3D ultrasound Frankfort

Frankfort, IL, the "Jewel of the South Suburbs", is a village in Will County and Cook County, located about 45 minutes south of Oak Park, (about 30 miles away). Frankfort is one of the fastest growing suburbs in the United States. It had a population of 10,391 in 2000 and is now estimated to have a population of 17,474 in 2009. Frankfort, IL, is also known to be an affluent suburb, with a median income of $107,759, and a median home price of $376,724.

Frankfort was founded in 1855 and incorporated in 1879. Frankfort's recorded history begins with the Blackhawk Indians who lived and built trails in the area before European settlers arrived. This is a history similar to the history of many other south suburbs in the area, including Orland Hills.

While the first pioneers were mostly of English and Scottish descent, German settlers from Pennsylvania made the Village of Frankfort a reality. in the 1840's, Frankfort Township was named by Frederick Cappel after his native city, Frankfurt-Am-Main, Germany. It is to be noted that Frankfort, IL, was never spelled as Frankfurt in any time during its history. In 1855, the Joliet and Northern Indiana Railroad built a line through the present Village and named it, Frankfort Station. After the Village of Frankfort was incorporated, the word "Station" was dropped from the name. Many small towns, including Oak Park, IL, started out as a train station or thrived only after a train station was placed there. Interestingly, although Frankfort, IL, owes its success to being a major stop for a train station, there is currently no way to get in or out of Frankfort currently by train, as the Metra does not reach Frankfort. The closest Metra stop is the Hickory Creek Metra, in Mokena, IL.

Within a year of the founding of Frankfort, IL, a Detroit firm had built a grain elevator in the village, shipping local produce eastward along the Michigan Central cut-off line. During the following decades, Frankfort became a commercial center for local farmers. Frankfort's grainery still stands and can be seen from many places within Frankfort, IL, and is often used as a landmark or for giving directions.

Frankfort is home to many specialty shops, and Frankfort's small-town feel and 1890's-town look is actively managed and promoted by the Village of Frankfort. Many of these specialty shops are located along Old Plank Road Trail, close to the base of the Frankfort Grainery. Visiting and promoting these small mom-and-pop stores is an excellent way of supporting small businesses, which make up the foundational lattice of today's economy. Small specialty shops located in Frankfort, IL, include: All Small Miniatures, a wonderful shop for the dollhouse enthusiast; Bicycle Peddler, a bicycle shop selling many specialty bikes and complete servicing of all brands; Candle Cottage, a candle and gift shop specializing in candles made on the premises; IMAGE.ination, a highly-specialized photo imaging business utilizing digital computer technology; Mitchell's Christmas Shoppe, a quaint Christmas shop for all your Christmas collectible needs; Sharon's Unique Glass, a shop that sells handcrafted stained glass items and offers stained glass classes; Star Visions, a portrait studio in Frankfort, IL; Storehouse of Knowledge, a children's unique gift shop featuring creative toys, classic books, art kits, and more; Village Engravers, an engraving store with gifts for all occasions, also offering etching on glass; The General Store, an old-fashioned general store that is as much a tourist destination as it is a place to buy old-fashioned candy; and my absolute favorite, Treat Street, an old-fashioned shop located in downtown Frankfort, IL, specializing in Sherman's hand-dipped ice cream, soft serve, Long Grove Chocolates, Coffeemasters Gourmet Coffee, fresh bakery goods. This adorable shop offers a wide variety of treats from nickle candy, to coffee, hawaiian shaved ice, homemade baked goods, fudge, and is the only place in Frankfort that specializes in selling Jelly Belly jellybeans, factory-made and delivered fresh from the Jelly Belly factory, either the Jelly Belly factory in Pleasant Prairie, WI, or the Jelly Belly factory in North Chicago (both of which offer Jelly Belly tours which was first made famous at the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, CA).