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WEST DUNDEE  West Dundee is an Illinois village located less than an hour northwest of Chicago. It is small and quaint yet sophisticated. Situated on the banks of the Fox River West Dundee offers its residents the wonderful fortune of living in natural beauty with easy access to one of the nation’s top cultural centers. West Dundee is in Kane County, which is one of the fastest growing counties in Illinois. A 13% increase was reported in the county as a whole between 2000 and 2003. West Dundee is growing even faster. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau report approximately 5,500 people lived in West Dundee in 2000. The estimated population in 2003 was 7,000 and by 2005 it had grown to approximately 7,875. This is a 45% increase in five years. CityTownInfo.com reports that more residents of West Dundee have earned college degrees than people in most villages in Illinois. Most of the populace does well financially and has a fair amount of discretionary income. West Dundee is also a family-oriented village where many residents have young children. According to the same census the median age of residents is 34 years. This is just slightly younger than the average age of neighbors in East Dundee (38.5 years). Of course, such a statistic includes people of all ages. A third of the population is under 25 and another third is over forty. Distance (& Links) To Chicago & Four Closest Main Villages 
 Location & Commuting West Dundee is in the Central Time zone. Its latitude is 42.098N. The longitude is -88.282W. As previously mentioned the village is located in Kane County west of Chicago. It lies primarily on IL-72, which runs east-west through town. IL-31 & IL-68 are the closest routes on either side. The town is situated just 4 miles north of I-90 (which runs directly into Chicago) ensuring easy access. According to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau report 92% of the residents drive or carpool to work. 2% walk to work and 5% work at home (although the number of people working from home has probably risen significantly since the census, because telecommuting has become increasingly accepted). The average commute time for a third of West Dundee workers is under 20 minutes.. The median time for another third is under 40 minutes. The overall national average time is 26 minutes. Metra Rail stations are located in Elgin (five miles south of West Dundee) for the 1% of residents who commute to downtown Chicago via train. Traveling via rail takes just a little over an hour. To Chicago (40 miles/50 minutes): Chicago is southeast of East Dundee. Go southeast on IL-72 approximately 5 miles. Then go east on I-90 W for 35 miles. Population is just slightly under 3 million. To East Dundee (2 minutes/1 mile): East Dundee is one mile east of West Dundee. The two villages are separated by the Fox River. Go east on IL-72 for 1 mile. Population is approximately 3,000. To Carpentersville (3 miles/5 minutes): Carpentersville is northeast of West Dundee. Go east on IL-68 approximately two miles. Then go north on IL-25 approximately one mile. To Elgin (4 miles/10 minutes): Elgin is almost due south of West Dundee. Just taken IL-25 straight down. (You will cross I-90 on your way south.) Population is approximately 95,000. To Algonquin (5 miles/11 minutes): Algonquin is almost due north of West Dundee. Take IL-31.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)....27 miles/30 min. Geography West Dundee sits at an elevation of 761 feet and occupies 2.66 square miles. It is basically the same size as East Dundee physically, but is more densely populated, because almost twice as many people live here. The village is in the Fox River Valley, which was created by glaciers 22,000 years ago. The valley is rich with streams, rivers, rolling hills, bluffs and lakes. West Dundee is bordered on the east by the Fox River. This area is a natural beauty. In addition to the river, the McGraw Wildlife Foundation supports a nearby refuge of hundreds of acres.
