Chicago Suburb Spotlight: Naperville, IL
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Located some 35 miles from the center of Chicago, the city of Naperville is a lot more than just another Chicagoland suburb. On the surface, it seems to have a lot in common with its neighbors: former farm town with a post-war population boom, a historic downtown area along the Metra commuter rail, and highly regarded schools. After a basic Google search of Naperville, however, it is impossible to ignore the numbers: a population of nearly 150,000, top-ranked schools and libraries, and an annual regular on Money Magazine’s Top 10 Cities to Live list. While those numbers make a good argument for homebuyers to consider Naperville, it is the very real sense of community — impossible to quantify — that makes this truly a great place to live that residents love. I should know -- I grew up there.
History and Heritage
Incorporated 160 years ago as a small farming community along the DuPage River, Naperville for much of that time as a quaint, small town. It wasn’t until after WWII that this little farm town started to become an important center in DuPage County. The development of the interstates was quickly followed by major research labs moving into the area. Bell Labs, Nalco, BP along with the government's Fermi Lab started the trend, with many more companies establishing their corporate headquarters along the stretch now known as the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor. As these labs and tech-heavy enterprises opened, the surrounding communities absorbed the influx of highly skilled workers and researchers heading for these labs. Naperville was a particularly popular destination, with the population rising from about 7,000 in 1950 to nearly 130,000 in 2000.
Even with this explosive growth, Naperville has, seemingly against all odds, maintained a charming small-town feel by protecting its beloved historic buildings and traditions over the years. Save for some modern signage, much of Downtown retains its historic feel with commercial buildings, some over a hundred years old, making up the bulk of the area. The surrounding blocks are filled with homes of various eras dating back to the city’s founding, carefully preserved and evaluated by the city for their historical significance. The city places such a high priority on its history that it moved several of its original buildings to Naper Settlement, an outdoor history museum comprised of more than 30 historical buildings, many of which come from all over the city. Opened in 1969, the museum is staffed by workers and volunteers in period attire who lead tours for visitors. A visit to the museum has become something of a cherished tradition for Naperville’s schoolchildren with generations of students having fond memories of their inevitable field trip to this treasured destination.
As with many other historic communities, Naperville’s attractions and traditions are usually centered around its Downtown. Events here include Memorial and Labor Day parades with floats, antique cars, and Naperville’s Municipal Band. Established in 1859, the band holds well-attended weekly concerts in the summer at its bandshell in Central Park. Of particular note is their Fourth of July concert, which always features a performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with neighboring churches ringing their bells and a number of real cannons firing. It is definitely something to see (and hear).
Parks and Recreation
Centennial Beach is among the most popular destinations during the summer. This beach was a quarry that was filled with water before opening to the public in the early 1930s. Located along Naperville’s Riverwalk and holding some six million gallons of water as deep as 15 feet, it is certainly no ordinary pool. If you’re not too crazy about swimming, then just head over to the other side of the river where there is another water-filled quarry used for paddleboats and kayaks. Rentals are surprisingly inexpensive and provide a great, more tranquil aquatic experience.
It’s very clear: people in Naperville love getting out. With over 2,400 acres of land divided into 130 parks, there’s no excuse for not getting out. Enjoy a game of golf? There are two public 18-hole courses with ample tee times. Hockey player? There are two outdoor rinks. Fancy yourself a marksman? The Park District maintains both an archery range and trap shooting range. These are a few of the unique facilities in the vast network of parks and open spaces. The park district is also responsive to the changing needs and wants of the community. A great example of this is the opening of Naperville’s first cricket pitch a few years ago, a sport that’s wildly popular in the city.
The end of summer and the return to school is marked every year by another festival, The Last Fling. Like most events Downtown, this festival includes pony rides, a parade, and musical performances. Though bittersweet for some, the event is among the best attended in Naperville. Proceeds from the event benefit the Naperville Jaycees, a local philanthropic organization.
Schools
It is in late summer that students begin filing back into Naperville’s three high schools, eight middle schools, and 34 elementary schools. Split amongst two districts, NCUSD 203 and Indian Prairie, these schools are a major reason why Naperville is such a highly regarded place to live. Naperville’s schools consistently rank among not only the best in the state, but also the best in the country. State assessment test scores as well as SAT and ACT scores routinely demonstrate the high-quality education students receive in Naperville.
My alma mater, Naperville Central High School, boasts that 95% of graduates in 2016 are attending college with the remaining 3% entering military service or vocational training programs. The student-to-teacher ratio is currently right at 15:1 with many of those teachers holding advanced degrees and teaching courses that, frankly, were in some cases more rigorous than comparable college courses I took. There were also loads of extracurricular activities to keep me busy and out of trouble (well, for the most part). I was on the selection committee for the annual Literary Magazine, a sports photographer for the school newspaper, and a drum major for the Marching Redhawks during my time there (I was obviously a super cool guy in high school). The ability to explore my non-academic interests in a well-supported setting played a major role in setting me up for success later in life.
The Community
Naperville’s abundance of research labs and corporate headquarters rely on attracting the best and most talented people to stay competitive. Because of this, Naperville has become something of a global city. Even on a short drive through the city you cannot help but notice the wide range of houses of worship. Explore a little further and you’ll find H-Mart, a massive Asian grocer, or Garden Fresh Market, which offers Eastern European fare. A variety of clubs, online groups, and community organizations serve not only to promote the diverse range of cultures in the city, but also to welcome new residents arriving from all over the world.
This strong sense of community, combined with the great schools, has greatly enriched my life. While formal education is great there’s often as much to be learned from these sorts of interpersonal experiences. Growing up, I had friends from Spain, South Korea, Argentina, Taiwan, and India, just to name a few. I’ve learned and experienced so much by having met people in Naperville who are from all over the world. It has supplemented my formal education and made me into the curious person I am today.