Lombard known for its lilacs and historical homes

Known as the Lilac Village, Lombard explodes with lilac bushes, tulips and other spring flowers every May in Lilacia Park, attracting thousands of visitors to the community every year.

Lilacia Park evolved from the private gardens of local resident Colonel William Plum who donated his home and gardens to the village of Lombard.

Since 1930, the village has hosted the annual "Lilac Time in Lombard," a 16-day festival that started May 3 with the coronation of the Lilac Queen and her court and ends Sunday with the grand finale -- the Lilac Festival Parade.

"Our lilac festivities are a lot of fun for the community, and everyone comes out and gets involved," said Kathy Volpe, real estate agent with RE/MAX Achievers in Lombard.

Lombard is also known for its historical homes and distinctive architecture. In the north and central portions of the village, tree-lined neighborhoods with turn-of-the-century homes prevail. Newer subdivisions are in the eastern, western and southern areas of the village.

"We have a couple neighborhoods on each side of the train tracks near Main Street and Maple Street that have some really classic older homes that are nicely cared for and very interesting," said Realtor John Reedy of JW Reedy Realty in Lombard.

Typically, Lombard has mostly older homes that were built in the 1950s and before. Now vacant lots are going for $250,000 to $300,000. First-time home buyers can get in a small house in Lombard for about $250,000 while new homes run in the $600,000 to $700,000 range, Volpe said.

"For years, there wasn't much new development, but some land was developed, and new homes are available. There is a lot of inventory right now, and it's a buyer's choice."

"Housing in Lombard includes everything from little bungalows to the new McMansions with every luxury you can imagine. The latest phase in the last eight to 10 years has been larger houses that are kind of squeezed onto the lots, but they're really nice," Reedy said.

Lombard is the up-and-coming place to be, Volpe said. "We have a new Westin. We have a lot of things going on in Lombard. And our office is right here in the hub of everything."

The village sponsors many events to promote the downtown business district. Thursday night is ladies night where businesses stay open late and offer various activities, specials and refreshments. Saturday night is cruise night. In the summer, there is live music. "It's a great town," Volpe said. "My motto is I love Lombard, so will you."

Lombard Town Centre is a civic organization of downtown businesses that wants to preserve, promote and beautify the historic downtown area, Reedy said. Reedy, a member of the organization, said last year Lombard unleashed dogs decorated by local artists sponsored by local businesses to draw attention to the downtown area. The money went toward rescue charities, which was good, Reedy said.

Lombard residents have easy access to expressways. I-88 is on its southern boundary, and the North-South Tollway (I-355) runs along its western edge. The Tri-State Tollway (I-294) is four miles to the east.

"One thing that has totally improved getting around in the last 10 years is I-355, which makes it very convenient to travel north or south," Reedy said. "Also, the underpass under the train is a huge nice thing in our town."

Reedy believes that no one aspect of Lombard attracts buyers to the village, but everything about the community brings buyers to Lombard. "Everything from its friendly civic clubs and that kind of thing, library to the park district, schools to the churches, downtown and Yorktown. I really think Lombard has a lot to offer.

"We have the greatest parks. There are places to have a picnic or ball game, and a lot of people are into that Frisbee golf. We have a nice stretch of the prairie path that I use for bike rides."

The park district does such a great job at Lilacia Park. They really deck out for Lilac week with beautiful landscaping, and there's quite a display of lilacs and tulips, Reedy said. "In fact, I host a sales meeting outside there every year. We bring in coffee and breakfast. The Realtors love it."

Lombard used to be the best kept secret of affordable homes, great schools and good park district, Volpe said. "But the secret is out. More and more people are coming to Lombard."

Historical timeline

1837: Artist Sheldon Peck and his wife Harriet moved to Lombard from New York. The Peck House served as the first school and was restored by the Lombard Historical Society.

1848: Galena & Chicago Union Railroad rail access to Chicago

1869: Village incorporated

1870: First Church of Lombard built. The church bell was the town's fire alarm until 1910.

1878: Hammerschmidt Brick & Tile Co. was built

1881: Little Orphan Annie House built at 119 N. Main St. Harold Gray used the house as a model for the mansion in his comic strip.

1891: Ellen Martin, first woman to vote in Illinois

1905: Josiah Reade House built, first library

1927: Plum Library and Lilacia Park founded

1930: First annual Lilac Festival and Parade

Village facts and figures

Population: 43,894

Land use percentages:

58.5% residential

9.7% commercial

10.9% industrial

13.6% public/semi-public

7.3% vacant

Largest employers:

Aspect Software

SGS North American Mineral Services

Acosta Sales & Marketing Company

Hillcrest Property Management Company

Famous sons and daughters:

• Harold Gray: originator of Little Orphan Annie comic strip

• Daniel Tani: astronaut

• Ted Kaczynski: convicted domestic terrorist and Unabomber

• Robert Gill: actor in The DaVinci Code

Kathy Volpe

RE/MAX Achievers, Lombard

Call: (630) 678-0300

E-mail: kathy@kathyvolpe.com

Selling in Lombard: 31 years

Favorite hangout: Praga Restaurant

John Reedy

JW Reedy Realty, Lombard

Call: (630) 629-0016

E-mail: johnreedy@jwreedymail.com

Selling in Lombard: 25 years

Favorite hangout: Rock Bottom Brewery