Villa Park, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Villa Park is a suburb
of Chicago
in DuPage County
, Illinois
. The population was 22,075 at the 2000 census. A special census in 2003 set the population at 22,517. Estimated population in July 2006 was 22,528, a +2.1% change.
established their factory, they needed a way to make sure their employees could get to and from work safely, no matter the weather, terrain or other issues. Villa Park was built originally for that reason.
Following the construction of a subdivision called Villa Park in 1908 and another called Ardmore in 1910 by the real estate firm Ballard & Pottinger, Villa Park was incorporated in 1914 by uniting the two subdivisions of 300 people. The first village president, William H. Calhoun, was elected on September 12, 1914. The town was originally called Ardmore, but changed its name to Villa Park in 1917. Villa Park was one of a number of suburbs directly west of downtown Chicago that flourished as a result of the electric interurban
line, the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad
. The railroad ran from the Chicago Loop
directly west to Wheaton, Illinois
, where it then split into two lines, one traveling southwest to Aurora
and the other northwest to Elgin
. Two small commercial areas developed, one around the Villa Avenue station and the other around the Ardmore Avenue station. In 1957, the CA&E ceased to carry passengers resulting from a dramatic drop in ridership due to the loss of a one-seat ride stemming from the construction of the Eisenhower Expressway
(I-290), and the general increase in use of personal automobiles. The right-of-way was eventually cleaned up and developed into a hiking and bicycling trail known as the Illinois Prairie Path
. The Ardmore Station is now home to the Chamber of Commerce, and the Villa Avenue Station houses the Villa Park Historical Society.
Villa Park had been home to the Ovaltine
chocolate factory until it closed in 1988. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
in 1986 as building #86003781.http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/il/Du+Page/state.html It has since been converted into loft
apartments.
Topper, a huge horse meat factory, was located on North Avenue.
A majority of the residents are of Eastern European heritage, including Polish, Czech, German, and Russian. There is also a significant Hispanic heritage.
The village is governed by the Village President (Mayor) and six trustees, comprising the Village Board. Thomas Cullerton is the current Village President. He is currently in his first 4-year term, elected on April 7, 2009.
The six trustees are elected on a rotating basis every two years so that not all the trustees are up for reelection at once. The current Trustees, by seniority, are John Davis, Albert Bulthuis, Robert Taglia, Deborah Bullwinkle, Chris J. Aiello and Donald Kase. John Davis was re-elected on April 7, 2009. Robert Taglia and Deborah Bullwinkle were first elected on that same date.
Advising the Village Board on various issues are numerous commissions composed of local residents appointed to the posts.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²). Almost none of the area is covered by water.
of 2000, there were 22,075 people, 7,810 households, and 5,748 families residing in the village. The population density
was 4,695.2 people per square mile (1,813.4/km²). There were 7,987 housing units at an average density of 1,698.8 per square mile (656.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 89.15% White, 3.65% Asian, 1.67% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.65% from other races
, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.55% of the population.
There were 7,810 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the village the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $55,706, and the median income for a family was $62,805 (these figures had risen to $64,394 and $80,467 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $41,085 versus $29,521 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $22,354. About 3.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.
on Metra
's Union Pacific/West Line
with service west to Elburn, Illinois
and east to downtown Chicago
. The Ardmore Avenue Train Station
and the Villa Avenue Train Station
are also nationally registered historical places
.http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/il/Du+Page/state.html The Ardmore Avenue Train Station
is currently serving as the home for the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce, while the Villa Avenue Train Station
is home to the Villa Park Historical Museum.
Both of these former train stations lie along the Illinois Prairie Path
. The Illinois Prairie Path is a regional bicycle path linking Chicago
's Western Suburbs which is popular with bicyclists and pedestrians during the warmers months, and is used for cross country skiing during winter months.
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in DuPage County
DuPage County, Illinois
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 916,924, White Americans made up 77.9% of Dupage County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 70.5% of the population. Black Americans made up 4.6% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.3% of Dupage County's population...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The population was 22,075 at the 2000 census. A special census in 2003 set the population at 22,517. Estimated population in July 2006 was 22,528, a +2.1% change.
History
When OvaltineOvaltine
Ovaltine is a brand of milk flavoring product made with malt extract , sugar , cocoa, and whey...
established their factory, they needed a way to make sure their employees could get to and from work safely, no matter the weather, terrain or other issues. Villa Park was built originally for that reason.
