Original Lindenhurst maintains an open, wooded feel

In 1953, Morton Engle built the first homes in Lindenhurst behind what is now Linden Plaza. As home construction continued and people moved out for the country air and open space, the original area gradually encompassed a larger area.

Thus, people often refer to the area roughly north of Grand Avenue, south of Rolling Ridge Lane, east of Fairfield Road and west of Ironwood Drive as original (or old) Lindenhurst.

The homes are diverse because different builders developed the area over many years. Today, the area is comprised of ranches, raised ranches, tri-levels and two stories, said Dawn Froberg, a resident of original Lindenhurst who works as a real estate broker with Real Living Properties in Gurnee.

“There’s an abundance of trees here, and lots are a little larger than most of the newer developments around us. There have always been a couple yards where the men are so particular about their grass that people take notice and strive to make their yards better. There’s a lot of pride in homeownership here.”

Froberg moved to the Lindenhurst area because of its rural feel. “It has grown a lot during the past 26 years, but it still has that small-town feeling. It’s nice because I work in Gurnee, but I can come home and have that country feel.”

The rural atmosphere and Millburn schools attracted Georgia and Wayne Herman to the area in 1965. They had been renting a place in Millburn and wanted to own a house while remaining in the same school district. So they had a tri-level house built on a corner lot and hadn’t lived there long when the lot next to it came up for sale.

“We bought the lot and in 2001 sold our house and built a new one,” Georgia Herman said. “It’s a nice comfortable house with everything on one floor. I always said if anyone is going to put a house on that lot, it’s going to be us.”

When the Hermans first moved to the area in the 1960s, there were few people because the neighborhood hadn’t been built up yet. But in their little section, everyone who was there, knew everyone else. It became easy to meet neighbors when many of them were involved with things going on at the schools. “Now many friends we knew passed on or moved to a warmer climate, but there are a few who still live here.”

For the Hermans, living in Lindenhurst has become a family affair. Wayne and Georgia had three children go through area schools; their daughter lived in the same little neighborhood and her kids went to the same schools. And now even their great grandkids are continuing the family trend.

For recreation, Froberg likes that people are often out walking and riding their bikes, and kids are running cross country. “That’s real common here, but people in many communities don’t do that.”

Also, nearby McDonald Woods Forest Preserve is a beautiful place to walk. People walk their dogs and ride their bikes there. “The large farms have disappeared, but there’s a lot of forest preserve land that cushions us from the suburban sprawl,” Froberg said.

The picturesque preserve is comprised of rolling hills, steep ravines, restored prairies and oak woodlands. It has miles of trails for biking, hiking and cross-country skiing, which are part of the Millennium Trail.

Residents have access to even more recreation through the Lindenhurst Park District, which receives rave reviews. Since 1988, the park district has been one of the fastest growing park and recreation agencies in Lake County in terms of programs, parks and facilities.

As Froberg sees it, other plusses to living in original Lindenhurst are the excellent library residents share with Lake Villa, which is within five minutes of everyone’s home. Other amenities including shopping and entertainment within 10 minutes. And when shopping locally, proprietors know you and you know them. The town also has a postal substation that adds a convenience for residents.

Lindenhurst

<B>Price range:</B> $70,000 to $300,000

<B>Age of homes: </B>15 to 55 years old

<B>Schools:</B> B J Hooper Elementary and Palombi Middle schools in Lake Villa Elementary District 41 and Grayslake North High School in Grayslake High School District 127 or Lakes High School in Antioch High School District 117; Oakland Elementary and Antioch Upper Grade schools in Antioch Elementary District 34 or Millburn West Elementary School in Millburn Elementary District 24 and Lakes High School in Antioch High School District 117

<B>Parks:</B> Lindenhurst Park District