Honey Hill in neighborhood profile

Eighteen years ago, Carleen and Pat Molloy moved from Lily Lake to the Honey Hill subdivision in Wayne because they wanted to be a little closer to the action.

"I'm a big fan of old homes," Carleen Molloy said. "The house we bought was built in 1835, and it was like a magical place to raise children. It was charming and had such a comforting feel when we were in it. It felt like home"

In 2003, the couple updated the kitchen and added a sunroom and a second story loft to the home. The original fireplace and woodwork has been preserved. "It's a wonderful home. It has old charm with newer upgrades," Molloy said.

"We had small children at the time we purchased our home, and we liked that it was private and secluded with a lot of land and amenities," said Pat Molloy. "We have a pond in back and good grass that was great for our young kids to run around, and we have a lot of trees that give us some shade.

"The subdivision is a big cul-de-sac with good neighbors that had young kids. It was a great family atmosphere. It's a great neighborhood, and I highly recommend it."

"It's a very friendly neighborhood," Carleen Molloy said. "Our kids developed lifelong friendships with kids in the neighborhood. The bus stopped at the end of the driveway where all the kids and their parents congregated.

"Our son played in Little League and orchestra, and every summer our daughter was in The Honey Hill Kids Theater where the neighborhood kids put on a play on an outdoor stage.

"It's the perfect place for a family - so peaceful and beautiful - it really is a magical property."

Situated south of Army Trail Road on Honey Hill Drive and Honey Hill Circle, the subdivision sits on the east side of town close to major streets, said Kelly Crowe, broker associate with Baird & Warner in St. Charles.

The subdivision features custom homes with a variety of designs. Each sits on two to four acres amid beautiful surroundings.

"Although the subdivision features a private, wooded setting with a rural atmosphere, it is close to shopping and restaurants and all the amenities along the Route 59 corridor," Crowe said.

Big draws for homebuyers are the St. Charles school district and large homesites from two to four acres with horses allowed on some of the properties. People like the quaint town of Wayne with miles of equestrian trails, walking and biking paths and forest preserve property, Crowe said.

While some of the residents of Wayne are natives, the majority of the present families migrated to Wayne because it offered a rural, relaxed atmosphere. It is one of the few communities in northeastern Illinois that provides and encourages equestrian uses and facilities.

The village of Wayne is committed to preserving its equestrian heritage. The village has miles of equestrian trails, as well as dozens of horse farms, riding centers and boarding stables. The Wayne-DuPage Hunt is one of only two active fox hunt groups left in metro Chicago, with the other being the Mill Creek Hunt in far north Wadsworth. Every year, the Wayne-DuPage Hunt holds a re-enactment of a traditional English fox hunt using "drag bags" containing fox scents. No real foxes are harmed during these hunts.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price of homes:</span> $450,000 to $700,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> One home built in 1834; others 1965 to 1989

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Fox Ridge Elementary, Wredling Middle and St. Charles East High schools in St. Charles Unit District 303.

<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> None (nonresident St. Charles Park District)