Updated date:

Dec 12, 2009

Hinsdale, Illinois: A Must to Visit (105 Photos) Updated:12/11/2009

Author:: English Teacher

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One of the Nicest Suburbs of Chicago

Hinsdale is a well-to-do village located 21 miles west of Chicago. It is one of the most affluent villages or cities in the entire state of Illinois. While its borders are scattered beyond these borders, the village is primarily from Interstate 294 on the east to State Route 83 on the west, and from Ogden Avenue (Route 34) on the north to Plainfield Road on the south. Within minutes, locals can be headed anywhere as all of the major expressways and toll-ways are nearby: Toll-ways I-294 and I-88 (the Ronald Reagan Toll Road), I-55 (the Stevenson Expressway) and I-290 (the Eisenhower). A very small portion of Hinsdale is in Cook County, from I-294 on the east to County Line Road on the west - probably less than a half-mile across. The remaining part of Hinsdale, from County Line Road on the east to Illinois Route 83 on the west is in DuPage County.

There are approximately 18,000 people in the village of which over 90% are Caucasian. Most residents are families with children aged from infancy through the teenage years. The average family income and home values are well above the norm for Chicago, its suburbs, and the state of Illinois. Famous people from Hinsdale include: Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois; Judy Biggert, Representative of the U.S. House of Representatives; Chuck Comiskey, co-owner of the Chicago White Sox baseball team; Floyd Kalber, Rob Stafford, and Dick Johnson, newscasters; Bill Veeck, baseball executive; and, Morris the Cat, the famed advertising cat in commercials. Additionally, many business owners whose names are not commonly known to the masses reside in Hinsdale.

Personally, when I was younger, I thought of Hinsdale as no more than a speed trap along Route 34 when I was passing through the western suburbs. Other than that, I didn't give the place much thought. Now, I know that the speed traps are on every route from one end of the state to the other. It's one of those things one learns with age. Fearing the town’s speed traps less in recent years, I venture through the village from time to time and enjoy seeing the quaint downtown area with its abundance of independently-owned stores, shops, and restaurants like one doesn't see very often anymore in other areas.

The necessities in the downtown area include the train station for locals to travel to and from Chicago’s downtown within 20 minutes by the Metra train, several banks, a branch of the U.S. Post Office, the Hinsdale Fire and Police Departments which are side by side, and a park where artsy-type fairs are held during the summer right in the center of town near the train station. Within a short distance of the downtown area, one finds churches of most every faith, the large Hinsdale Hospital, and many public schools including several elementary schools, Hinsdale Junior High, and Hinsdale High School. All of the schools consistently rank among the very best in the state, academically. Hinsdale also prides itself in having one of the lowest crime rates anywhere.

When I travel through the village, I am mostly awestruck by the homes. They are primarily magnificent structures not found anywhere else in the area except perhaps in affluent Burr Ridge, the town to the immediate south of Hinsdale. Hinsdale is an old town and makes it their business to keep the town’s heritage for the most part. However, since the 1980s, some 25% of the homes have been torn down and rebuilt by the wealthy land owners in the area. These are the wealthiest homes in the area and, more often than not, the most remarkable structures with value easily reaching into millions of dollars.

I often think – or is it dream – of which home I’ll buy when I finally sell an irresistible novel that will be turned into a hit movie (or three) and a television series – after all, that’s when the money will start pouring in. Actually, for me to want a house that big, I’d have to be able to afford a full staff of housekeepers and lawn keepers as keeping up with the chores would be a full-time job. Until I can afford the house, the hired help, and the taxes,

It seems with every article I'm writing that takes some outside travel, there is an incident worth sharing. The most unusual event that happened when gathering information and pics in Hinsdale was during my visit to the Katherine Legge Memorial Park. Being a huge park and over 80 degrees out, I wanted to use my car instead of my feet to get the pictures of the park. After entering the park and taking several pictures of the lacrosse game, I forged ahead in my car and found a one lane path to continue on my journey through the beautiful park. Soon, I came across a narrow bridge and crossed over a small waterway and continued on. As I drove on, a young couple walking a dog got over on the grass to let me pass, then a few walkers did the same a short distance further. Then, I saw a group of maybe a dozen walkers in a group all going down the center of the path. On a bench, there was an elderly man just looking at me in my car. I stopped and, as it suddenly dawned on me, I asked the obvious question: Are cars allowed on this road? Immediately and expressionless, he said, "No." With the entire group of walkers now upon me and my car, they stood back while I did an awkward turnabout in the grass and headed back - needing to excuse myself past the walkers I'd already disturbed. After that, I stayed on the main roads for cars and off the walking paths. What I won't (or will) do to get a picture, I guess!

