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TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to Villa Park, “The Garden Village”— a community that blends the best of a small-town atmosphere with the availability of modern conveniences and well-planned development.
The Villa Park Chamber of Commerce
Four local businessmen, who understood the importance of promoting the advantages of the Villa Park business community, established the prosperous Villa Park Chamber of Commerce more than 60 years ago. Lott Hare, Emil Johnson, Emil Novak and William Worley founded the Chamber on April 12, 1948 with a mission that remains to this day: “The Villa Park Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of advancing the commercial, industrial and civic interests of the Village of Villa Park and vicinity.” Their motto is “Shop Villa Park First.”
In 1985, the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce moved into the former Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railway Ardmore Avenue Train Station. The former station, located at 10 W. Park Blvd., was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. In 2004, the Ardmore Station was recognized as a key site in the Historic Landmark District by the Villa Park Historical Preservation Commission as having significant historic value to the Village of Villa Park, the State of Illinois and the entire country.
In addition to the wealth of member benefits, including networking and advertising opportunities, referrals and promotional/discount programs, the Chamber is highly active in the community. Chamber events, such as the Annual Golf Outing & Steak Fry and the Joyful Traditions Winter Holiday Event, are well attended, and the Chamber’s scholarship program has been integral to Villa Park High School students since 1993.
For more information, contact the Villa Park Chamber Office at 630-941-9133 or visit www.villaparkchamber.org.
Villa Park is enriched with a storied past, which dates back to the early 1900s. The current-day village was once two separate subdivisions, Ardmore and Villa Park, and was initially incorporated as the Village of Ardmore in 1914. The name was changed to the Village of Villa Park in 1917.
Two wealthy men, “Colonel” J.L. Calhoun and Charles C. Heisen figured prominently in the early development. The Wander Company of Bern, Switzerland opened its only American plant, Ovaltine, in 1917. The Ovaltine factory was eventually converted to luxury apartments.
In 2008, the prominent smoke stack towering 170 feet tall was imploded amidst a crowd of onlookers. A committee was formed of volunteer citizens, to erect a monument in honor of the factory and the many residents it employed.
The area experienced prosperous times, with the end of WWI and the presence of the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad. It was around this time, in 1920, that George Matthew Smith and his son, George Cyrus Smith, decided to invest in Villa Park real estate and founded the first Real Estate office in Villa Park; G. M. Smith & Son Realtors.
Villa Park began to flourish, with its population soaring from 8,000 in the 1930s to its peak of 25,000 in 1965. The community continued to thrive and develop, and today is home to more than 22,000 residents who enjoy a high quality life in Chicago’s western suburbs. Superior schools, unmatched parks and recreation facilities and a wide variety of housing are readily available, while major medical resources are just a stone’s throw away.
Villa Park Historical Museum
Villa Park’s rich heritage is well maintained by volunteers of the Villa Park Historical Society, which operates the Villa Park Historical Museum. Located within a former CA&E train station built in 1929, the Museum showcases new and rotating exhibits throughout the year, as well as permanent exhibits, including “The History of Villa Park” and displays incorporating CA&E Railroad artifacts, the history of Ovaltine and pictures of Sears
Roebuck mail-order homes. The museum serves as the official Visitor and Public Resource Center for the Village of Villa Park. The Third Rail Gift Shop and “Grandma’s Attic” are filled with gently used resale items. The Museum, located at 220 S. Villa Ave., can be contacted at 630-941-0223 or www.vphistoricalsociety.com.
The business-friendly community is anchored by three High Traffic corridors: North Avenue, St. Charles Road and Roosevelt Road, plus two Historic Landmark business districts along the scenic Illinois Prairie Path. Residents enjoy shopping at two major shopping malls and more than 15 strip malls. Additionally, Villa Park is home to approximately 20 houses of worship and numerous service organizations, which play a large role in community enrichment.
Villa Park’s Park & Recreation Department maintains 19 beautiful parks and green spaces, totaling over 100 acres, along with several quality recreational facilities, including the Community Recreation Building, the Iowa Community Center, two outdoor swimming pools and the nine-hole Sugar Creek Golf Course—a joint venture between the Villa Park and the Elmhurst Park Districts. The department also supplies residents of all ages and abilities with an exhaustive list of excellent programming. More than 600 programs, ranging from aquatics, youth sports and fitness to martial arts, gymnastics, pre-school, babysitting services and senior activities, comprise the year-round offerings discovered through the Park & Recreation Department.
Amenities
The Gazebo located on the Scenic Prairie Path is the hub for numerous community events and gatherings. The Gazebo plays host to the Kiwanis Concerts in the Park and Villa Park’s Summerfest, a street fair and community block party.
Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail
The Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trails are an integral part of the recreation amenities enjoyed by over 800,000 walkers, runners, bikers and equestrians each year. The Illinois Prairie Path (IPP) is among the region’s finest recreational resources. The 61-mile multi-use limestone path follows the former CA&E Railroad in DuPage County, with portions extending into Kane County to the west and Cook County to the east. Recognized as the state’s first nationally designated trail, the IPP came about through the efforts of May Theilgaard Watts, a writer, illustrator and teacher who sparked public backing through a letter-to-the-editor article for the Chicago Tribune in 1963. Soon after, the IPP Corporation was formed and immediately set out to work. Thanks to the
dedication of these volunteers, the IPP has become a wonderful destination for hiking, cycling, jogging, cross-country skiing and horseback riding, as well as a great place for bird watching and natural science education.
