Wayne, Illinois

From Chicago Tribune:

Other Chicago suburbs gentrified or decayed their way through the 20th Century, while multiplying their populations. Meanwhile, Wayne persisted, the tortoise to their hare.

"We are frozen in time by intention," said Wayne's village president, "We have no Starbucks or McDonalds because people move here for a different kind of life. We want open space, large lots, wildlife and the equestrian heritage." Indeed, Wayne has long been the village of choice for the horsey set.

Located 30 miles west of Chicago's Loop, Wayne straddles the Kane and DuPage county line. Wayne's population inched up to 2,407 by 2009.

What keeps housing developers at bay is Wayne's 1- to 4-acre lot size minimums. And, the village has no city water or sewer lines. Even the older houses in the center of town, whose smaller lots were grandfathered in, have wells and septic fields.

Prior to 2000, the Wayne Post Office did not deliver. Since it added delivery, many residents still pick up their mail so they can greet neighbors.

Typical of Wayne home sales is the four-bedroom, rehabbed 1800s estate that sold for $1.75 million. It includes a guest house, horse barn and tennis court.

While many Wayne residents keep horses at home, others board them the village's stables.

References:
Wayne: Certainly not a one-horse town. Chicago Tribune, 10/2010.


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