DeKalb Times

Home Alone, the beloved Christmas classic, is a film that has become a holiday tradition for many families. The iconic story follows the adventures of Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, who is accidentally left behind by his family as they embark on a trip to Paris for the holidays. As Kevin fends off the bumbling "Wet Bandits," played by Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci, he teaches us the importance of family and the true meaning of Christmas.

While the McCallister house on Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Illinois is widely recognized as the iconic home from the movie, many of the scenes were actually filmed in various locations around the Chicago area. The house itself, with its ten bedrooms and six bathrooms, was not spacious enough to accommodate the film crew and equipment. As a result, most of the indoor scenes were shot at the old New Trier West High School in Northfield.

O'Hare Airport also played a significant role in the film. The scene of the family rushing through the airport was filmed at Terminal C, and the scenes of the family landing in Paris and Kevin's parents trying to return home were also filmed at O'Hare. Additionally, the Murphy's home, where Kevin notices an unfamiliar van parked in the driveway, is another real house on Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka.

Other memorable locations from the film include Graeter's Ice Cream on Green Bay Road in Winnetka, where Kevin runs from the police, and Hubbard Woods Park and the nearby Metra station in Winnetka, where Kevin flees through as well. The Grand Food Center on Green Bay Road in Winnetka, where Kevin goes grocery shopping, is still open today but has been remodeled since the movie was released.

The church scenes in the film were filmed at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette for the exterior shots, while the interior scenes were filmed at another church in Oak Park. And when Kevin's mother, Kate, finds herself in Scranton, Pennsylvania, she is actually at Chicago's Meigs Field, which has since been converted into a visitor center.

The film concludes with Kevin visiting Santa Claus' shack, which is located in Chestnut Court Park near Winnetka Village Hall. It is there that Kevin asks Santa to bring his family back home, reminding us of the importance of cherishing time with loved ones during the holiday season.

"Home Alone" is not just a comedy classic but also a heartwarming reminder of the value of family and the spirit of Christmas. As we watch Kevin's misadventures unfold, we are captivated by the humor and touched by the underlying message of love and togetherness.

So, as the holiday season approaches, let us remember the lessons taught by Kevin McCallister and embrace the joy of being surrounded by family. May you and your loved ones have a very merry Christmas!

Sources: IMDB, Chicago Tribune, House Beautiful

To learn more, click on this link: https://repkeicher.com/2023/12/20/home-alone-a-beloved-christmas-classic-made-in-illinois/