Neighborhood profile: Kimball Hill, Rolling Meadows

The Kimball Hill subdivision began when builder Kimball Hill constructed small, affordable ranch homes in 1953 and named his development Rolling Meadows.

With an assembly line production of 20 houses a week, Hill sold 700 houses by 1955. These homes were built with two or three bedrooms and one bath, said real estate broker Dick Fulk, owner of Century 21 RD Fulk & Associates in Arlington Heights.

"The wife always liked the kitchen. It was a large room for the price of the home — 12-by-14 (feet) or 12 by 16 — and was laid out where the washer and dryer were near the kitchen just off the side door entry," he said.

Today, these original, well-kept Kimball Hill homes, which make up most of the village of Rolling Meadows, sit on tree-lined streets with mature landscaping and nicely tended yards.

People like living in the community so much that when they need more space, rather than sell their homes and move, they choose to enlarge their residences, Fulk said.

"You see all kinds of two-story additions, or split levels that have been extended out the back of the home because most of the homes have deep lots," Fulk said. "And the village is very cooperative about letting people put on additions."

Mary and John Jones live in a former ranch home where previous owners put on a second-story addition.

"We had the only two-story home on the block and didn't even realize it until someone said 'You have the biggest house on the block,'" Mary said. "Then as the years went by, two more homeowners added on to their homes.

"We also have a nice large deck. It's really a nice house. We couldn't afford to buy it today."

The couple rented a house near the library for several years, then 13 years ago purchased the two-story home because they loved the village and wanted their two children to remain in the same schools.

Rolling Meadows has been a perfect place to raise a family, Mary said. "It's always been wonderful here."

Kimball Hill is a family-oriented subdivision where a lot of relatives live — brothers, sisters, cousins, Fulk said. "It's unique because children who grew up in the community often come back to live there themselves.

"Because many of the small ranch homes are still affordable, they make great starter homes for first-time buyers," Fulk said. "I've sold a lot of starter homes to young married couples for their first home."

Rolling Meadows is known for its excellent village services. Mary loves to brag about the snow removal that she says is at least twice as good as an adjacent community. And even real estate taxes are low because of the commercial part of the village, Fulk said.

Another plus for Kimball Hill is its convenient location in the heart of town near the schools, local shopping, library and Route 53.

Many residents also work in the community, including some employees of the Cook County circuit court building at Euclid Avenue and Wilke Road.

"I've sold to people who work at the courthouse because they could walk there or easily drive to work," Fulk said.

The park district is also a big part of community life offering many classes, opportunities for recreation and sports activities, as well as two pools — the Nelson Sports Complex pool and the smaller Plum Grove pool.

Many enhancements to the community began with Kimball Hill, who did more than build homes. He donated $200 per home for a school system, then built and equipped the first elementary school. He also founded the Rolling Meadows Homeowners Association to create community spirit, donated land for parks and funded the Clearbrook Center, a home for people with developmental disabilities.

Local history buffs will appreciate the Rolling Meadows Historical Museum, which includes an educational center and a replica of an original 1950s Kimball Hill home with authentic furnishings, appliances and accessories from that decade. The home depicts family life in the '50s, down to details such as a Singer sewing machine, S&H green stamps and Lincoln Logs. The idea was to create a museum that did not feel like a museum.

Listing sheet

<b>Price range: </b>$100,000 to $220,000

<b>Age of homes: </b>Around 55 years old

<b>Schools: </b>Kimball Hill Elementary and Carl Sandburg Junior High schools in Palatine Township District 15, and Rolling Meadows High School in Northwest Suburban High School District 214.

<b>Parks: </b>Rolling Meadows Park District