East Dundee is known for the Fox River, special events and business
Proximity to the Fox River is a defining feature of the Village of East Dundee, a far northwest suburb about 50 miles from downtown Chicago . "East Dundee is known for its lively downtown district, where everything is walkable. There's a slew of free events. And we also are known for being business-friendly, with our manufacturing district and trucking areas out east," says Franco Bottalico, assistant to the village administrator.
According to U.S. Census estimates, East Dundee's population is about 3,200. Though the village is mostly within Kane County, Cook County claims a portion. Bridges, including one for pedestrians, lead across the river to West Dundee .
German settlers and brick production are part of the village's history
"The main difference between east and west is the heritage," says Larry Hines, a Realtor with Re/Max Horizons. In the late 1800s, many settlers of German ancestry made the east side of the river their home, whereas the west side had more Scottish settlers. The name Dundee comes from a coastal city in Scotland. Both sides are in the Dundee Township Historical District. Many of Dundee's 19th century buildings were manufactured with brick from Haeger Potteries, which is sometimes called the Haeger Brick Company or the Dundee Brick Company. It closed in 2016 after 145 years in operation.
Vintage and contemporary homes and a senior condo community
Homes from the late 1800s or early 1900s include Victorians, Craftsman bungalows and American Foursquares. Ranch-style, split-level and contemporary homes were added during the remainder of the 20th century. There are some homes dating to the 2000s, but not much in terms of new construction. Prices range from about $200,000 to $610,000. Home sites closest to the river may be susceptible to flooding.
The Village Green of East Dundee is a condo community for people 55 and older. The condos have one or two bedrooms and cost about $70,000 to $120,000.
An enhanced, yet old-fashioned downtown and a mall within a mile
The well-established downtown is undergoing enhancements. "We just built a $7-million parking garage for patrons who come to our downtown," Bottalico says. Among the independently owned businesses are a music store, a bridal shop and salons. Restaurants include Benedict's Eggs and More, Aliano's Ristorante and La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant. Bandito Barney's Beach Club, a sports bar with a beer garden, hosts live bands during warm-weather months. Just across the bridge are Rookies RocHaus, a music venue, and Underground Retrocade, a spot for nostalgic video gamers. There's also an Aldi and a Jewel-Osco on the west side.
About a mile from downtown, the Elgin Mall of East Dundee has everything from well-known brands to salons, candy stores and restaurants. "It just opened a couple of years ago, and it's really growing traction. They've expanded the hours because of increased foot traffic," Bottalico says.
Most East Dundee events are at The Depot downtown
The main event venue is The Depot. "It's like the heart of our downtown, and it's there with our visitor's center, so it's gearing up to be a tourist spot. Our events draw a huge crowd – at times it's over 1,200 people," Bottalico says. St. Patrick's Day is especially popular; it includes the Thom McNamee Memorial Dundee St. Patrick's Day Parade and a leprechaun costume competition. A spring and summer series at The Depot has Motor Monday Cruise Night, Wine Down Wednesday and Thirsty Thursday Street Fest, a live music and vendor event. The Depot also hosts Oktoberfest, which has traditional German polka performances and a scarecrow display and contest. The Depot Market is held on Saturdays from May to late October.
Dickens in Dundee is a multiday festival in December inspired by "A Christmas Carol" by 19th-century British author Charles Dickens. "Our shops in the downtown participate," Bottalico says. "We have something called the living windows, where people pose in costumes and perform roles, like Tiny Tim and Scrooge. Santa sits in The Depot, and kids line up to say what they want for Christmas." The west side also participates in Dickens in Dundee and hosts the three-day Heritage Fest in September.
Community parks, a riverside trail and forest preserves
Outdoor recreational facilities in East Dundee include Lions Park, which has a playground, a baseball diamond, and courts for basketball, tennis and pickleball. East Dundee has access to the multiuse Fox River Trail, which stretches beside the 200-mile-long waterway. The trail links to communities and other local and regional trails, forming a 500-mile network in Illinois.
The Fox River Forested Fen Forest Preserve is a 27-acre nature space south of downtown. The preserve is unique within Illinois for its habitat full of white cedars, oaks and groundwater seeps and swales. To the northeast, the Spring Lake Forest Preserve is made up of 4,000 acres and has over 45 miles of rustic, winding trails. The adjacent Barrington Hills Riding Center, a public equestrian facility, offers convenient access to the preserve's trails.
Besides class time, kids may take part in clubs and an amusement park
The Community Unit School District 300 serves East Dundee, with schools like Parkview Elementary School, which receives a C-plus grade from Niche. Carpentersville Middle School has a C, and Dundee-Crown High School receives a B. The high school has about 30 clubs or extracurricular groups, including Science Olympiad, a chess club and an environmental club.
Santa's Village Amusement & Water Park in East Dundee is an attraction that caters to kids. "It's one of the few remaining children-focused amusement parks in this area," Bottalico says. Highlights include rides, animal exhibits, the Polar Dome Ice Rink and the seasonal water park Santa Springs.
Access to bus routes, medical services and several highways
Pace Bus offers a route to Carpentersville West Dundee and Carpentersville. From West Dundee, another bus goes to the Pace Elgin Transportation Center and the Elgin Metra Station. The Advocate Outpatient Center is in West Dundee. and the Advocate Sherman Hospital is in Elgin , about 6 miles away. State Routes 25, 68 and 72 go through East Dundee and Interstate 90 is to the south. It's about a 27-mile trip to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Written By
Robin Silberman
