Illinois Place Names (Illinois State Historical Society Occasional Publications Number 55, 1989) indicates that the area of Washington Heights historically was also known as Blue Island Ridge, Campbell’s Woods, Dummy Junction, and North Blue Island.
The neighborhood was settled in the 1830s, and its first residents were farmers. It was then established as a suburb in 1869. Railroads were extended into the area in the 1860s. Land was bought from farmers, and subdivided. The area was incorporated into Chicago in 1890.
The population of the neighborhood increased rapidly in the early 20th century. There has been recent redevelopment in the area with one of the largest single family home developments in the city.
The area is serviced by the Metra as well as the I-57 that cuts through the area splitting the neighborhood.
