Wayne rooted in rustic ways
Recently when Tony Stefancic was discussing the real estate market and a home he had listed in Wayne with another Realtor, she responded, "Where's Wayne? Is it by Sugar Grove?"
If Wayne is the best-kept secret in the Fox River Valley, Stefancic, broker-associate with RE/MAX Suburban, wants to let the secret out.
Wayne is a quiet, quaint residential community with a rich equestrian history. It is one of the few communities in northeastern Illinois that provides miles of equestrian paths and dozens of horse farms, riding centers and boarding stables.
Founded in 1834, the small village sits within the natural landscape of the Fox River Valley just west of Route 59, between Bartlett and St. Charles in Kane and DuPage counties.
Wayne's equestrian history dates back to 1865 when Mark Dunham began breeding and selling Percheron horses on 1,700 acres of land known as Oaklawn Farm. Dunham's residence, Dunham Castle, as well as Oaklawn Farm and the "village" are listed as historic districts in the National Register of Historic Places.
While some Wayne residents are natives, many have moved to the village because of its rural, relaxed atmosphere and they want an alternative to the standard subdivision, said Leslie Ebersole, Realtor with Baird & Warner.
"In the village, a lot of people from New England or small towns like owning the older homes that have so much character and charm. Some people buy darling little cottage houses with a lot of history to them."
It's not unusual for village residents to have post office boxes for years because they like walking to the post office to pick up their mail, read the posted notices and socialize, Ebersole said.
"As you move into the traditional older area of Wayne, west of Dunham Road running to the river, homes are mostly on four acres and even more in Kane County. Some are quite grand estates, and others an interesting variety of homes.
"Residents are a blend of people from all walks of life," Ebersole said. "You could have an artist next to a Fortune 500 corporate executive."
Author Marguerite Henry and her horse Misty were longtime residents of Wayne. Henry, who wrote "Misty of Chincoteague," owned Misty and kept her on her Army Trail Road estate named Mole Meadow. Each year Henry brought Misty to Wayne Elementary School and celebrated the horse's birthday with the school children.
Today housing in Wayne varies from small bungalows to multi-million-dollar estates. With prices right now, buyers can get a great deal on homes that were priced much higher a few years ago, Stefancic said.
"Currently 52 homes are for sale in Wayne ranging in price from $279,900 for a two-story, three-bedroom, two-bath home to $3,555,500 for an 8,000-square-foot estate with four bedrooms, 5 baths on five acres. The median sold price in 2008 is $599,000."
People who live in Wayne like their quiet way of life, Ebersole said. "It's sort of this little enclave surrounded by conveniences."
For recreation, the Wayne-DuPage Hunt Pony Club is one of only two active fox hunt groups in the Chicago area, with no foxes harmed during the hunts.
Also, Wayne is home to Pratt's Wayne Woods, one of the largest forest preserves in DuPage County, where visitors can experience nature, cross-country skiing, hiking, fishing and camping and ride horses on more than 12 miles of trails.
The ponds and lake are stocked with fish; there's a campground for youth groups and an equestrian jump area in part of the preserve as well as a dog training area and a model airplane field.
"The forest preserve is just a gem," Ebersole sale. "You can walk in there and not see 10 people in two hours."