The
villageA village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet, but smaller than a town or city. Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New York City and the Saifi Village in...
of
Cherry Valley,
IllinoisIllinois , the 21st state admitted to the United States of America, is the most populous and demographically diverse Midwestern state and the fifth most populous state in the nation...
is a small community located on the south east side of
RockfordRockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Rockford is often referred to as "The Forest City" and is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2000 U.S...
in the
Kishwaukee RiverThe Kishwaukee River, sometimes locally known as simply "The Kish", is a river in the U.S. state of Illinois. "The Kish" is famous for its high number of bridges that cross within its 100-year floodplain.-Location:...
valley in
Winnebago CountyWinnebago County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of 2000, the population was 278,418. Its county seat is Rockford, Illinois.Winnebago County is part of the Rockford, Illinois, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and
Boone County, IllinoisBoone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the population was 41,786. Its county seat is Belvidere, Illinois.Boone County is part of the Rockford, Illinois, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. The population was 2,191 at the 2000 census. Its current population (2007) is estimated at 3,042.
Cherry Valley is part of the Rockford, Illinois
Metropolitan Statistical AreaThe Rockford Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in north-central Illinois, anchored by the city of Rockford...
.
History
Cherry Valley was settled in either 1835 or 1839, depending on your source, by Joseph Griggs, and incorporated as a village on January 31 1857. Early landmark events for Cherry Valley was the establishment of a mill on the Kishwaukee river, and the coming of the railroad in 1852.
Cherry Valley was originally called
Griggs Ford, and then other names, none of which were found suitable. Accordingly the leaders in the Village decided to change the name; people could make choices and put their suggestions in a hat. A Mrs. Butler, from
Cherry Valley, New YorkCherry Valley, New York is the name of two locations in Otsego County, New York:*Cherry Valley , New York*Cherry Valley , New York...
placed the name of Cherry Valley in the hat and that name won. The core of the Village, centered on its main street businesses in small brick buildings, is surrounded by several blocks of houses built in the 1800s. This late 19th century appearance is further accentuated by turn of the century style lamp lights as well as the original brick paving along the eastern end of main street.
Relationship with Rockford
Although located close to Rockford, Cherry Valley was far enough away to be considered, for most of its history, not a part of the Rockford community. However, with the advent of modern transportation Cherry Valley became in essence a suburb of
RockfordRockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Rockford is often referred to as "The Forest City" and is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2000 U.S...
in the later decades of the 20th century. As the city of Rockford grew and expanded its boundaries it came in direct contact with Cherry Valley. Since that time there have been land control related issues between the two municipalities. Ultimately these "issues" culminated in a boundary agreement between the two communities in 1991.
Cherry Valley is a contributing member of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC). Cherry Valley has declined to pay for Rockford Mass Transit to operate bus service within the village; given that the demand for mass transit service comes from Rockford residents, not Cherry Valley residents.
However, sometime after mid-2007, RMTD began operating bus service to CherryVale Mall. Bus service to the mall was done without securing permission from the mall; and neither the mall or Cherry Valley was notified of RMTD's actions prior to a press release being issued.
Cherry Valley today
In the last dozen years Cherry Valley has seen a shift towards
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and with more than 2.8 million people, the 3rd largest city in the United States...
, with roughly a third of its new residents being former Chicago suburban residents who live in the Village and commute to work in the Chicago suburbs. Being near to an interchange on I-90 (Jane Addams Memorial Tollway) contributed to this shift, and in 2006 the toll booths on the Cherry Valley interchange and exit were removed because of increased traffic flow and the need to remove the chronic traffic jams that had built over the years.
Cherry Valley is considered by many to be a progressive community within the region. Cherry Valley was the first community in the area to implement a comprehensive, curb side recycling program for all its residents. It was also the first community in the area to require full urban improvements for all new subdivisions (sanitary sewer, municipal water, curb, gutters, sidewalks, etc.) Cherry Valley was also the first community in the region to require subdivison developers to dedicated land or fees for the development of parks and open space. Cherry Valley is a member of the Illinois Municipal League, National League of Cities, International City / County Managers Association, the American Planning Association, and numerous other organizations.
Most of Cherry Valley is within the Rockford School District, with a small portion in the Belvidere School District. There is only one school within the village center, which is named Cherry Valley Elementary, taking children in grades 3 through 5, with village children in grades K-2 going to White Swan Elementary outside the village center.
Geography
Cherry Valley is located at (42.239287, -88.962187). The core of the Village is located a little north of the confluence of the north and south branches of the Kishwaukee river. There is a slight depression as one moves towards the center of the Village, which is a formation of the Kishwaukee river valley.
According to the
United States Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the village has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.9 km²), of which, 3.8 square miles (9.7 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (1.31%) is water. The north branch of the
Kishwaukee RiverThe Kishwaukee River, sometimes locally known as simply "The Kish", is a river in the U.S. state of Illinois. "The Kish" is famous for its high number of bridges that cross within its 100-year floodplain.-Location:...
travels through Cherry Valley's central business district. The largest body of water in the village is Cherry Valley Lake which is situated just east of the Kishwaukee River in Baumann Park. The Village is served by
Interstate 90Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels U.S. Route 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, Washington, at 4th Avenue S. next to Safeco Field and Qwest Field, and its eastern terminus...
,
Interstate 39Interstate 39 is an interstate highway in the midwestern United States. I-39 runs from Normal, Illinois at Interstate 55 to Highway 29 in Rothschild, Wisconsin, approximately six miles south of Wausau, Wisconsin....
