History of Downers Grove IL

Downers Grove, IL was first inhabited by Native American tribes as the land was well know for it’s abundance of fish, game and vegetation. The Chicagoland area was first explored in 1673 by Father Jacques Marquette and French explorer Louis Joliet, who followed the Illinois and Des Plaines rivers from the Mississippi River.

The first to settle in the area now known as Downer’s Grove was Pierce Downer. Downer, a 50-year-old-man from New York State came to Illinois seeking farmland in May 1832. After a three day ride heading west from Chicago, Downer came upon a grove of oak trees among the tall prairie grass. He built a log cabin on this claim of 150 acres of forest and prairie land and was soon joined by his family.

Soon other families arrived as Downer and his family spread the news that there was fertile farmland available in Downer’s Grove. Most of the early settlers came from New England and upper New York State. Education was importance to Downers Grove from the very beginning, as the first school in the town was taught in 1839, and the first school house was built five years later.

Downers Grove, IL held strong anti-slavery beliefs, and many homes became safe havens for runaway slaves. As a station on the Underground Railroad, these homes became the final stop for many slaves who began a new life in Chicago. The small village of Downers Grove sent 119 men to fight with the Union forces, under Captain Walter Blanchard, who was 54 years old. A gravestone remains in his memory at the Main Street Cemetery, though historians question whether his remains were ever brought home.

During the Civil War, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was extended from Aurora to Chicago with stops in Downers Grove, IL. The railroad extension created an easy connection from Downers Grove to the city of Chicago, and the population of Downers Grove began to grow. In March 1873, Downers Grove, IL was incorporated as a village. Situated in the extreme south-eastern corner of DuPage county, the village of Downers Grove was the largest sized town in the county, and was known as one of the finest agricultural regions in Illinois.

With the population growing, Main Street and later Maple Avenue were built as important thoroughfares throughout the village. The area surrounding Maple Avenue soon became a prime residential setting with large homes and mansions, and remains an important residential neighborhood today. Many of the original homes built in the 1890’s continue to be privately owned homes today.

In April 1947, the horrific crash of a Burlington Railroad Zephyr passenger train killed two people, including the train engineer, and damaged the Main Street Station. The crash was caused by the train hitting a large piece of farm equipment.

Downers Grove, IL Today

Due to its strategic location, Downers Grove, IL has grown from a farming community into a popular Chicago suburb. The population has grown over the years as business and residents moved out of the city of Chicago and into neighboring suburbs. The village of Downers Grove is currently near total development and will continue to enjoy prosperity and quality living for all Downers Drove residents and visitors.

Award winning schools, an attractive downtown area with dining, shopping and entertainment, as well as access to public transportation continue to create Downers Grove, IL real estate as one of the most coveted real estate markets in the Chicagoland area.

The Downers Grove downtown area is a popular location, with convenient dining and shopping, a historic movie theatre and train access to the suburbs and Chicago, our downtown has a lot to offer.

Downers Grove, IL Real Estate

Downers Grove offers a unique collection of homes, ranging from new construction to century old homes. Affordable, attractive Downers Grove, IL real estate is available for a wide variety of home owners. Downers Grove, IL boasts one of the lowest property tax rates in DuPage County, and throughout most of the suburban Chicago area. The vast majority of house in Downers Grove are priced in the $175,000 to $275,000 range, and the median home value according to the 2000 Census was $205,900.

A wide variety of housing styles are available, sure to please anyone searching for Downers Grove, IL real estate. Housing styles include Victorian, cottages, split-levels, tri-levels, ranches and contemporary homes. Historic homes are abundant in Downers Grove. The village of Downers Grove, IL is also believed to host the largest collection of Sears-Roebuck Catalog Homes, built between 1908 and 1940. Although most of the new construction was completed in the 1980’s, Downers Grove, IL continues to witness tear downs and remodels of older homes.

Ranch and two story homes are abundant in subdivisions like Denburn Woods, Bending Oaks, Regency Grove and Orchard Brook, offer appealing Downers Grove real estate for growing families. Single family housing ranges from $100,000 to $850,000, depending on number of bedrooms, location and lot size.

New townhouse developments like Mistwood and Villas of Bending Oaks offer luxury townhouse living, with many offering community amenities such as swimming pools, fitness rooms and clubhouses. Condominiums and townhouses are priced from just under $100,000.

There are a select few Downers Grove real estate luxury properties for sale. These estates feature wooded acres and are typically priced from $900,000 to over $1,000,000.