Early Native Americans called the region in which West Dundee is located “The Valley of the Foxes”. It is now called the “Fox River Valley” or simply the “Fox Valley”. Illinois was admitted to the Union in 1818 as the 21st state. At that time Native Americans were the only residents of the Fox Valley. However, European immigrants soon pushed local tribes west as far as Iowa. In 1832 the Sauk and Fox tribes tried unsuccessfully to regain their land. Although no battles were fought in Kane county where West Dundee eventually arose, the army’s travels through the region allowed even more settlers to move into the area. Expansion was made easier by army wagons created when they moved westward from Chicago. The first white settlers arrived in the fall of 1834. At that time three prospectors, a couple by the name of “Newman” and their friend, Joseph Russell, staked a claim and built a cabin a mile south of what would eventually become the towns of East and West Dundee. They settled on the east bank of the Fox River. These three initially stayed only long enough to minimally establish themselves. They were not gone for long, however. The trio returned just a year later. In 1835 a branch of the Algonquin tribe (the Potowattomie) relinquished the Fox Valley to the state of Illinois. Pioneers arrived very shortly after the treaty was signed, and most of the region was occupied within five years. Many were originally headed farther west, but once they saw the beauty and fertility of the Fox River Valley they realized they did not need to seek further. Elder John and Nancy Oatman and their family were among the first arriving in 1835. They settled on the west side of the river instead of on the east side like the Newmans and Joseph Russell. The Oatmans were steadfast merchants and publicans instead of being wandering prospectors. Their intention was to establish the region. By some accounts they held a drawing during their house-raising, which granted town naming rights to the winner. Other historical reports say the lottery actually took place two years later in 1837 after more settlers had arrived. Either way--a young Scotsman, Alexander Gardiner, won and named the newly emerging village after his hometown in Scotland, which was called “Dundee”. Originally there was only one town of Dundee. This later became West Dundee after some residents moved east across the Fox River and formed East Dundee. Once the Oatman’s house was erected they built a general store and a tavern. Both such businesses provided a natural meeting place for pioneers scattered on homesteads throughout the area. These establishments were instrumental in the creation of the new community. In 1837 John Oatman’s son-in-law Thomas Deweese platted most of the land that became Dundee. In doing so, he claimed ownership of a large part of the region. “Communication systems” being primitive to say the least by today’s standards many newcomers who subsequently settled there did not know Deweese owned the land. When Deweese hired men to collect extract payment from them or force them to move on many people were understandably surprised and upset! Deweese was more than passive land baron though. He put energy into his land, which contributed to the infrastructure of the region and advanced the local economy. In 1837 he built a grist mill. A short time later he was responsible for the area’s first bridge. Most of the early residents of West Dundee were Scottish and English. In the 1850s, a large group of German Lutherans moved into the area that became East Dundee. The Irish followed. To this day different cultural influences can be felt in the two towns even though they are only a mile apart. The village of West Dundee was incorporated in 1867, four years before East Dundee in 1871. In 1855 William Hill began D. Hill Nursery, which originally specialized in fruit trees. By 1893, the year of the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the operation included evergreens (some of which were featured at that Exposition). From the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s through World War II D. Hill Nursery ran a cattle feed operation too The majority of nursery workers lived on the grounds, but thousands also traveled there seasonally from Chicago via electric car. While the nursery was a boon to local economy, it eventually grew to 900 acres, restricting West Dundee’s physical growth. However, n the 1950s the nursery began selling off its land. Some of it became the Highlands subdivision, which was annexed into West Dundee in 1956. Eventually the Nursery sold all of its land and moved to McHenry county. Approximately 50 years ago some residents began to try to unite East and West Dundee into one Dundee. Such attempts have been unsuccessful to date with the two towns seesawing “in favor of” sometimes and “against” at other times. In the first attempt in 1956, East Dundee approved the merger, but West Dundee defeated it. The tables turned during the second try in 1962. By then West Dundee was amenable to the idea, but by then residents of East Dundee had swung in the opposite direction.
