Located northwest of downtown Chicago, just north of O'Hare International Airport, The Des Plaines River Valley was first settled by the Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Chippewa Native Americans. The area was initially named the Town of Rand after Socrates Rand, one of the region's first settlers, and later renamed Des Plaines after the river that runs through the community. Des Plaines expanded rapidly after World War II as a result of the development of the nearby airport. Des Plaines offers ample recreational opportunities thanks to the Des Plaines Park District and the Mt. Prospect Park District. The park districts, along with the Cook County Forest Preserve, provide residents with 18-hole golf courses, a mini golf course, boating, swimming pools, a health club, horseback riding trails and nearly 700 acres of parks and open space. Residents enjoy a number of popular attractions such as Allstate Arena and Rosemont Theatre, which are located just north of the community in Rosemont. Des Plaines is also recognized as the home of the McDonald's #1 Store Museum, which is a replica of the original McDonald's restaurant.
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