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The Village of Villa Park

Picturesque neighborhoods, modern schools which strive for academic excellence, a large parks and recreation department with abundant recreation facilities, comprehensive library services, and top tier healthcare make Villa Park an enjoyable place to live, work, and raise a family.

Located in DuPage County – just 19 miles west of Chicago’s Loop – Villa Park’s history includes a combination of hard work, community spirit and preservation. Known as the Garden Village, the quintessential Midwest community of 22,000 has direct access to downtown Chicago as well as to the rest of the metropolitan suburbs. Approximately four square miles in area, Villa Park is bounded by the Village of Addison on the north, Lombard on the west, Oakbrook Terrace on the south and Elmhurst on the east.

Villa Park has a positive sense of community you won’t find elsewhere. There is great transportation – Metra Train Station, Pace buses; easy access to major roads and the tollway; close to two major regional shopping malls (Oakbrook Center & Yorktown), close to O’Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago and has a variety of shopping from Walmart and Target to a variety of small local businesses.

Visit Villa Park

Just 31 Minutes from Chicago by Train
Villa Park lies on the Union Pacific West (UP-W) Metra Line.
View Train Schedule Directions to Villa Park

History

OUR HERITAGE IS VALUED
An active Preservation Commission and Historical Society along with the participation support of the Village of Villa Park have embraced history and our unique heritage.
The Villa Park Historical Museum and Visitor Center features exhibits showcasing local history, Sears Catalog Homes, former Chicago, Aurora and Elgin, former Ovaltine factory and business memorabilia. There are changing exhibits each year along with special events. A local history Reference Library is available for research. A large pavilion adjacent to the museum is a popular spot to rest and enjoy the beautiful garden. 
Historic Preservation Awards
Over 80 homes and buildings have received recognition and a Preservation Plaque by the Preservation Commission for their architectural and historical significance. 
Locally Designated Historic Landmark Districts 
At each end of town and centrally located in the heart of Villa Park along the Illinois Prairie Path are two small business districts that have been locally designated for their significance in the early commercial growth of the community. Each district has a restored former Chicago Aurora, and Elgin Train Station that is on the National Register of historic Places and have attractive commercial buildings from the 1920’s.

The Villa Historic Landmark District (also known as Old Town Villa Avenue) was established in 1908 and houses a variety of small businesses, including an award winning micro-craft brewery, a 100-year old garden shop, several restaurants, and bars. This district extends to St. Charles Road and includes a small shopping center where you can find an independently owned coffee house, bakery, pottery studio, fitness gym, used-bookstore, hardware store, meat market & deli and a bank.

The Ardmore Historic Landmark District established in 1910 and has a variety of small businesses, such as beauty shops, barber shops, craft shop, attorneys, taverns, library and many churches. 

In addition, the Village and Kiwanis Club hosts summer concert venues during July and August at the Rugaard Gazebo and at the Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park adjacent to the c.1926 former Great Western Railway Depot along the Great Western Bike Trail.
WORLD-CLASS ARCHITECTURE
Villa Park has two examples of world-class architecture designed by prominent architects. A rare example of a Frank Lloyd Wright designed fire-proof prairie-style home was built in c.1920. The BMO Harris Bank Building, built in 1964, is a Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s 1945 architectural design that had been originally for the Cantor Drive-in project. 

Testimonials

CELEBRITIES
Villa Park proudly shares in the excitement and cultivation of their very own homegrown Celebrities - most of whom have achieved worldwide successes. 

In fields of music, dance, television, theater, literary arts, cinematography, sports and politics, the town proudly boasts it’s wide spectrum of talented, dedicated individuals:

Music – The Plain White T’s, The Fold
Dance – Peter Dziak
Television – Anita Padilla, Rick Santelli
Theater – Robert Falls
Literary Arts – Mike Venezia
Cinematography – Mike Venezia
Sports – Norma Taylor, Clayton French, John Kennedy
Politicians – Tom Cullerton, Deb Conroy   
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