The small town of Elburn is located about 40 miles west of Chicago near the Fox River. When Elburn was settled in the 1830s, it was known as Blackberry. This charming name carries over today, as Elburn has been named a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation in honor of the community’s devotion to trees and forestry. The village hosts a number of annual events, including the Christmas Stroll, the Golf Outing and Day in the Park with Fireworks.
History
Elburn was settled by William Lance, who arrived in 1835 with his family, a wagon and eight oxen. The town’s original name of Blackberry was soon changed to Melbourne, but the C&NW; Railroads decided that there were already too many Melbournes along its line. A committee was formed, and “Elbourne” was selected for the community’s new name. In 1886, the name was shortened to the present-day “Elburn.”
Although the town is more than 150 years old, most of Elburn’s growth came in the 1990s, when new subdivisions were developed and the industrial park expanded. A new library, post office, and fast-food restaurants were built. Today, Elburn’s population is more than 2,750.
Pricing
Real estate is affordable in Elburn, but townhouses and condominiums are few and far between. Those that are available range in price from $150,000 to more than $190,000. Some units feature fireplaces, central air, and two-car garages.
Single-family homes are plentiful and start at approximately $160,000, with prices exceeding $800,000 for estate properties. Amenities include central air, swimming pools, wooded lots, hot tubs and fireplaces. Homes are available in neighborhoods such as Prairie Valley, Eaglebrook, Mill Creek, Sunset Prairie, Blackberry Creek, Fox Run, Beith Road Estates, Harvest Ridge, Allendale, Woods of Geneva, Fields of Geneva, Williamsburg, Willow Creek, Campton Woods, Cambridge West, Williams Ridge and Oak Openings.
Land and lots for custom building are also available, as are a few farm/ranch properties.