Cruise west from Chicago, past Naperville real estate, Aurora, and the Fox River and look for two more pleasant historic Illinois communities perfect for family life. The Village of Elburn and the Village of Sugar Grove are the epitome of friendly communities along southwestern Kane County real estate.
Imagine real estate along Elburn’s beautiful streets. Honored as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, Elburn’s homes have recently expanded styles from historic to newer 1990s varieties for her 4,000 residents. Her southern neighbor, Sugar Grove, began in what is now Bliss Woods Forest Preserve and is home to over 8,000 residents. Elburn real estate and Sugar Grove real estate includes a variety of single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums in a wide range of prices. Take a drive through these towns that are now just a 40-mile train ride from the employment options and amenities of Chicago. Quiet subdivisions like Blackberry Creek, Prairie Park, Windstone, Black Walnut Trails, Mallard Point, Strafford Woods, and the newer developments of Windsor Pointe and Walnut Woods are not too far from the East West Tollway.
William Lance and his family and the Isbells and friends settled these parts in the 1830s. Historically renowned for farming and dairy, the 20th-century wars shuffled things around a bit. More people moved into manufacturing and then, after WWII and the G.I. Bill, went off to college. The railroad played an important role in shipping food and dairy products as well as bringing new people into the area. In fact, because of the railroad, the original name Blackberry was changed to Melbourne, then Elbourne (“El" meaning “mighty” and “Bourne”, Scottish for “small stream”). The other town, “Sin-Qua-Sip,” is Native American for “Sugar Grove.” The modern era of the automobile and truck reduced the dependence upon the railroad and only in 2005 did the Metra begin to provide passenger rail service to Chicago.
The villages host a number of annual events like the Golf Outing, Day in the Park celebrating America's freedom the Sunday after July 4th, with picnics and excellent firework display. The Elburn Days Parade concludes with concerts in Lion's Park as the unofficial end of summer. The Christmas Walk and Christmas Stroll through the downtown shopping area is a fun community way to kick off holiday shopping. And there are other fine festivals nearby in the Fox Valley.
One noteworthy story escaped slave Jim McGruder who joined the Union Army where he met a local student who was injured in the war. The medical student brought Mr. McGruder to town where he used his special knowledge to successfully treat injured and sick animals. The children brought their sick pets to Jim for healing, which he accomplished for free. When he died in 1894, he was buried in a pauper's grave and the children inscribed the words "The Children's Friend" in on a wooden marker there. A teacher recently revived this story and her children were so moved that they raised the money to replace the worn out marker with an enduring granite stone.
Jim is part of the area tradition of volunteering and helping, which is the backbone of the communities. From the American Legion to the largest Lions Club in the state to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H to helping with community events and take care of one another, these down-home attributes seem to keep the inner peace and joy alive.
The fairly young populace moving here is yearning for these “old fashioned” traits that are more difficult to spot in the larger cities. They are happy to find an affordable cost of living, great educational options, and community sports leagues. And McDonald’s does hand out hamburgers from a store located on an old farm road. Who would have guessed back in the farming days? Life in these lovely hamlets is progressing. New post offices, new business sectors and new developments welcome you.
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