Then and Now

Plainfield, Illinois is a small village in Will County, located about 40 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The community experienced an enormous population boom in the past 15 years, but it is still considered to be one of the more rural Chicago suburbs with farmland and fields abutting the neighborhood subdivisions.

Before it was settled by Europeans, the Plainfield region was entirely covered with prairie grasses and populated by Potawatomi Indians. They lived off the land and created a network of trails that converged in what would later become the village of Plainfield. Because of the abundance of wild game in the area, European hunters and trappers moved to the vicinity in the beginning of the 19th century, setting up trading posts that prospered until the 1820s. However, the fur supply started to dwindle, as most of the small animals were scared off by increased development and farming. True settlement of the Plainfield area began in the late 1820s, making it the oldest town in Will County.

Plainfield was originally established as Walker's Grove, named after Jesse Walker, one of the first European pioneers to set up a homestead there. Walker came as a missionary and wanted to convert the Potawatomi to Christianity, but the expansion of his colony would soon drive them out of the area altogether. Development of the Plainfield territory stalled in the mid 1800s while other nearby sites flourished with the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. You see, Plainfield was not located directly on the canal, which, shortly after it was completed, proved to be the primary trade route in the region. The town did benefit from the waterway, though, as many of the laborers eventually made their homes in the Plainfield area.

As time went on, Plainfield experienced regular visitor traffic-however, much of it was in secret. There were a number of abolitionists living in the region by the turn of the century and Plainfield ultimately became a known (yet unknown) station for the "Underground Railroad" in the early to mid 1800s. Also during that time period, Plainfield grew to be a popular stop on the heavily-traveled trade routes of the Lincoln Highway and Route 66, which became the country's most important highway during the Great Depression.

As a largely rural locale, Plainfield's development and population growth were slow and steady for most of the 20th century, but it spiked just before the new millennium, when an unprecedented boom occurred. At the time, many of the farms that still existed in Plainfield were sold to developers and converted into brand-new subdivisions. The population shot up from about 4,500 people in 1990 to more than 30,000 in 2000, which made Plainfield one of the fastest growing towns in the U.S. Although development has waned slightly from the feverish pace of the 1990s, the town continues to expand, and there are still plenty of new homes on the market.
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Park is the Place

Because Plainfield, Illinois was an agrarian community for most of the 20th century, the town still has large swaths of wide-open green space and parkland. The Plainfield Park District controls more than 80 park sites with over 1,500 acres between them. One thing Plainfield parks feature that most other suburban Chicago parks do not is a place where you can ride horses. For instance, the Normantown Trails Equestrian Center (23729 W Ottawa St, 815-436-8812) provides six acres of horseback riding grounds, including a pair of two different-sized indoor riding areas, spacious stables and paddocks. For beginners of all ages, the equestrian center offers both private and group instruction. And, on the little one's birthday, you can make an appointment for the kids to have a pony ride.
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Hit the Links

Plainfield boasts some of the best golf in Illinois, thanks in large part to the vast prairies and farmland that remained undeveloped until the 1990s. Golf entrepreneurs were able to convert the open terrain into beautifully designed, sprawling courses stretched across rolling hills and picturesque landscapes. The most prominent and scenic course in Plainfield is The Links at Carillon (W Southcarillon Dr, 815-886-2132). It offers 27 holes of golf between three separate 9-hole courses, which indulges everyone's skill level, from beginners to professional golfers. The grounds at Carillon are flawlessly cared for-in fact, the club recently received 3½ stars from Golf Digest for its excellently maintained fairways and perfectly manicured greens. There are four sets of tee boxes with various ratings. Cart paths provide convenient access to most holes, and golf cart rentals cost about $20. For an afternoon of golf at Carillon, you can expect to pay between $40 and $50, depending on the day of the week.

Plainfield's other popular golf option is the Wedgewood Golf Course (5001 Canton Farm Rd, 815-741-7270), which is a regulation-length 18-hole course that's been serving the area since 1970. The Wedgewood is a municipal course, meaning it's owned and operated by the town of Plainfield, but that doesn't mean it's any less challenging or enjoyable than a private club. Like the Links at Carillon, the Wedgewood features four levels of tee boxes, which enables golfers of all abilities and experience to play. In addition to the 18-hole course, the facilities at Wedgewood include a driving range and a full clubhouse. On average, you can expect to pay between $35 and $50 for a round of golf at Wedgewood.
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Real Estate

During the past decade or so, the Plainfield, Illinois real estate market experienced an unprecedented boom in both population and construction, the likes of which have not been seen in Illinois since the post Great Fire rebuilding of Chicago in the 1880s. In 1990, Forbes magazine listed Plainfield among the top five fastest growing suburbs in the country.

Between the years 2000 and 2007, the number of homes in Plainfield more than doubled, from less that 7,000 to nearly 14,000 homes in 2007. But, growth in Plainfield is not limited to residential real estate; to accommodate the town's ballooning population, commercial and retail sectors have maintained rapid expansion over the past decade as well. Plainfield's extraordinary development was spurred by widespread selling of local farmland. Around the turn of the millennium, most of the remaining farmers in the area sold their pastures and fields to residential developments, and subdivisions continued to sprout up in every corner of town.

