Ashton is a rural community with deep connections and local industry
Ashton is a village in Northern Illinois surrounded by the abundant farmland of Lee County. The small community has fewer than 1,000 residents, many of whom were born and raised there. “While we have had some new families move in, a lot of people have grown up here and stuck around,” says village clerk Catherine Koks. “There are a lot of extended families, so if you’re talking to someone, you probably know their cousins.” Crest Foods has been a major part of the community for decades, and the food manufacturer currently employs more than 600 workers.
Renovated and fixer-upper homes
About 70% of homes in Ashton were built between the late 1800s and 1950s. Craftsman, Victorian and American Foursquare are some of the most common housing styles, some in need of repairs, others completely renovated. Prices typically range from around $40,000 to $200,000. “One of the main reasons we moved here was for the lower cost of living,” Koks says. “We were able to get a lot for our money.” Other housing options include ranch-style and split-level homes from the mid-1900s to the early 2000s. Some of these homes are on the outskirts of town with views of sprawling farmland. However, these rarely hit the market, with no sales in recent years.
Local restaurants and a general store
A grain elevator stands tall at the end of Main Street, which runs through downtown and its small selection of local stores and restaurants. Some businesses like Huddle Café, a local homestyle restaurant, have been serving the community for decades. Newer businesses have also recently popped up downtown. In 2024, Silver Fox Tavern opened as a local bar and grill, along with CheeseKake Ko, which makes artisan cheesecake. The owners of Huddle Café opened Mimini’s General Store in 2016, giving the community a closer option for groceries. “If you can’t find what you need at the general store, you can take a quick trip to Rochelle or Dixon,” Koks says.
Griffith Park, a library/gym and community events
Griffith Park, the village’s green space, is in a wooded area next to a farm, where locals can picnic under a pavilion and play on a playground. There’s also a splash pad right next to the high school. The Mills & Petrie Memorial Library & Gymnasium serves as a community hub with basketball and gathering spaces for private and public events. Ashton’s Christmas Walk is held downtown and at the library/gymnasium, featuring an illuminated walking parade, carriage rides and a visit from Santa. The Ashton Fall Festival, another big event downtown, has fall foods and activities every September.
College credits at Ashton-Franklin Center Jr./St. High School
Students travel 5 miles to Franklin Grove to attend Franklin-Ashton Center Elementary School, which receives a B-minus grade from Niche. Elementary students take a shuttle bus from Ashton-Franklin Center Jr./Sr. High School in Ashton. The combined middle and high school receives a B Niche grade. Starting in ninth grade, students can participate in the Earned Tuition program through Sauk Valley Community College, earning college credits and up to three years of paid tuition.
Getting to Rockford, other nearby towns and Chicago
From Illinois Highway 38, it takes about 15 minutes to drive to Rochelle and 20 minutes to Dixon. Rockford and the Chiago-Rockford International Airport are about 30 miles away. And it’s about a 100-mile drive to Chicago and the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
