Did You Know This A-List Celebrity Grew Up in Park Ridge, Illinois?

One of the most famous actors of our time was born in Illinois. Morton Grove, technically, but he attended Park Ridge’s Maine East High School and graduated in 1960.

Everyone knows this legendary actor, but you may not know about the town that played a significant role in his formative years.

Growing up in Park Ridge in the 50s

Park Ridge was a small, affluent suburban community located just 15 miles northwest of Chicago.  Right next to what eventually became "O'Hare Airport", it was primarily a residential area with older homes.  It was known for its safe and family-friendly environment and was popular with families looking to get out of the big city.

Pop Culture of the Time

During the late 1950s, rock and roll was still popular, but the British Invasion was just beginning to make its mark on American music. Television was also a significant power with shows like "The Andy Griffith Show," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," and "The Twilight Zone" all airing during this time.

Harrison Ford is the A-List Celeb Who Grew Up in Park Ridge, Illinois

Harrison Ford was born in Chicago in 1942, but his family moved to Park Ridge when he was young. He attended Maine Township High School, where he was a member of the school's radio club.

He moved to Ripon, Wisconsin to study philosophy at Ripon College and eventually made it to Hollywood where he made incredible cinema including:

• Star Wars
• Indiana Jones
• Blade Runner
• The Fugitive

And a ton more!

Unfortunately, unlike the Andy Griffith statue above, the Harrison Ford statue got denied due to financial reasons.