Glen Ellyn

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Proud of its artistic and cultural pursuits, the Village of Glen Ellyn is world-renown for the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus.  A quiet and mature community, Glen Ellyn is a restful part of DuPage County real estate with very little industry.  Residents maintain a charming atmosphere, promote a rich history, and play host to visitors from far and wide.  And they are good at it!

After decades of steady growth, the 30,000 residents now renew and rebuild generations of homes and other real estate in Glen Ellyn.  Pioneers in the 1830s looking for better lives and a piece of dirt may have settled for one-room cabins.  Today, the patchwork of architectural styles and sizes is hand stitched together, creating a colorful array of DuPage County homes for sale.  The revered hundred-year-old Glen Oak Country Club remains as a landmark in Glen Ellyn real estate, a place where golfers still hone skills.  Other popular spots with lovely golf-course views are homes found near The Village Links.

In 1889 Thomas Hill and Philo Stacy dammed up the town’s stream to form Lake Glen Ellyn, named for the surrounding glen and Ellyn, the Welsh spelling of Mrs. Hill’s name. When mineral springs were discovered the next year, Glen Ellyn was cleverly advertised as Chicago's newest suburb and health resort, and the large Lake Glen Ellyn Hotel was opened to welcome the crowd.

The Glen Ellyn Historical Society preserves the town’s past at a museum showcasing exhibits and artifacts at a location once called Stacy’s Tavern.  Moses Stacy, a soldier in the War of 1812, built the inn in 1846 at the halfway stop between Chicago and the Fox River Valley, most likely frequented by stagecoaches on their way to Rockford.   The historic Central Business District is a now a quaint section of town with shopping and restaurants.

Recreation is still an important pastime.  Lake Glen Ellyn is the gathering point for many private and community activities such as the annual Great Cardboard Boat Regatta.  The Park District’s extensive network of facilities including 25 parks, recreation centers, playgrounds, ball fields, picnic areas, trails, and pathways, also offers over 400 programs.  Both children and adults participate in organized sports and special holiday events.  Softball, soccer, speed skating, football, and baseball players signal the changing of seasons in neighborhood turf. 

Residents and visitors relish the social menu around town.  The August Festival of the Arts showcases artistic exhibits along side children’s activities and live entertainment. The Taste of Glen Ellyn features excellent cuisine, a fair with rides, and live music.  The Village Theatre Guild offers everyone the chance to audition or work behind the scenes.  Truthfully, many famous people have been nurtured in the lively cultural circles.  As the setting for the novel The Girl Who Owned a City by O. T. Nelson, the setting for Winona Ryder's first movie, Lucas, filmed in local high schools, as alma mater (College of DuPage) for comedy legends John and Jim Belushi, the Village bears much talent.
 
Education is a priority in this part of the nation and the area’s excellent public and private schools, including Montessori and parochial, ensure student performance is consistently above average.  As religious services were historically conducted by circuit riders and then churches were built, schools such as the Maryknoll Seminary and other church schools soon followed.  From drama schools to tech schools to large world-class universities, the Chicago metropolitan area has something for everyone—easily accessible by train, bus or car. 

So, fly in via the Midway or O’Hare Airports for a stupendous performance or find a stage and nobly play your part.  We’ll save the applause ‘til you arrive!