In 2000 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the average family income in West Dundee was $61,220 (That is at least $20,000 higher than the national average). CityTownInfo.com claims the income was even higher---$78,000. Regardless which figure is used, it is presumed to have risen by $4,000 since then, so $65-82K is the current estimated. Therefore, most residents are middle-class or above. Many are college-educated. One of the oldest businesses in the area is actually in East Dundee. Haeger Pottery began in 1852 as the Haeger Brick Company when clay from the Fox River was molded and fired to create bricks. This company produced many of the bricks used to rebuild Chicago after the “Great Fire” 1871. Ownership has remained in the family from generation to generation. By the 1990s 200 local residents found employment there pottery and ceramics for customers nationwide. Out-of-towners and Dundeeans alike enjoy buying directly from the factory. Summer tent sales are particularly popular. It was mentioned earlier that historic D. Hill nursery began selling off its land in the 1950s and eventually sold all of it and relocated. While some of the acreage went to housing a lot of it also went to commerce. From 1973-1980 a 1.1 million square foot shopping mall was created. It is called Spring Hill Mall. It was estimated to have created 1,600 jobs by 1982 and it is still a major employer in West Dundee today. In 1990 Spring Hill Ford auto dealership was added to the area. It offers opportunities to car salespeople. One of the top 20 employers in the Chicago Metropolitan area is Motorola. This multinational corporate giant is headquartered within an easy drive from West Dundee. These offices are located in Schaumburg, which is just 13 miles (20 minutes) southeast of town. Sears Holdings Corporation (formerly Sears Roebuck and Company) headquarters is located in Hoffman Estates, a village just 11 miles away. It takes only 17 minutes to commute to executive and administrative careers there. Sears is also one of Chicago’s 20 largest employers. Sears retail stores can be found in Canada and Mexico, as well as the United States. Prairie Stone Parkway also in Hoffman Estates is an area with a high concentration of technology companies, electronics distributors, and businesses that produce equipment such as gear cutting tools and machinery. Sears Centre Arena is also on Prairie Stone Parkway. It is a major sports and entertainment venue that employs many people. Some people’s careers take them to the Rockroad Industrial Park, which was annexed into the village in 1984-85. An addition to finding jobs at Spring Hill Mall, residents who prefer to work in the retail sector can find employment at Sears’ largest U.S. store located in Schaumburg as well. This Woodfield Mall store is 416,000 square feet. Retail and food service employees who prefer not to commute at all are happy that both East and West Dundee have historic shopping districts along the Fox River. A variety of small, quaint shops, boutiques and restaurants offer jobs in the slower-paced atmosphere of a simpler time.
Residents of West Dundee donated more to John Kerry’s 2004 Democratic presidential campaign than to any other candidate in that race. $2,200 was raised here. (East Dundee was oppositely inclined. There they raised $5,000 for George W. Bush.) Across all other political contests held that year though more money was donated to the Republican party from West Dundee than to any other party.
71% of the housing in West Dundee is owner-occupied. Property taxes tend to be a little higher than surrounding communities, but the average purchase price is relatively reasonable (especially when compared to prices in nearby Cook county). According to City-data.com the average price of a house in West Dundee was $210,000 in 2000. They estimate that within five years the median price had risen $90,000 to $300,000. Median property taxes were above $3,000 in 2000. The average rent was $700 in 2000. People who live here like this area. 59% of West Dundee residents lived in the same home five years ago. Of people who moved to a different house during that time, 38% remained in Kane county. Of people who moved to a different county, 68% remained in Illinois. Life is good here.
