Large lots and serene natural areas just south of Wisconsin's state line
Wadsworth is bordered by Interstate 94 to the west and Wisconsin’s state line to the north. It is characterized by narrow roads home to sprawling fields, spaced-out homes and a sense of community appreciated at annual events hosted by Village officials. In the fall of 2024, Wadsworth will celebrate its 150th anniversary, spotlighting its longevity and devotion to retaining its rural feel. “Our tagline is ‘The Village of Country Living,’” explains Maurice Cashin, office manager for the Village of Wadsworth and resident of over 30 years. “It has a large architectural presence with big lots, some of which house farm animals from horses to chickens.”
The homes of Wadsworth
Wadsworth’s main roads offer a rural feel, lined with various trees from weeping willows to pines and post oaks. Openings in their cover yield homes that sit back from the road. The community’s larger lots, typically more than an acre, are filled with millennium mansions and new traditional-style homes built at the turn of the 21st century. Those wanting livestock gravitate to these lots due to a 2-acre minimum requirement for backyard animals. Spread about are ranch and split-level homes built in the mid-to-late 20th century, usually sitting on smaller lots. What unites these are mature trees that adorn both front and backyards, as well as a sense of proactive homeownership seen through lawn mower lines and neat landscaping. Alongside this, many belong to a homeowners association, with fees that differ based on what part of the neighborhood a home sits. These houses range in price from $250,000 to $800,000, depending on size and condition, while recently built homes with significant acreage, attached stables or in-home amenities can reach up to $2 million.
Pony rides at Patch 22
Wadsworth Village Park is the community’s busiest, mainly due to its unique playground setup, which includes a giant spinning top and many slides, which sit next to a steep hill, a popular sledding spot in the winter. Dog owners head to Waukegan Savanna Off-Leash Dog Area to let their pups get some exercise in designated areas based on size. There is also a spattering of stables to explore, including Patch 22, which offers pony rides for the little ones and pumpkins in the fall. Meanwhile, local wildlife like beavers are spotted along the wooded trails of Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve in the neighborhood's southwest corner.
Warren Township High School's Super Show
Due to its size, the community is served by four different school districts—however, most fall within Gurnee School District 56. As a result, students from prekindergarten to 2nd grade attend Spaulding Elementary, which maintains a B rating on Niche, before heading to C-plus-rated Prairie Trail school for 3rd through 5th grade. Following this, students attend Viking Middle School, which has a C rating and Warren Township High School. The high school maintains an A grade on Niche and hosts a Super Show put on by its International Club, where students get to showcase their cultures through performances and food.
Eating along West Wadsworth Road
The community is home to only a handful of restaurants, including The Shanty Restaurant, a wood-clad spot off West Wadsworth Road. “Guy Fieri stopped by and loved the area’s rural ambiance and the restaurant,” says Cashin. “He put it on the map, and now its parking lot is packed every night.” The owners also run Captain Porky’s right next door, which is more of a seafood-to-go restaurant. Residents leave the area to go shopping, whether it's heading north to the discount shops in Pleasant Prairie or south to the retailers of Gurnee Mills Shopping Mall. Meanwhile, grocery shopping is done at the nearest Jewel-Osco, a 2-mile drive southeast.
Winter Bonfire traditions
The village hosts several events throughout the year, like its Concert in The Park at Wadsworth Village Park and a community rummage sale. A few of its staple events are its Winter Bonfire in January, where residents get to bring their Christmas trees to build a fire and enjoy the warmth with a bowl of chili, and its Fall Festival. “We get a band and encourage people to come with lawn chairs and a picnic basket,” says Cashin. “There’s usually a bit of dancing as well.”
Commuting from Wadsworth
Interstate 94 lines the western edges of the community and can carry residents south to Chicago, 49 miles away, and north to Milwaukee, a 46-mile drive. Flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport are accessed along a 35-mile drive using the same route. Not far is Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital, which sits 8 miles away, off 75th Street.
Written By
Matthew Simmons
Photography Contributed By
Justin Schmidt
