Visit the former homes of ‘local legends’ with two-part audio tour. Part I is out now.

History buffs and celebrity gawkers interested in learning more about the storied past of Wilmette are in for a treat thanks to a new and creative effort from the historical society. 

The local museum recently released the Wilmette Local Legends Audio Tour, a two-part, self-guided tour that leads participants outside the homes of some of the village’s most notable former residents. 

Narrated by Sarah Hawkinson, the historical society’s Sunday coordinator, the audio tour takes listeners through 10 different stops. At each stop, the history of the home and background of the celebrity that once lived there is told.

The first part of the tour, which is available here, can be streamed on the historical society’s website. Officials are planning to release the second part of the tour on Aug. 1. 

Ten stops are included in the first part of the tour. Those visits include stops at 725 Ridge Road for Ann Margret’s former home, 1050 Linden Ave. for Ralph Bellamy’s and 808 Greenleaf Ave. for Hugh O’Brian’s former dwelling. 

Part I also features stops at the former homes of Chester Gould, Scott Turow, Jean Miner Coburn, Edward Gorey, Charlton Heston, James Lewis Kraft and Frances Poe. 

Each part of the tour is approximately four miles in length, according to information from the historical society. Officials encourage enjoying it by car or bicycle, or by walking if participants can handle the length. 

Interested participants can download or print a one-page tour overview that includes the map route and an address and identifying photo for each stop. That map is also available at the museum’s entrance at 609 Ridge Road.

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