Indian Hill Estates is one of the few Wilmette neighborhoods that was actually planned as a neighborhood. Curving streets, deep front yards and houses by well-known architects make it feel different from the grid east of Ridge Road. It's also one of the places where I see buyers make the biggest assumption about schools.
I've walked nearly every street here for my "walking every street in Wilmette" series. Here's what I'd tell a friend who was looking.
Watch: Indian Hill Estates
Prefer Instagram? Watch it on Instagram and follow along as I walk every street in Wilmette.
Where is Indian Hill Estates?
Indian Hill Estates sits in Wilmette north of Lake Avenue, around Illinois Road. The original 1926 section is bounded by Lake Avenue, Illinois Road and Romona Road. Building east of Illinois Road began in 1928.
Its neighbors to the east are Kenilworth Gardens and the College Streets, around Harper Elementary and Thornwood Park.
Indian Hill Estates history
Shortly before the subdivision began, Wilmette annexed about 1,500 acres west of Illinois Road. Chicago real estate attorney Henry Drucker came up with the idea for Indian Hill Estates. Bills Realty, run by three brothers, started developing it in 1926.
The name came from the neighboring Indian Hill Club, the private golf club to the north. Drucker's wife, Mary, chose the street names.
Architect Philip Maher drew the site plan: curving streets, a 50-foot setback, underground utilities and ornamental lamps. Building standards called for substantial two-story houses with attached garages and slate roofs. That's a big part of why the neighborhood still looks so consistent today.
Homes and architecture
If you like architecture, this is a fun neighborhood to walk. You'll see Tudor, Colonial, Norman, Spanish and Renaissance Revival, French Eclectic, Chateauesque, Art Deco and Modern homes.
George Fred Keck designed 27 houses here, starting in 1927. One of his 1936 houses, built with a welded steel frame and a glass brick stair tower, is called a seminal Modern house by the Wilmette Historical Museum. Other architects who worked here include Barry Byrne, Mayo & Mayo, and Harry and Ben Weese.
The streets include Mohawk, Iroquois, Seneca, Seminole, Blackhawk and Shabona, plus parts of Romona, Illinois Road and Lake Avenue. Recent sales have run roughly $1.2 million to $3 million, depending on lot size, location and how updated the home is.
The Wilmette Historical Museum publishes A Guide to Historic Indian Hill Estates if you want to go deeper on the houses and architects.
Schools: the part to check first
Indian Hill Estates is split between two elementary school districts. Depending on the address, a home goes to:
District 39: Harper Elementary (K–4), then Highcrest and Wilmette Junior High, then New Trier.
Avoca District 37: Avoca West (K–5), then Marie Murphy School (6–8), then New Trier.
Both districts feed New Trier. But the elementary and middle school path is different, and two homes on the same street can land in different districts. I organize my own Indian Hill Estates tours by district for exactly this reason. Always confirm an address with the school district directly.
More on how this works in New Trier School District Boundaries Explained and New Trier High School Feeder Schools Explained.
What's nearby
- The Indian Hill Club, the private golf club the neighborhood is named for
- Marie Murphy School, Avoca's middle school, on Illinois Road
- Harper Elementary, just east of Illinois Road
- Thornwood Park, a neighborhood park near Harper
- The Wilmette Historical Museum on Ridge Road
What to think about before you buy
Many homes here are nearly 100 years old. Slate roofs, original details and solid construction are part of the appeal, and they also mean a careful inspection matters. These posts help you go in with your eyes open:
- How Long Does a Roof Last?
- How to Prevent Basement Flooding
- Outgrowing Your Wilmette Home: Renovate, Add On, or Move?
See current listings and street-by-street notes on my Indian Hill Estates page.
Is Indian Hill Estates right for you?
It's worth a look if you love historic architecture, want deeper setbacks and a quieter, curving-street feel, and want to stay within the New Trier area. Just know which school district a home is in before you get attached. If you'd rather be walking distance to the lake and downtown, read my guide to the CAGE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Indian Hill Estates in Wilmette?
North of Lake Avenue around Illinois Road. The original 1926 section is bounded by Lake Avenue, Illinois Road and Romona Road.
What school district is Indian Hill Estates in?
It's split. Some homes are in District 39 (Harper Elementary) and some are in Avoca District 37 (Avoca West and Marie Murphy). Both feed New Trier High School.
Who built Indian Hill Estates?
Bills Realty began developing it in 1926, based on an idea from Chicago attorney Henry Drucker. Architect Philip Maher drew the site plan.
Did George Fred Keck design homes in Indian Hill Estates?
Yes. Keck designed 27 houses in the neighborhood, starting in 1927.
How much do homes cost in Indian Hill Estates?
Recent sales have ranged from roughly $1.2 million to $3 million, depending on lot size, location and updates.
Thinking about Indian Hill Estates?
Send me an address and I'll tell you which school district it's in and what I know about the block. If you're upsizing before a school transition, start with my free North Shore Upsizing Guide, or contact me.