In September 2008, the Illinois Prairie Path was inducted into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. Villa Park was chosen as the site of the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame plaque, which is prominently displayed at the corner of Ardmore and Park Blvd.
The Great Western Trail, which runs parallel to the Illinois Prairie Path, is located within the right-of-way of the former Chicago Great Western Railroad. The two trails intersect at Villa Ave., giving residents the opportunity and convenience to access both trails within the Village boundaries.
Villa Park residents volunteer in the Annual Prairie Path and Great Western Cleanup trails each year sponsored by the IPP, and the Villa Park Community Pride Commission. This successful event, which draws hundreds of volunteers, is evidence of the pride residents feel for the trail system and community.
Villa Park and its surrounding areas have 21elementary, middle and high schools. Willowbrook High School enrolls over 2,000 students each year and is ranked in the top 100 of Illinois Public High Schools. Both Willowbrook and Addison Trail High Schools have undergone major renovations to provide students with a state of the art learning experience.
A E F H I O P R W
Automotive - Service Education Financial Flooring/Wallcovering Health Insurance Office Supply Photographic Services Plumbing/Heating/AC Real Estate Recreation Restaurants Retail/Shopping Worship
Automotive - Service
Suds City Auto Spa Charles Pickrell
44 West St. Charles Rd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-279-5866
Automotive - Service
The Wreck Room Don Murphy
207 W. St. Charles Rd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-530-2166
Fax: 630-530-0952 [email protected]
www.thewreckroom.com
Education
Willowbrook High School Sherry Anderson
1250 S. Ardmore Avenue Villa Park, IL
60181 630-530-3400
Fax: 630-832-0198 [email protected]
www.dupage88.net
Education
Salt Creek School District 48 Faith Behr
1110 S. Villa Ave. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-279-8400
Fax: 630-279-6167 [email protected]
www.saltcreek48.com
Financial
Inland Bank Diane Kralicek
305 W. St. Charles Rd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-530-5000
Fax: 630-530-5009 [email protected]
www.inlandbank.com
Flooring/Wallcovering
B & B Tile Inc. Matt Beausoleil
206 E St. Charles Rd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-834-2307
Fax: 630-834-1660 www.terracecarpet.com
Flooring/Wallcovering
Terrace Floor Covering Matt Beausoleil
206 E St. Charles Rd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-834-0855
Fax: 630-834-1660 www.terracecarpet.com
Health
Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare Amy Ogden
4050 Pennsylvania Ave. Kansas City, MO
64111 816-444-4270
Fax: 816-444-2359 [email protected]
www.elmhursturgent.com
Insurance
State Farm Insurance Bob Goldin
819 E. St. Charles Rd., Ste. C Lombard, IL
60148 630-620-8400
Fax: 630-620-8996 [email protected]
www.statefarm.com
Office Supply
Villa Park Office Equipment Tamie Jilka
1120 N. Villa Rd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-279-2312
[email protected] www.vpoe.com
Photographic Services
PBM - Portraits By Mason Mason Wright 122 N. Yale
Villa Park, IL 60181
630-939-0649 Fax: 630-782-5654
[email protected] www.portraitsbymason.com
Plumbing/Heating/AC
Ridgeway Precision Mechanical, Inc. James Ridgeway
280 W. St. Charles Rd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-279-4822
Fax: 630-279-4884 [email protected] www.rpmechanical.com
Plumbing/Heating/AC
Ridgeway Precision Mechanical, Inc. James Ridgeway
280 W. St. Charles Rd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-279-4822
Fax: 630-279-4884 [email protected] www.rpmechanical.com
Real Estate
G.M. Smith & Son Realtors Cathie Smith
203 S. Villa Ave. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-834-2632
Fax: 630-834-1259 [email protected]
www.gmsmithrealtors.com
Recreation
Odeum Expo Center Phil Greco or Francine
1033 N. Villa Ave. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-941-9292
Fax: 630-832-9183 [email protected] www.odeumexpo.com
Restaurants
Ayala's Mexican Restaurant & Bar Maria Ayala
623 W. North Ave. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-279-1515
[email protected] www.ayalasrestaurant.com
Restaurants
Villa Nova Restaurants & Banquets George FayCurry
237 W. St. Charles Rd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-832-8430
Fax: 630-832-8490 [email protected] www.villanovabanquets.com
Retail/Shopping
Blue Frog Beads Nancy Knight
15 E. Park Blvd., #3 Villa Park, IL
60181 630-530-8558
Fax: 630-530-8565 [email protected]
www.bluefrogbeads.com
Retail/Shopping
Pioneer Garden & Feed Store Ron Leston
118 South Villa Ave. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-832-0815
Fax: 630-832-0817 [email protected]
Retail/Shopping
Pet Supplies "Plus" George Lennon
270 W. North Ave. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-617-5600
Fax: 630-783-0903 [email protected]
www.petsuppliesplus.com
Retail/Shopping
Riordan Artistry, Inc. John Riordan
323 S. Oakland AVe.
Villa Park, IL 60181
630-832-9199 Fax: 630-832-2514
[email protected] www.chicagocrystal.com
Retail/Shopping
Prairie & Vine Wine & Gift Shop Kathy Butzen/Sue Presslak
27 Park Blvd. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-782-1519
[email protected] www.prairieandvine.com
Worship
Community Congregational Church United Church of Christ Rev. Dick Nye
410 S. Cornell Ave. Villa Park, IL
60181 630-834-8352
Fax: 630-834-8324 www.cccvp.org
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