Changes come to Hampshire, yet charm remains

Small town charm, rolling hills and scattered farms give Hampshire a unique character many homebuyers seek.

Some people want that small town feel in a rural setting where things are a little more spread out, said Bob Wisdom, Realtor with RE/MAX Horizon.

Christine Klein, who grew up three miles outside of town, remembers the fun they had as kids during the summer. "We were excited to ride bikes into town and go to Chick 'n Dip, a little drive-in restaurant that served chicken and ice cream," said Klein, Realtor and co-owner of Century 21 New Heritage.

A popular spot, Chick 'n Dip still stands along with new stores and restaurants that have come to town.

"We have a lot of businesses here, so people can shop locally and keep their money in the community," Klein said.

Wisdom has also noticed the small community's growth. "We're seeing more development with shopping and strip malls going in and the new high school," he said. "There's still a lot of open land and a lot of growth potential for Hampshire."

Residential growth was also apparent during the housing boom, when many new subdivisions sprouted up on property that had been split off from farms. Builders put up nice homes in the country with one-acre lots, Wisdom said.

The residential growth has been well received because it has been a carefully planned and controlled growth that has been slower than most communities, Klein said.

The town offers a variety of housing, from older homes to new construction and many ages in between, Wisdom said. Planted to the west of Elgin in Kane County, the community tends to have more affordable housing than other communities.

"It's a lower-priced community compared with closer-in suburbs," Klein said. "But people looking to move west will get more for their money here than in Schaumburg or Hoffman Estates.

"Prices are down about 26 percent, but we're selling a lot of houses, so inventory is turning over.

"We're still a small community with a nice community feel," Klein said. "And they hold a lot of events throughout the year that bring people together."

Hampshire just had its community street dance, and in August there's the annual town festival, Coon Creek Country Days.

An active park district hosts a lot of other events and offers a variety of activities and programs for all ages. Sports include soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, swimming, and flag football. Field trips include taking in a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. The fee includes bus transportation and ticket to the game

Hampshire also has excellent schools and public services, making it an ideal town for families. Schools are part of Unit Community Unit District 300, with administrative offices in Carpentersville, but Hampshire has its own elementary schools (including one new building), a middle school and a new high school.

The historic Muirhead Farmhouse remains a little known architectural treasure that is still in the family. Now a Bed and Breakfast, the Farmhouse welcomes guests to enjoy life in the country, the beauty of the Illinois prairie and a hearty, country breakfast. The farmhouse sits on a two-acre lot with mature gardens and trees and is surrounded by nearly 800 acres of active farmland and restored prairie grasslands owned by the Kane County Forest Preserve.