Hoffman Estates turning 50

It's almost 50 years later, but Pat Barch still recalls the smell of fresh corn wafting across the farmlands that were developed into Hoffman Estates.

"Oh yes, I miss the slower pace of life," said Barch, the village historian. "The highways were only two lanes. You only had lights at major intersections."

Reflecting on the village's 50th anniversary, celebrated with a gala Saturday night, Barch and others said no one back then would've predicted the rise of the now-defunct Poplar Creek Music Theater or that Sears would vacate its namesake tower in Chicago and move its headquarters to the village.

What would grow to be Hoffman Estates began as a 300-acre subdivision that lured World War II veterans from Chicago with the promise of affordable homes.

But the expansion of O'Hare International Airport and construction of I-90 would change the face of the village, as did the opening of Woodfield Shopping Center in 1971 in neighboring Schaumburg.

What was a community of about 8,000 spread over 3 square miles in 1959 has grown to more than 50,000 people over about 19 square miles.

"My dad was shocked at what happened," said Buz Hoffman, son of the village's first developer and namesake Jack Hoffman, who started building homes in an area bounded by Higgins, Golf and Roselle roads with his father Sam in the 1950s. "It just took a life of its own and become a staple for the Northwest suburbs, but it was never intended to be."

Jack Hoffman, who died last year at 85, remained proud of his legacy and what Hoffman Estates had become.

"He took it as a badge of honor," his son said.

Getting on the map

During the 1980s and '90s, as Hoffman Estates expanded north and west along I-90, its regional prominence grew with the opening of Poplar Creek in 1980. But arguably what really put the village on the map was the development of a former quarry into the Prairie Stone Business Park - and the move there in the early '90s of Sears from its iconic Chicago namesake tower.

Along with that growth, the village has become much more diverse, with residents of a variety of backgrounds, jobs and ethnicities moving in. The latest U.S. Census numbers shows 32 percent of residents are minorities.

Though Jack Hoffman was one of the first area developers to sell to nonwhites, the current diversity surprised event him.

"All he said was, 'If you want a house, I don't care what language you speak or what color you are. You're going to be welcome in the community,'" Buz Hoffman said of his father.

Muzzamil Siddiqui has lived in the village since 2001 and said he feels welcome, which has a secondary effect on children raised in the village.

"Our children are the future of Hoffman Estates," he said. "Having been raised in a very diverse environment, they will be well-prepared to enter careers in the area and truly embrace diversity."

Still, growing pains

But becoming a diverse, regional presence has not been without its struggles. And as it celebrates its 50th birthday, Hoffman Estates is facing some major challenges.

A financial crunch has put a strain on resources and threatened village jobs. The vision to create an entertainment hub in the Prairie Stone area near a new Cabela's superstore has floundered, with plans for a new amphitheater having stalled.

But the biggest stumbling block has been the Sears Centre arena.

Announced with much fanfare and seen as another way for Hoffman Estates to be a regional presence and entertainment draw, the arena has failed to turn a profit in its three years in business.

Now the village is set to take it over - and assume payments on the $55 million construction loan. That could cost taxpayers tens of millions more if the village can't turn the arena's fortunes around.

Symbolic of the struggle for the arena to attract and maintain events, the anniversary gala itself was moved from the Sears Centre to the Marriott Chicago Northwest.

Getting over hurdle

Former village attorney Dick Williams worked for the village for 34 years, starting soon after a development kickback scandal led to the federal indictment of six village officials. Williams served four mayors and 77 trustees during his tenure. He helped oversee the arena deal before retiring and moving in 2007 to Florida. He still sees success for the arena, crediting current leadership that's focused on its goals.

"As the economy returns and the entertainment complex takes life, the bump in the road will soon be forgotten," he said. "The demographics of the area and the planning of the Prairie Stone development will assure ultimate success."

For Barch, who saw her beloved Lindbergh Schoolhouse, an 88-year-old single-room school off Shoe Factory Road, razed two years ago, changes are the norm. She's seen friends like longtime Mayor Virginia Hayter move away.

Barch has also seen the relationship between officials from Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg change from rivalry to cooperation.

And she's still proud to call the village home.

"I think this is a very well-balanced village," Barch said. "Don't you?"

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