On a final note, I should explain the lack of people in the photos of Hinsdale. Truth be told, of all the areas I've photographed to accompany articles, I found the locals in Hinsdale to be the least receptive - perhaps most suspicious - of an unknown stopping to take photographs of their beautiful village.

I hope you enjoy this article about Hinsdale and the pictures with descriptions offered below.

Original Photos of Hinsdale, Illinois by English Teacher

Historic Downtown Hinsdale at the center of the village

Downtown street with independent shops in Hinsdale

Hinsdale's "finest's" Police car parked along a side street

One of many homes with a very large yard in Hinsdale

There are a couple of 'red brick' residential streets in Hinsdale, keeping its historic factor alive

Hinsdale is a haven for landscaping companies as one finds landscaping equipment along streets all spring, summer, and fall

Landscapers working around large homes and mansions in Hinsdale is a common sight

Most residential streets in Hinsdale are tree-lined

As often seen in Hinsdale, a home under construction or being remodeled

View of train depot parking lot and the park in Downtown Hinsdale

Fountain located in the middle of the park in Downtown Hinsdale

Robert Frost statue sitting, facing the water fountain, in the Downtown Hinsdale Park

Close-up of the Robert Frost statue sitting in the Downtown Hinsdale Park

The Metra train passes through the center of town - travels east/west from Chicago all the way out to Aurora which is about 50 miles west of Chicago

An east view of the train tracks which connect Chicago to Aurora - passing through Hinsdale

A pedestrian crosswalk near Downtown Hinsdale with the gate down, lights flashing, as the Metra train nears from Chicago

Pedestrian crosswalk near Downtown Hinsdale with the gate down, lights flashing, and a warning to not cross when trains are approaching

Hinsdale's very trusting "finest" leaving a vehicle parked and unattended with the windows down along a side street

Union Church's front view near Downtown Hinsdale

The beautiful Union Church near Historic Downtown Hinsdale

Union Church corner signage near Historic Downtown Hinsdale

Hinsdale Church's "Handicapped Sunday Only" sign

Young man retrieving shopping carts at an independently-owned supermarket - wearing white slacks, dress shirt, and a tie

Independently-owned supermarket near Historic Downtown Hinsdale

Hinsdale Public Transportation - Bus parked across from the park Downtown

The home of the Hinsdale Fire Department

Signage to a historic well site along the train tracks near Downtown Hinsdale

Building containg a historic well near the train tracks near Downtown Hinsdale

Mother Nature as found throughout Hinsdale (as photographed in the spring of 2009)

Hinsdale's Youth Center near Downtown Hinsdale

Many pricy vehicles are seen driving through Hinsdale and parked in front of residences

Mother Nature along a Hinsdale street in front of a huge mansion

A block of iron fencing and greenery blocks the view of one of the biggest mansions in Hinsdale

Back entryway to a huge mansion in Hinsdale

Large home with brick walkway leading to and around the home in Hinsdale

Many nice cars are seen driving through Hinsdale and parked in front of residences

A pricy, busy car wash near Historic Downtown Hinsdale

A main thoroughfare through Hinsdale's south side is 55th Street where the Hinsdale High School and football field are located

For Sale by Owner signage - as rarely found in Hinsdale

Many bike riders, walkers, and joggers are found at the edge of Hinsdale streets when weather permits

A one-lane street (with cars traveling north while cars traveling south are stopped) overpasses the train tracks just east of Downtown Hinsdale next to the Hinsdale Hospital

Traffic driving over the one-lane bridge near Hinsdale Hospital - south view

The one-lane bridge near Hinsdale Hospital - north view

Main entrance to Katherine Legge Memorial Park in the Village of Hinsdale along County Line Road between 55th Street and Plainfield Avenue

Hinsdale Center for the Arts is located within the massive park

Lacrosse game in action on a field at Katherine Legge Memorial Park

Lacrosse players along the sidelines at a game played at Katherine Legge Memorial Park

Pavillion for picnics at Katherine Legge Memorial Park

Rustic statue found along the roadway within Katherine Legge Memorial Park

One of many walkers at the Katherine Legge Memorial Park

Which way to go is posted at Katherine Legge Memorial Park which houses many things

A different park on the northern end of Hinsdale surprising says "No Dogs" when there are so many in the community

Veteran at a busy intersection collecting for Veterans just before Memorial Day 2009

At times, modest homes are found at the north end of Hinsdale near Ogden Avenue

Strange block-fellows: this grand home is across the street from the house pictured above - with some owners upscaling and others not, this is what is found along some blocks near the north end of Hinsdale