The Fox River that divides East and West Dundee offers an opportunity for all kinds of river fun—canoeing, kayaking, floating down the river in a raft, fishing and skating. The Fox River Bike Path winds along the riverbank and takes cyclists and walkers through the historic and charming downtown area in East Dundee (which is full of cute shops, boutiques and eateries. Also nearby is McGraw Wildlife Foundation. It is a wildlife refuge with hundreds of acres. People who join the foundation to support their environmental and conservation efforts can enjoy the recreational opportunities afforded to members. Let’s talk golf. West Dundee has an 18-hole public golf course named “Randall Oaks Golf Club”. It was opened in 1966 by the Dundee Park District. It is a challenging course and includes banquet facilities and a well-stocked pro shop. In 1991 the park district purchased a second course, Bonnie Dundee Golf Club in Carpentersville. This classic course was built in the 1920s and the park district is constantly updating it. 11 minutes south Elgin has two golf courses-- Highlands Of Elgin Golf Club and Wing Park Gold Club. A new clubhouse is scheduled to open at the end of Summer 2007 at the Highlands. Wing Park is the oldest 9-hole municipal golf course. It was established in 1908! The park system here is fantastic! Both East and West Dundee are located within the Dundee Township Park District, whose administrative offices and large Recreation & Fitness Center are actually all located in Carpentersville. That is only a technicality though, because Carpentersville is only three miles away. The Fitness Center has programs for literally every age group (from baby to senior). It contains a large indoor pool that is open year round. Many parks are contained within the district. Two have outdoor pools that are open in the summer only. They are Dolphin Cove Aquatic Center in Carpentersville and Sleepy Hollow Pool in the town with the same name. The Aquatic Center is more than just a swimming pool. A Splash-down Family Slide just opened there in addition to Sandcastle Beach and Discovery Fountain. The park district offers a day camp for grades 1-6 in the summer. It also has organized sports programs of all kinds for all ages of children and adults. Some of the sports included are: baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics, judo, karate, soccer, softball, tee-ball, tennis and volleyball. Here is a sampling of dance classes offered by the park district: ballet, creative dance, jazz, jazz funk, mixed dance and tap. Classes are offered for everyone from parents with tots to kids, teens and adults. In addition to programs in fitness, sports and dance, Dundee Township Park District also offers a variety of nature programs at Raceway Woods. The Insect Inspectors program is available to children grades 2-6. The Goldrush! program is for kids grades 3-6. SURVIVAL! is offered to slightly older children (8-12 years). The following four events are offered to entire families: * Ice Cream Social Adults can enjoy a Plant Lore & ID program. Raceway Woods also has a Scouts & Schools program which either sends a naturalist to your child’s troop meeting or classroom or leads kids on guided hikes. For more details about everything mentioned above visit my to visit my Things To Do page. There you will find links to golf course websites and every program the Dundee Township Park District has to offer.
There are a lot of ways to have fun in the Dundee area in addition to sports and recreation. I feature a few below, but be sure to visit my Things To Do page to learn about many more. Farmer’s Market Shop for fresh produce, plants, arts and antiques in the quaint charming setting of East Dundee. Come rain or shine! Call June Boeckh at 847-742-3432 to sign up as a vendor or for more details in general.
This 1,200-seat cultural center located in Elgin just 5 minutes south provides a variety of entertainment throughout the year. Local talent offerings include dance recitals, choral union concerts and performances by the Elgin Symphony. This intimate theater also presents nationally known stars—both musicians like B.B. King and Willie Nelson and comedians like Bob Newhart.
This is an exciting new festival for East and West Dundee. Visitors can shop for exquisite and unique arts and crafts created by the artists themselves. This is a juried show that does not allow mass manufactured products. Set in the quaint historic district of East Dundee this festival is a step back in time. It includes wine tasting, fun food, a kid’s tent, acoustic music and artist demonstrations. An added benefit of this fair is that one piece of each artists’ work is exhibited on the Artistic Bits website from April until the festival date. Check out the website link in the title of this segment for more details.
Sears Center is in Hoffman Estates village just 11 miles east of West Dundee. It is a large sports and entertainment complex that seats up to 11,800 people depending on the activity. Seating capacity for theater productions is the most intimate at 3,000-6,000. Sporting events seat 9,700-10,000 depending on the sport; 9,700 for hockey, soccer and lacrosse games. The Centre is the home the new Chicago Hounds hockey team. Basketball games hold 10,000 fans. The largest venue is reserved for music concerts. Up to 11,800 people can enjoy music here. All in all more than 142 events are held here annually with a total of more than 750,000 visitors. If it is happening, it is happening at Sears Center Arena! It's my job to know EVERYTHING about East Dundee and West Dundee! Ask me any question. Or request a FREE information package. There's no obligation, and I promise to get back to you quickly...
 NUMBER1EXPERT™ © Best Image Marketing and/or its clients. All rights reserved. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. |
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