Following the construction of a subdivision called Villa Park in 1908 and another called Ardmore in 1910 by the real estate firm Ballard & Pottinger, Villa Park was incorporated in 1914 by uniting the two subdivisions of 300 people. The first village president, William H. Calhoun, was elected on September 12, 1914. The town was originally called Ardmore, but changed its name to Villa Park in 1917. Villa Park was one of a number of suburbs directly west of downtown Chicago that flourished as a result of the electric interurban
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
line, the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad
Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad
The Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad , known colloquially as the "Roarin' Elgin" or the "Great Third Rail", was an interurban railroad that operated passenger and freight service on its line between Chicago, Illinois and Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, and Elgin. The railroad also operated...
. The railroad ran from the Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
directly west to Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton is an affluent community located in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately west of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County...
, where it then split into two lines, one traveling southwest to Aurora
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
and the other northwest to Elgin
Elgin, Illinois
Elgin is a city in northern Illinois located roughly northwest of Chicago on the Fox River. Most of Elgin lies within Kane County, Illinois, with a portion in Cook County, Illinois...
. Two small commercial areas developed, one around the Villa Avenue station and the other around the Ardmore Avenue station. In 1957, the CA&E ceased to carry passengers resulting from a dramatic drop in ridership due to the loss of a one-seat ride stemming from the construction of the Eisenhower Expressway
Interstate 290 (Illinois)
Interstate 290 is a main Interstate freeway that runs westwards from the Chicago Loop. A portion of I-290 is officially called the Dwight D. Eisenhower Expressway. In short form, it is known as "the Ike" or the Eisenhower...
(I-290), and the general increase in use of personal automobiles. The right-of-way was eventually cleaned up and developed into a hiking and bicycling trail known as the Illinois Prairie Path
Illinois Prairie Path
The Illinois Prairie Path is a network of of bicycle trails, mostly in DuPage County, Illinois. Portions of the trail extend west to Kane County and east to Cook County. Most of the trail is categorized as rail-to-trail, meaning that the bicycle path is built atop an old railroad right of way...
. The Ardmore Station is now home to the Chamber of Commerce, and the Villa Avenue Station houses the Villa Park Historical Society.
Villa Park had been home to the Ovaltine
Ovaltine
Ovaltine is a brand of milk flavoring product made with malt extract , sugar , cocoa, and whey...
chocolate factory until it closed in 1988. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1986 as building #86003781.http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/il/Du+Page/state.html It has since been converted into loft
Loft
A loft can be an upper story or attic in a building, directly under the roof. Alternatively, a loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use from some other use, often light industrial...
apartments.
Topper, a huge horse meat factory, was located on North Avenue.
A majority of the residents are of Eastern European heritage, including Polish, Czech, German, and Russian. There is also a significant Hispanic heritage.
Government
Villa Park has a Manager-Council form of government. The village manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the town. The current manager is Richard Keehner Jr. The Manager position is appointed by the Village Board of Trustees. The Clerk of Villa Park is Hosanna Korynecky. She was reelected on April 7, 2009.The village is governed by the Village President (Mayor) and six trustees, comprising the Village Board. Thomas Cullerton is the current Village President. He is currently in his first 4-year term, elected on April 7, 2009.
The six trustees are elected on a rotating basis every two years so that not all the trustees are up for reelection at once. The current Trustees, by seniority, are John Davis, Albert Bulthuis, Robert Taglia, Deborah Bullwinkle, Chris J. Aiello and Donald Kase. John Davis was re-elected on April 7, 2009. Robert Taglia and Deborah Bullwinkle were first elected on that same date.
Advising the Village Board on various issues are numerous commissions composed of local residents appointed to the posts.
Notable residents
- Norma BergerNorma BergerNorma A. Berger [Taylor] is a former pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the season. Berger was nicknamed ״Bergie״...
, a MaywoodMaywood, IllinoisMaywood is a village in Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. It was founded on April 6, 1869 and organized October 22, 1881. The population was 26,987 at the 2000 census.-Overview:...
native, who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball LeagueAll-American Girls Professional Baseball LeagueThe All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. During the league's history, over 600 women played ball.-History:...
