -- and anyway, being a drive-in it's best appreciated by driving in. The Noble-Seymour-Crippen house is about a half-mile walk from the station, which is do-able.

The catch is, much of Norwood Park's central area is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the entire district is worth a look. This is a concentration of older homes, some from the 19th Century and all in very good shape, and even the newer construction has stayed nicely in scale.

But the streets create a curvaceous maze, and designing an efficient yet satisfying architectural walk from the station that includes the oldest house can be a challenge to non-Norwoodians.

Any walking tour should begin at the Metra station (1907), originally a Chicago and North Western station and now listed on the National Register. Appreciate the craftsmanship of the 1999 restoration and enjoy a cup of coffee or a bowl of soup in the station's Northwest Cafe.

Then cross the tracks, look left and (if it's open) check out the Calico Cat, an antiques store. Close by, same street, is another antiques store, A Niche in Time (same caveat). Continue walking; you'll be on Nina Avenue. If you're a knitter, stop at the Wooly Lamb Yarn Studio and buy the makings for a shawl -- or keep walking to Corens Rod & Reel and have someone custom-tie a fly or two for you.

And here's where the Norwood Park Adventure begins. Corens' corner is the intersection of Nina, East Circle Avenue and West Circle Avenue. It's decision time. There are fine old houses in either direction, and attractive streets spin off the circles (Nickerson Avenue, off West Circle, leaps to mind).

Will either Circle Avenue get you close to the Noble-Seymour-Crippen house unbroken? Well, East Circle will get you closer before East meets West -- the circle is unbroken -- but here's what you do:

When you get your coffee at the station or go antiquing or fondle the yarn or talk trout at Corens, ask someone in one of those businesses to suggest a route. Have them draw a map for you, no matter how crude. Don't lose that map.

The house is on Newark Avenue. If you find it, you have your victory. Now, to get back to the starting point -- this part is easy -- walk on Newark in the direction away from the expressway (you'll know), and eventually you'll come to the Metra tracks. The station will be a couple of blocks to the left, and you'll be able to celebrate your successful trek with another cup of coffee or bowl of soup at the station.

If there's time, hop in the car and check out the collection of antique playthings and collectibles at Gigi's Dolls & Sherry's Teddy Bears; or indulge your inner medievalness at the Knight's Edge store ("A full knight armor set would look great in any entrance!"); or savor the coffees and light meals at Kouk's Vintage Cafe, all on Northwest Highway.

Or head for Milwaukee Avenue and scan the collectible police stuff -- from hats to handcuffs -- at ZJ Sales . . . then look north.

There it is: home of the Whoopskidawg.

For more information about Norwood Park, please contact the Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce & Industry (773.763.3606) or the Norwood Park Historical Society (773.631.4633).