Sandwich sits between farmland charm and suburban convenience
Sandwich is a community of about 7,200 people, past the western suburbs of Chicago , where the land transforms into miles of farms and crop fields. Halfway between rural and suburban, Sandwich is close to a few large Illinois cities for everyday amenities and entertainment, but far enough for the peace of countryside living. "It's more rural and natural than a lot of the surrounding areas," says Bonnie White, a Realtor with One Source Realty, who has been selling in the surrounding area for 31 years. "It's a small, blink-and-you'll-miss-it place." Despite its petite size, the area has diverse housing styles, community-wide events and easy access to a range of natural outlets.
Housing ranges from Victorian cottages to Modern Craftsman builds
Victorian cottages, bungalows and Cape Cods are along gridded, tree-filled streets lined with sidewalks close to downtown. They range between $140,000 and $250,000. Ranch-style homes, split-levels, American Foursquares and Colonial Revivals from later decades make up the neighborhoods slightly farther from Sandwich's dense center. They sell for $220,000 to $350,000. The area's most expensive homes, New Traditional and Modern Craftsman houses, are in pocket neighborhoods and range between $350,000 and $600,000. "Sandwich was growing, and developments around it were planned, but they all came to a screeching halt when the market crashed," White says. "The developments are finally being filled out now." Lots in the recovering developments range between $20,000 and $40,000. Two townhouse developments have units selling between $140,000 and $300,000.
From skating, to kayaking to baseball, there’s plenty to do outside
Milestone Park is Sandwich's biggest park, with a skatepark, a splash pad and courts for basketball and tennis. The park also has nine baseball and softball diamonds and is home to the Sandwich T-Ball Association. Another seven diamonds and a playground are at Sandwich Memorial Park. Golfers spend a day outside at Edgebrook Golf Club, a public 18-hole course with a driving range and chipping green. Hikers, kayakers and hunters explore the Fox River a few miles southeast at Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area, Millhurst Fen Nature Preserve and Millbrook Forest Preserve.
An annual fair and antique shops highlight local character
The first official Sandwich Fair occurred in 1888, after years of casual livestock shows in the surrounding county. The fair attracts more than 100,000 people each Labor Day weekend, with some years peaking at over 200,000 attendees. Events include a 5k race, concerts, food vendors, livestock shows and carnival rides.
Sandwich is dubbed the "antique capital of Illinois" by locals, regional journals and state magazines. The area has many vintage and antique stores, including Old Timers Antique Center, a warehouse filled with 90 booths from over 130 vintage dealers. It's the largest antique mall in the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
Public schools offer respectable ratings and student involvement
Children attend Sandwich Community Unit School District No. 430, rated B on Niche. "Sandwich schools are very good; they always get good grades year after year," White says. Each of the district's three elementary schools, teaching prekindergarten through third grade, is rated B-plus by Niche. Fourth, fifth and sixth-grade students attend Herman E. Dummer School, rated B. Sandwich Middle School earns a B-minus, and Sandwich Community High School earns a B. High school clubs and activities include Media Club, Scholastic Bowl and Speech Club.
U.S. Route 34 and Amtrak connect residents to Chicago
Manufacturing, agriculture production, dairy production and engineering are leading industries of the immediate area, but many residents commute elsewhere. U.S. Route 34 is the area's main road, heading east to Plano and through Chicago's western suburbs. Aurora , the state's second most populous city, is about 20 miles away, and Downtown Chicago is another 40 miles past that. An Amtrak train goes from Plano to Union Station in Chicago twice daily. Chicago O'Hare International Airport is 57 miles northeast, and the nearest hospital, Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital, is in Sandwich
Unique diners are in town and big-box stores are in Plano
Shops, sports bars, grilles and diners speckle Main Street and U.S. Route 34. Bull Moose Bar & Grille serves food in a remodeled antique train car decorated with stained-glass windows, wood paneling and train memorabilia. Menu items include American classics like sandwiches, wraps, loaded baked potatoes and wings. Art's Food Market is a small grocery store downtown, and Aldi and Walmart are a short drive east on U.S. Route 34, towards Plano.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
