Original Rolling Meadows

The Kimball Hill subdivision began when developer Kimball Hill built small, affordable ranch homes starting in 1953 and named this development Rolling Meadows.

With assembly line production of 20 houses a week, Hill sold 700 houses by 1955. Today, the Kimball Hill area comprises much of what has become the city of Rolling Meadows,

These homes were built with two or three bedrooms and one bath with a large kitchen. An area for the washer and dryer sits near the kitchen just off a side-door entryway.

Today, these original, well-kept Kimball Hill homes 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 often enlarge their houses.

Cindy and Al Razgaitis are one of many residents who have updated their homes. Al's woodworking hobby prepared him for adding on a family room to the couple's moderate ranch house. He also put up new wood molding and installed updated cabinetry in the bathroom and kitchen.

The couple moved from Chicago to Rolling Meadows 36 years ago. The convenient location near their places of employment, the schools and Route 53 were a draw for the couple.

“We can go anywhere on Route 53,” Cindy Razgaitis said. “Kirchoff (Road) is like a thoroughfare going west because people are all going to the expressway. It's also a walkable neighborhood where I can walk to Jewel and other businesses on Kirchoff and to Walgreens on Campbell (Street).

“We have very nice neighbors, and we still have some original owners in their homes here. It's also a quiet street because it's one long block with a stop sign at each end, one a dead end, so we don't have much traffic.”

The Kimball Hill location is convenient, and the value is “beyond incredible,” said Basel Tarabein, broker and owner of RE/MAX at Home in Rolling Meadows. “It's the best kept secret. No one thinks of this area when they're looking for a home.

“You can still get a good home for less than $250,000, and it's a great place to raise a family.

“Before, selling it was a bit of a challenge because of Rolling Meadows High School. But its rating has gone up dramatically over the years, and now it's an attraction for homebuyers looking to move into the community. People are seeing the value of the whole package.”

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

For shopping, residents are close to Woodfield Mall min Schaumburg, stores and businesses along Golf Road and the downtowns of surrounding suburbs.

Many enhancements to the community began with Kimball Hill, who did more than build houses. 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. He 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, an educational center located in a replica of an original 1950s Kimball Hill home with authentic furnishings, appliances and accessories. The home depicts family life in the Fifties 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

<span class="fact box text bold">Price:</span> $160,000 to $300,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age:</span> 60 years old

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Kimball Hill Elementary and Carl Sandburg Junior High schools in Palatine Township Elementary District 15 and Rolling Meadows High School in Northwest Suburban High School District 214.

<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> Rolling Meadows Park District