Increased demand for housing in Plainfield is bolstered by the fact that residential real estate here is still relatively affordable, compared to some of the other Chicago suburbs, and the reasonable prices have attracted many Illinois families. The average sale price for a detached, single-family home is $216,000 for a two-bedroom house, $237,000 for a three-bedroom, $337,000 for a property with four bedrooms, and $400,000 for five or more bedrooms. Homebuyers that don't need as much space or shy away from the upkeep of a private home will find good deals with Plainfield's multiunit residential buildings. The average sale price for attached real estate is about $176,000 for a two-bedroom condo or townhome, and $194,000 for a unit with three bedrooms.

Seeing as Plainfield is a young village with an explosion of recent development, the majority of the homes currently on the market are quite new, offering all the modern upgrades and amenities. Of course, that's not to say all of the residences in Plainfield have been built in the past decade. Homebuyers will discover a small assortment of charming, two-story vintage farm houses up for sale. Big front porches, lovely interior wood finishes, and oftentimes remodeled kitchens and baths afford a comfortable, present-day appeal with 19th century allure.

For the most part, Plainfield's new construction homes are situated in quiet neighborhood subdivisions, protected from main road traffic and noisier business districts. Here, house hunters will find a considerable supply of large, single- and two-story residences with attached garages, private driveways, landscaped yards and green front lawns. Many of these homes have luxury touches such as granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, and it's not uncommon to see a pond or grove of trees out your back window. The price range for homes built in Plainfield within the past 10 years stretches from the mid $100,000s to the mid $500,000s, which gives home buyers lots of options to get exactly what they want in a budget they can afford.

Plainfield Residential Real Estate Info for Single-Family Detached Homes

Average Sale Price 2005-2006	Average # of Days on the Market	Number of Sales 2005-2006	One Year Price Change	Price Change Since 94
$297,012	86	1,713	8%	95%

Source: Multiple Listings Service of Northern Illinois
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What's on the Menu?

While the population of Plainfield grows at an exponential rate, the town's modest restaurant and dining industry is doing its best to keep up and to keep everyone fed. There's been a good showing of culinary entrepreneurship in the local economy in the past decade, with many national chains moving in to satisfy the increased demand. Overall, Plainview has a decent mix of restaurants found countrywide and small, locally owned eateries and mom-and-pop kitchens.

One place that stands out from the crowd is Baby Back Blues BBQ (23145 W Lincoln Hwy, 815-254-6939), a down-home barbeque joint that's been pumping hickory smoke into the air for ten years. The dining area is quaint - 10 tables and a standing counter - but regulars know that size isn't important when your meat is as good as Baby Back Blues's. The Brisket is the number one attraction at this Plainfield favorite, followed closely by the pulled pork, ribs and the barbequed chicken. Everything is cooked over a massive hickory pit that will entice your senses with incredible aromas as you make your order. As for the sides, there are four options: corn on the cob, pinto beans, coleslaw, and hand-cut french fries, all a great complement to some barbequed goodness.

Another preferred destination for a meal is Moe Joe's Cajun and Caribbean Cuisine (510 Lockport St, 815-230-2790), which recreates the feeling of dining on the bayou right here in Plainfield. There are two levels to Moe Joe's: the ground floor features street lamps and New Orleans-style building facades with balconies, meant to capture the festive ambiance of Bourbon Street; while the lower level bar area bills itself as a French Quarter speakeasy, with lantern lights, a fireplace, and a horseshoe-shaped bar. On the menu, guests will find all the Cajun favorites, including po boys, friend catfish, and crab cakes.

For a slight departure from the American comfort food that is so popular in Plainfield, try the Italian restaurant Baci Ristorante (407 W Lockport St, 815-436-3588). Baci is one of the better values in Plainfield when it comes to great grub in shareable quantities. The food here is excellent and it's served in ample portions. And, the prices are not nearly as expensive as comparable restaurants in Chicago and neighboring suburbs. Some of the classic dishes offered include the fettuccini alfredo, the mostaccioli marinara, and the rigatoni marinara with veal. Don't forget to bring your appetite!
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Best Shopping Stops

Before the housing and population boom in Plainfield, it was necessary to hop in the car and drive to one of the neighboring suburbs in order to shop for just about anything other than groceries. Fortunately, the town's recent growth has been matched with commercial and retail maturity, so now Plainfield residents can get most anything they want at local stores.

For book lovers, the addition of a Barnes & Noble Bookseller (12700 S Route 59, 815-609-8233) was the best thing that ever could have happened to Plainfield. The opening of the national bookstore made thousands of titles instantly available. When it comes to women's clothing, there are a handful of places to shop in Plainfield, too. The village hosts a Lynn Tyler Clothing Store (24102 W Lockport St, 815-254-6001), which has a wide variety of women's apparel, as well as Total Fashion (24241 Corydalis St, 815-439-0414), A Woman's Touch (17550 S Williamsburg Dr, 708-679-0895), and Dress Barn (12732 S Route 59, 815-439-3945).

