Naperville Real Estate

Wheaton

Wheaton is located in northeastern Illinois in DuPage County 30 miles west of Chicago between Glen Ellyn and Downers Grove along Highway 38 on the banks of the East Branch of the Page River. Wheaton offers a friendly, small-town atmosphere with the conveniences of big-city amenities just half an hour away. The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 55,308.

Located in DuPage County, 25 miles west of Chicago and Lake Michigan, this Chicago suburb saw its first huge population boom in the 1950s. But the communitys history precedes its mid-century expansion and has discreetly seeped into the homes of people across the country and the world curious how? Keep reading!

Currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wheatons old courthouse was once home to Charles M. Barnes (of Barnes and Noble fame). In 1837, Barnes started running a small shop right out of his Wheaton home (the old courthouse) and years later his son William partnered with C. Clifford Noble. Together, the two men opened their first store in 1917 in New York City. The company now boasts over 900 stores all over the map, but theres still nothing like heading over to the booksellers original location in Wheatons Town Square.

Erastus Gary and brothers Jesse and Warren Wheaton founded Wheaton in 1837. They each laid claim to over 600 acres of good farmland. In 1848, they gave the railroad three right-of-ways and in return, the area was named Wheaton. Soon the railroad connected Wheaton to other parts of the country. The city grew as other farmers came to work. The city's growth continued when it was named the county seat in 1867.

The schools are excellent and consistently rank among the best in the state, with student performance exceeding state averages in all categories. Wheaton is home to many educational attractions showcasing the town's colorful history and culture. The Wheaton brothers established Wheaton College in 1860. The institution is highly respected and still in operation today.

In addition, Wheaton can claim more churches per capita than any other city in America. The Billy Graham Center, located on the college campus, has a museum, library and archives devoted to Christian evangelism. Over 20 religious publishers and organizations are headquartered in Wheaton.

Wheaton is pleased to have "Cantigny" within its boundaries. This was the home of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Cantigny encompasses about 500 acres of open and wooded land. The estate includes the McCormick Mansion, a premier public golf course, the foremost military museum in the nation (called the First Division Museum), and ten acres of formal gardens, paths and picnic grounds.

While youre downtown be sure to check out Wheatons 758-unit apartment complex, made up of two twenty-story high-rise buildings. Constructed in 1975, this place is noted as one of the citys most famous landmarks. Wheatons downtown district has seen a lot of growth over the years with new constructions like condos and business developments.

Local parks provide a wide range of facilities and recreational opportunities for the whole family. There are over 50 parks in Wheaton, including water parks and a children's zoo. Ball fields, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating areas and acres of undisturbed, natural space are all available, offering activities to suit anyone's taste. Adding to the sense of community are many annual festivals, including Cream of Wheaton, Entertainment in the Park and Summer on the Plaza. The Lincoln Marsh Natural Area is a 135-acre ecosystem made up of prairie, woodland, savanna and marsh. Over 300 species of animal, bird and plant life can be seen year-round. The Arrowhead Golf Club encompasses 221 acres of wooded land and offers 27 challenging holes of golf as well as groomed trails, banquet facilities and a pro shop.

Danada Farms is a 1,500 acre mixed-use development including single and multiple family residences, commercial, office, entertainment zones and public open spaces. Danada Forest Preserve offers hay and sleigh rides and houses an equestrian center. Fishing, picnicking and hiking are favorite activities at nearby Herrick Lake, while bikers and runners will enjoy the town's extensive network of paths, some constructed on old railroad beds.

Over on the north side of Wheaton youll find the national headquarters of the Theosophical Society in America, which holds regular classes and lectures. This place packs in a landscaped labyrinth and tennis court, a mansion with a two-story library and a New Age bookstore called Quest Books. Plenty of well-known speakers including Ram Dass and Rupert Sheldrake have held the stage here. Wheaton is also home to a number of private and public schools and one noted four-year institution, Wheaton College, whose graduates include big names such as Wes Craven (the legendary filmmaker), Billy Graham (the original televangelist) and Rob Bell (newbie Christian speaker who is taking the religious world by storm).

Wheaton is the governmental seat of one of the fastest-growing counties in the Midwest. The community exudes a sense of permanency and stability. A large number of Wheaton residents have called the town home for their entire lives and many local businesses go back for generations.

Wheaton is home to many educational attractions showcasing the town's colorful history and culture. Over 20 religious publishers and organizations are headquartered in Wheaton. The Billy Graham Center has a museum, library and archives devoted to Christian evangelism. The DuPage County Historical Museum celebrates the county's history with changing exhibits and a model of the local railroads. The historic Cantigny building was once the home of Col. Robert R. McCormick, editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The 500-acre compound includes 10 acres of gardens, paths and picnic grounds.

Recreational activities are plentiful in Wheaton and everyone will find something fun to do. Children will love the Cosley Zoo, a small facility featuring domestic farm animals and native Illinois wildlife. Two water parks provide numerous ways to cool down in the summer and offer everything from slides to lap pools to waterfalls. The Lincoln Marsh Natural Area is a 135-acre ecosystem made up of prairie, woodland, savanna and marsh. Over 300 species of animal, bird and plant life can be seen year-round. The Arrowhead Golf Club encompasses 221 acres of wooded land and offers 27 challenging holes of golf as well as groomed trails, banquet facilities and a pro shop. Danada Forest Preserve offers hay and sleigh rides and houses an equestrian center. Fishing, picnicking and hiking are favorite activities at nearby Herrick Lake, while bikers and runners will enjoy the town's extensive network of paths, some constructed on old railroad beds.

The park district in Wheaton is so popular with locals and residents from surrounding areas that it received the National Gold Medal for Excellence by the National Park and Recreation Association three times. One of these hot public outdoor leisure spots is Lincoln Marsh, which has more than 300 species of plants and animals. Theres also Cosley Zoo, founded in 1974, where youll find plenty of families taking advantage of the grounds free admission.

Getting back to its history, Wheatons south side boasts the oldest 18-hole golf course in the nation the Chicago Golf Club. It is known for hosting a number of U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur golf championships. In addition to several park and recreation sites, Wheaton is also home to the DuPage County Fairgrounds where locals delight in the annual county fair. Each July the festival brings in mega entertainers to perform, including the likes of Ashlee Simpson, Plain White Ts, Travis Tritt and Jesse McCartney.

Over the years, Wheaton has seen an increase in housing value with a ten percent jump in 2004 and a steady increase since that point. The average listing price for a single-family home in this Chicago suburb is in the $500,000 range. Newer brick-and-stone McMansions with lavish amenities like heated floors and driveways, vaulted ceilings, mahogany front entrances and circular grand staircases sell for well over a million. Home buyers will find Wheaton also has a good selection of smaller, more affordable abodes in the low to mid $200,000s.

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