Life in Sheridan moves slowly, with space to spread out
Just east of the Fox River, Sheridan has a rural pace of life and plenty of space to spread out. "It's still a small, neighborly town, though not as much as when I was growing up here 40 years ago," says Leslie Johnson, an assistant at the local Robert W. Rowe Public Library. A quaint village center has a few essentials, but there isn't much in the way of city development. "If you don't live right in town, most of the time you're a farmer," Johnson says. "We're a big farming community." The Sheridan area has also seen an influx of modern subdivisions in the last 30 years, appealing to homebuyers looking for the seclusion of the country within 2 hours of Chicago .
Small-town living with 20th-century homes and modern subdivisions
Although homes within the village are often from the early 1900s, much of the construction in this area occurred more recently, from the 1970s to the 2000s. Sheridan's gridded streets quickly lead out into country fields where homes have private driveways. From $225,000 to $325,000, buyers can find ranch-style homes and split-levels with less than an acre of land. Properties with several acres range from $325,000 to $400,000, and New Traditional homes in upscale subdivisions go for $400,000 to $600,000.
The Fox River has flooded in the past, but properties within the village were largely unaffected thanks to large gravel pits along the river banks. According to First Street, the area's flood risk is moderate.
Local schools offer dual-credit and career-focused courses
Within the village, kids can attend Sheridan Elementary School, which is rated B by Niche. Serena middle and high schools are about 6 miles away, and both receive a B-minus. High school students can take dual-credit courses with Illinois Valley Community College or explore vocations like culinary arts or welding at Indian Valley Vocational Center.
Kayaking, hiking and hunting spots along the Fox River
Sheridan has a central community park with a playground and pavilions. Less than 10 miles south, Pirate's Cay Indoor Waterpark offers day passes, and the nearby Norway Motorsports Park has go-kart racing. However, the largest outdoor attraction in the area is the Fox River, which is lined with hiking areas and campgrounds. To get out on the water, there's a kayak launch available at the Last Resort bar, just north of Sheridan. Fifteen miles away, the riverside Silver Spring State Fish and Wildlife Area also has a boat launch, hunting grounds, snowmobile trails and an archery range.
Local diners and dive bars are longtime community favorites
Calico Cafe has a small-town diner feel, serving comfort dishes like biscuits and gravy. A few miles north, Old Mill Tavern has been a local favorite since 1971 and has regular specials, including steaks on Tuesday and taco night on Wednesday. On a Friday night, dive bars like Corner Tap and Sheridan Elevator are often filled with familiar faces. There aren't many shopping options, but Sheridan Food Mart is a small corner store, and a Dollar General has essentials.
Library programs and holiday events bring neighbors together
The village has several celebrations, including a Christmas scavenger hunt and a Memorial Day 5K race put on by the local American Legion. In addition to fireworks, a favorite Sheridan tradition is also held on the Fourth of July — the toilet bowl race. Residents who want to participate in the fun construct their own wheeled vehicles with recycled toilets as seats, and then race for first place.
The Robert W. Rowe Public Library is a central community spot offering kids' story times, craft activities and four different book clubs for various genres. "We're redoing our website, and our new slogan is 'rooted in the community,'" Johnson says. "We want to be a place that everyone can come and hang out."
City amenities in Sandwich and a large nearby prison
Ten miles north, Sandwich has Art's Food Market for groceries and Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital. The neighboring city of Plano , 15 miles from Sheridan, has a Walmart and an Amtrak stop with trains to Chicago. To drive to downtown Chicago, about 65 miles away, locals typically connect with Interstate 88 or Interstate 55. It's about 70 miles to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
About a mile south of the village, Sheridan Correctional Center is a medium-security prison with a capacity of 2,107. It is a large employer for the region.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
