In 1886 civil and labor unrest in Chicago eventually led to the Haymarket Riot . Chicago businessmen felt that having a military presence near the city would help alleviate tensions within the city and on November 8 , 1887 purchased Camp Highwood . This land would come to host members of the Sixth Infantry Regiment . On February 27 , 1888 Camp Highwood was officially named Fort Sheridan in honor of General Philip Sheridan for his ability to maintain order after the Chicago Fire of 1871 . Highwood provided several business and employment opportunities and following the fire , many of those who lost their home and a wave of immigrants settled into the town . Highwood can also give credit to much of their economic success to the Chicago and Milwaukee Electric Railway . However , with increased transportation it also caused a sudden rise in gambling dens and illegal " blind-pig " taverns which catered to off duty soldiers . This eventually provoked federal authorities to enact the " Highwood Quadrangle " which prohibited the sale of liquor within 1 1/8 th miles of the army base
Chicago Fire of 1871
Great Chicago Fire
Highwood, Illinois