Little League Baseball is big business in Hinsdale

Dog walking is a common sight in Hinsdale

The McDonalds in Hinsdale - it's just as classy inside

Farmer's Market takes place at this strip mall on the northern end of Hinsdale

The Robert Crown Center for Health Education in Hinsdale - famed for teaching bused-in student visitors for decades

Love this sign at the Robert Crown Center - recognizes teachers as doing the work which they always do

Beautiful home and yard with an S-shaped curved drive on the northern end of Hinsdale

Another case of strange block-fellows as this small house is three houses away from the home pictured above

A clock tower in an office park near Ogden Avenue on the north end of Hinsdale

Traffic backing up as a train passes through downtown Hinsdale - a drawback from having available commuter traffic running through the center of the village

A view of the U.S. Post Office in Hinsdale from across the tracks on the south

Business district with independently-owned shops in Downtown Hinsdale

The busiest intersection just south of the tracks in Downtown Hinsdale where the Corner Bakery occupies the corner is quiet after the shops close

One of Illinois' most crossed intersections near I-294 entrance and exit ramps in Hinsdale - Ogden Avenue and York Road

Hordes of traffic traveling south on I-55, passing just south of Hinsdale, during rush hour

South view of the large Hinsdale Junior High School near Downtown

This is the only bar in Hinsdale - "grandfathered" in since the city went dry, so I'm told

Hinsdale Central High School's athletic field

School buses and Hinsdale Police near crosswalk at 55th Street when Hinsdale Central High School dismisses

School and sports are big in Hinsdale - signage at the Hinsdale Central High School's athletic field

Following the low in-village speed limit of 25mph is wise in Hinsdale

Signage along Tollway 294 at Hinsdale's eastern border

Tollway 294 headed south along Hinsdale's eastern border at the western edge of Cook County

Hinsdale Oasis stretches above Tollway 294 at the eastern border of Hinsdale

Comments

Marilyn Hewitt on June 01, 2019:

My husband David and I grew up in Hinsdale. Sadly, a large number of homes have been demolished and replaced with homes too large for their lot size. As this happened, the economic diversity of the community gradually diminished; when we return for a high school reunion we find few local alumni who can afford to live where they grew up. It is a beautiful town, but it takes $$$ to live there now.

Tom Svoboda on March 22, 2012:

After growing up in Hinsdale in the 1950's -1970's, I still feel this is home. It was a wonderful place during that time period!

Thomas on January 29, 2011:

Very well done. Hinsdale is nice, isn't it?

KKlimpert on November 02, 2010:

I grew up playing in the park near the old train station. That was a beautiful park, and I was disappointed you didn't have any pictures of it or the old station, that I hope is still there. There will always be a place in my heart for Hinsdale. Clarendon Hills is a neat place, too. Thank you for your pictures.

Michael Shane from Gadsden, Alabama on March 13, 2010:

Looks like a great place to live....Need to visit someday! I'll have to bookmark it for later!

Sean on October 21, 2009:

Fairly accurate depiction. If I had the money that these people do, I wouldn't want to live there, all the homes are extremely close together! Funny, I ride my bike through there all the time, the only people you see are the roofing/ lawn/ driveway/ construction/ property maintenance people. Never see kids playing, or anyone else for that matter. Strange?? Make no mistake, to live here you need major bucks. I'm talking mid six figures-!!

Tom the bomb on September 29, 2009:

Great pictures. I live here, and sometimes become desensitized to how nice the town is.

tommy on June 29, 2009:

Great pictures that really capture Hinsdale. It is a beautiful town, and your pictures accurately portray it.

Pierre on June 14, 2009:

Thanks for an informative article and some superb photographs - its been a pleasure browsing!

Greetings from Cape town, Pierre

Laura on June 11, 2009:

I've lived in Hinsdale since I was 2, and am now 23. Picture 10 is a house I've loved since I was a kid - but same as the writer of this article, I know a house like that requires a full staff! I'd rather not have to employ people just to keep my house looking decent :). Also, picture 79 is of Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist church. It's affiliated with Hinsdale Adventist Academy which is on the northeast side of town, right up against 294, but unfortunately isn't included in this group of photographs. Very accurate description of the town overall.

Morie on May 28, 2009:

Wow, what a nice place. You've captured enticing views, love to live in that seemingly perfect place.

Chicago on May 28, 2009:

What a nice tribute to a nice west suburban town. Thank you for writing and photographing this article.

Jus_passin by on May 24, 2009:

I work in Hinsdale. Live in the burb just 3 mins west of H-dale.

This article is an accurate potrayal of the town.

Good Job!

Kushal Poddar from Kolkata,India on May 18, 2009:

Charming cohabitation of green and human being.