,
U.S. Route 20U.S. Route 20 is an east-west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, U.S. 20 is a coast-to-coast route; however, because national park roads do not have signage for U.S. numbered highways, a gap exists through Yellowstone National Park and splits the route into two sections...
and
U.S. Route 51U.S. Route 51 is a north-south United States highway that runs for 1,286 miles from northern Wisconsin to the western suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana. Much of the highway in Wisconsin and Illinois runs parallel to or overlaps Interstate 39. The highway's northern terminus is Hurley, Wisconsin,...
.
Recent annexations (January 2007) to the South West of the Village along the
Kishwaukee RiverThe Kishwaukee River, sometimes locally known as simply "The Kish", is a river in the U.S. state of Illinois. "The Kish" is famous for its high number of bridges that cross within its 100-year floodplain.-Location:...
to Baxter Road and Interstate 39 have increased the total area of the Village to 7.44 square miles.
Demographics
As of the
censusA "census" is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 2,191 people, 857 households, and 623 families residing in the village. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 583.3 people per square mile (225.0/km²). There were 887 housing units at an average density of 236.1/sq mi (91.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 93.98% White, 1.69% African American, 0.18% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.87% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.19% of the population.
There were 857 households out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged by a variety of ways, depending on the culture or demographic...
living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the village the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $59,871, and the median income for a family was $70,833. Males had a median income of $50,943 versus $29,153 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone. Per capita income is usually reported in units of currency per year...
for the village was $23,725. About 4.7% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over. Cherry Valley has the highest income and education levels of any community within the Rockford metropolitan area.
Development and Growth
The village is home to the million square foot
CherryVale MallCherryvale Mall is a shopping mall in Cherry Valley, Illinois, serving nearby Rockford, Illinois. Its four anchor stores are Bergner's, J. C. Penney, Macy's and Sears. CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. acquired the shopping center in 2002. Cherryvale mall has 134 stores consisting of a gross...
, Magic Waters Waterpark (Illinois' largest water park), and Kegel Motorcycle Company (the world's oldest Harley-Davidson dealership). Cherry Valley is currently experiencing the greatest amount of growth in its history. Recent retail development includes the "District At CherryVale" lifestyle center which encompasses over of upscale retail stores. Tenants for the District include Coldwater Creek Granite City Food And Brewery and Barnes & Noble. CBL, the owners of CherryVale Mall, recently expended millions of dollars renovating the interior and exterior of the mall. In addition; JC Penney constructed a store on the north side of the mall in 2004. The addition of the JC Penney store provided a fourth anchor to the mall; the other three anchors being Sears, Macy's and Bergner's.
Cherry Valley has used "sales tax rebates" as a primary means of promoting economic development without risking its own revenues. Its most recent success story was redevelopment of a vacated "Menards Cashway Lumber" big box store for use by Collier RV - the largest RV dealership in the Rockford metro area.
Cherry Valley is one of only a handful of communities within Illinois that does not levy a municipal property tax. Operations of the Village are paid for by a 1% sales tax that is levied and collected by the State of Illinois and then distributed to the community. As a result, the overall property tax rate is significantly less than other communities within the Rockford metro area.
In January 2007, the Village annexed over three square miles of land which will include the development of the "Rock 39" Industrial Park located at the Interstate 39 / Baxter Road interchange. Historically a retail oriented community; this annexation will allow the Village to pursue industrial development. The first announced project within Rock 39 is the Con-way Trucking facility which broke ground on November 5, 2007.
According to a WREX-TV report on March 27, 2007 a
Crystal LakeCrystal Lake is a city located in southeastern McHenry County in northeastern Illinois. It is named after Crystal Lake, a lake 1.6 miles west-southwest of downtown. Crystal Lake is also a suburb of the city of Chicago. The population was 38,000 at the 2000 census, but as of 2008 the population is...
based developer was working to annex two square miles within unincorporated
Flora TownshipFlora Township is one of nine townships in Boone County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,175. Flora Township was originally named Fairfield in November 6, 1849, but was changed to Burton in April, 1851, and then changed again to Flora in October,...
to Cherry Valley. There are plans to build as many as 2,000 single family homes in the area. WREX-TV reports that the developer would look to Stillman Valley, Illinois for the development if Cherry Valley does not allow the annexation. The developer took his proposal to various communities within northern Illinois. As of September, 2007 the entire project has been withdrawn, and Illinois State law has been changed to prevent a similar situation from occurring again.
The Village of Cherry Valley actively pursues retail development. Cherry Valley is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and hosts a booth at its various midwest trade shows.
Developments in 2008 / 2009
Despite a slowing economy, Cherry Valley has seen numerous projects completed or begun in 2008.
Upper Iowa University's branch campus located along Interstate 90 was completed in May. Construction was recently begun on "
Cherry Valley Crossing" mixed use development at the south east corner of Newburg and Bell School Roads. The project will include two retail strip centers, a free standing financial institution and a commercial pad for a restaurant. The first announced tenant is OSF St. Anthony's medical building. Also under construction is "
One Bell Valley Commons" which is a three story, 68,000 square foot, Class A office building. The first announced tenant is RSM McGladrey which will occupy 30,000 square feet of the building. "
Walgreens" Pharmacy is currently also under construction at the south east corner of Charles Street and Perryville Road.
Recently approved is the "
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center" which will be located along Interstate 90, directly north of Upper Iowa University. Recently under construction is the new "
Montessori Learning Academy" located along Newburg Road, just east of Interstate 90. It was recently announced that "
Sonic" will be constructing its first metro area store in Cherry Valley along Perryville Road (just south of the Menards' parking lot).
Retail
- Bachrodt Auto Mall: Chevrolet, VW, BMW
- Macy’s
- JC Penney
- Bergner’s (Division of Carson Pirie Scott)
- Sears
- Hilander (Division of Kroger supermarkets)
- Menards
- Kegel Harley-Davidson/Buell - Oldest Harley Dealer
- Magic Waters Water Park
- Collier RV Center
External links