. - Tom Higgenson, lead singer of the pop punk band Plain White T'sPlain White T'sPlain White T's is an American Pop rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 1997 by high school friends Tom Higgenson and Ken Fletcher, the group had a mostly underground following in Chicago basements, clubs, and bars in its early years, and underwent numerous personnel changes.The band is best...
- Anita Padilla, reporter for WFLDWFLDWFLD, virtual channel 32 , is the Fox owned-and-operated television station, based in Chicago, Illinois; through its parent company News Corporation, the station is owned in a duopoly with area MyNetworkTV affiliate WPWR-TV...
-TV in Chicago - Derrick TribbettDerrick TribbettDerrick Tribbett is an American musician better known by his stage names Tripp Lee and Sinister. Tribbett is also known for his role on the reality show Daisy of Love starring former Rock of Love 2 contestant Daisy De La Hoya.-Career:Tribbett was a member of the band Twisted Method until it...
, bass player for hard rock band DopeDope (band)Dope is an American rock band from Villa Park, Illinois, formed in 1997 in Chicago, Illinois.To date, the band has released five full-length studio albums, their most recent being No Regrets which was released on March 10, 2009.-History:... - Bobby WawakBobby WawakBobby Wawak was an American NASCAR driver from Villa Park, Illinois. He made 141 Grand National/Winston Cup starts, with 14 Top 10 finishes.-Local racing:...
, NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
racer
Geography
Villa Park is located at 41°53′19"N 87°58′40"W (41.888650, -87.977884).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The 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...
, the village has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²). Almost none of the area is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A 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. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 22,075 people, 7,810 households, and 5,748 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,695.2 people per square mile (1,813.4/km²). There were 7,987 housing units at an average density of 1,698.8 per square mile (656.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 89.15% White, 3.65% Asian, 1.67% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.65% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.55% of the population.
There were 7,810 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the village the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $55,706, and the median income for a family was $62,805 (these figures had risen to $64,394 and $80,467 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $41,085 versus $29,521 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $22,354. About 3.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Villa Park has a commuter railroad stationVilla Park (Metra)
Villa Park is a Metra commuter railroad station in Villa Park, a western suburb of Chicago. It is served by the Union Pacific/West Line and lies from the eastern terminus. Trains go east to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago and as far west as Elburn, Illinois...
on Metra
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
's Union Pacific/West Line
Union Pacific/West Line
The Union Pacific/West is a commuter rail line provided by Metra and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad in Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs...
with service west to Elburn, Illinois
Elburn, Illinois
Elburn is a village in Kane County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,751 as of 2006. It is located at the intersection of Illinois Route 38 and Route 47...
and east to downtown Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The Ardmore Avenue Train Station
Ardmore Avenue Train Station
The Ardmore Avenue Train Station is one of two former Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad stations in Villa Park, Illinois. The station is a stone-faced structure built in 1910 by the Ballard & Pottinger real estate firm. The station was erected to draw passengers to property that the firm was...
and the Villa Avenue Train Station
Villa Avenue Train Station
The Villa Avenue Train Station is one of two former Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad stations in Villa Park, Illinois. The station is a Tudor Revival structure built in 1929. The eastern portion of the station served passengers, while the western portion functioned as a Western United Gas and...
are also nationally registered historical places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/il/Du+Page/state.html The Ardmore Avenue Train Station
Ardmore Avenue Train Station
The Ardmore Avenue Train Station is one of two former Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad stations in Villa Park, Illinois. The station is a stone-faced structure built in 1910 by the Ballard & Pottinger real estate firm. The station was erected to draw passengers to property that the firm was...
is currently serving as the home for the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce, while the Villa Avenue Train Station
Villa Avenue Train Station
The Villa Avenue Train Station is one of two former Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad stations in Villa Park, Illinois. The station is a Tudor Revival structure built in 1929. The eastern portion of the station served passengers, while the western portion functioned as a Western United Gas and...
is home to the Villa Park Historical Museum.
Both of these former train stations lie along the Illinois Prairie Path
Illinois Prairie Path
The Illinois Prairie Path is a network of of bicycle trails, mostly in DuPage County, Illinois. Portions of the trail extend west to Kane County and east to Cook County. Most of the trail is categorized as rail-to-trail, meaning that the bicycle path is built atop an old railroad right of way...
. The Illinois Prairie Path is a regional bicycle path linking Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's Western Suburbs which is popular with bicyclists and pedestrians during the warmers months, and is used for cross country skiing during winter months.