And of course, there are a few of those wonderful places where you can get everything under one roof. That's right, we're talking about Wal-Mart (12690 S Route 59, 815-267-3041), Target (12800 S Route 59, 815-577-5100), and Menards (14331 S Route 59, 815-577-3386), the jumbo Chicago area hardware chain. It's hard to deny the convenience of these retail behemoths -- between the three, Plainfield locals have all their needs covered.
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School's in Session

Central Elementary School 23723 Getson Dr (815) 436-9278
Charles Reed Elementary School 2110 Clublands Pkwy (815) 254-2160
Creekside Elementary School 13909 S Budler Rd (815) 577-4700
Drauden Point Middle School 1911 Drauden Rd (815) 577-4900
Eagle Pointe Elementary school 24562 Norwood Dr (815) 577-4800
Heritage Grove 12450 S Van Dyke Rd (815) 439-4810
Indian Trail Middle School 1005 N Eastern ave (815) 2436-6128
Lakewood Falls Elementary School 14050 S Budler Rd (815) 439-4560
Lincoln Elementary School 14740 Meadow Ln (815) 577-4500
Plainfield Academy (high school) 305 W Lockport St (815) 439-5521
Plainfield High School 24120 W Fort Beggs Dr (815) 436-4200
Plainfield South High School 7800 W Caton Farm Rd (815) 439-5555
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Basic Needs

Dining

American Cuisine
Baby Back Blues BBQ 23145 W Lincoln Hwy  (815) 254-6939
Gourmet Junction 24030 W Lockport St (815) 439-3933
Moe Joe’s Cajun 510 Lockport St (815) 230-2790
Nabby’s Restaurant & Catering 14802 N Michigan St (815) 436-7502
Nick’s Cozy Corner Restaurant 12337 S Route 59 (815) 254-6434
Oven 8128 E US Highway 36 (317) 272-6836

Asian Cuisine
Great Wall of China 13400 S Route 59 (815) 609-3838
Lucky Bamboo Asian Cuisine 2304 Route 59 (815) 609-7888
Taste of China 13530 S Route 59 (815) 609-8888

Italian Cuisine
Baci Italian Ristorante 407 W Lockport St (815) 436-3588

Mexican Cuisine
Front Street Cantina 602 N Des Plaines St (815) 254-3474

Pizza
Aurelio’s Pizza 13544 W US Route 30 (815) 254-3500
Beggars Pizza 16122 S Route 59 (815) 254-2222
Giordano’s 2344 State Route 59 (815) 609-5900
Michael’s Pizza 101 S Division St (815) 254-0707
Papa Murphy’s Take ‘n’ Bake 13400 S Route 59 (815) 609-6278
Rosati’s Pizza 15918 S Division St (815) 254-4500
Vito & Nick’s II 12443 S Route 59 (815) 254-5555

Bars/Nightlife

Gunther’s Bar & Grill 24001 W Lockport St (815) 609-8880
O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant 24205 W Lockport St (815) 436-4529

Grocery Stores

Aldi 13550 S Route 59
Dominick’s Finer Foods 950 Brookfest Ave (815) 577-2741
Jewel-Osco 2480 Route 59 (815) 254-3291
Manila Grocery 15507 S Route 59 (815) 609-3663

Gyms

Curves 13544 W US Hwy 30 (815) 254-9100
Fitness Together 13717 S Hwy 30 (815) 577-9500
Ladies Workout Express 12337 S Route 59 (815) 436-4445
Snap Fitness 23836 W 135th St (815) 577-9500
YMCA 15120 W Wallin Dr (815) 729-9622

Libraries

Plainfield Public Library 705 N Illinois St (815) 729-3345

Pharmacies

CVS Pharmacy 11840 S Route 59 (815) 577-2613
Cub Pharmacy 2300 S Route 59 (815) 439-8846
Osco Drug 2480 S Route 59 (815) 254-3391
Suburban Pharmacy 7000 Caton Farm Rd (815) 609-7979
Walgreens 14902 S Route 59 (815) 254-5792

Shopping

Barnes & Noble Booksellers 12700 S Route 59 (815) 609-8233
Brentwood Cove Shopping Center 2207 S Route 59 (815) 436-3250
Dress Barn 12732 S Route 59 (815) 439-3945
Have to Have 24041 W Lockport St (815) 436-5363
Jeric’s Skate Shop 15420 Route 59 (815) 439-5717
Knot Usual 6613 Irma Harvey (815) 919-7807
Lynn Tyler Clothing 24102 W Lockport St (815) 254-6001
Maurice’s 12748 S Route 59 (815) 609-7057
Menards 14331 S Route 59 (815) 577-3386
Payless Shoe Source 12748 S Route 59 (815) 254-2165
Target 12800 S Route 59 (815) 577-5100
Total Fashion 24241 Corydalis St (815) 439-0414
Wal-Mart 12690 S Route 59 (815) 267-3041
A Woman’s Touch 17550 S Williamsburg Dr (708) 679-0895

Golf

Wedgewood Golf Course 5001 Canton Farm Rd (815) 741-7270
The Links at Carillon (Blue Course) 21200 W Southcarillon Dr (815) 886-2132
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