Addison: Residents set for life
Addison, one of the most affordable and diverse communities in DuPage County, is home to many third- and fourth-generation residents who want to live near their families.
"I know a lot of people who have lived in Addison for more than 20 years, and now their kids are buying homes here," said Rita Neri, broker-Realtor with RE/MAX Preferred in Addison. "Once you live here, you don't want to leave - that's what I hear.
"I moved to Addison when I was 10, when my family started a business. We all lived on the same street, so when my son was growing up, he could go over to Grandma's. It was like the olden days," she said.
"My parents, brother and brothers-in-law all live in Addison. My brother built a big beautiful house, and he could have gone anyplace, but he stayed here."
Because of Addison's wide range of housing, with something for any size budget and any size family, residents can move up in the same town and retirees can stay in the town where they were raised, said Joan Sinnott, senior vice president of operations for Century 21 Lullo in Addison.
"This contributes to the sense of community that we enjoy," she said.
"This is a community where people actually talk to each other," Neri said. "It's like one big family. When you go someplace and see people, they say, 'Hi, how are you.' It's not a stuffy area. It's a nice place to raise kids."
Sinnott recalls a similar experience. "When my brother visited us, we went out to Dapper's, and six, seven or eight people came up and greeted us. People who move out of Addison say what they miss most are the people and a sense of belonging to the community."
Housing in Addison ranges from affordable starter homes to more expensive luxury homes. "You can live here for $120,000 to more than $1 million," Neri said.
Older homes on the east end consist of cozy bungalows, Cape Cods and split levels in peaceful neighborhoods with tree-lined streets. A few tear-downs have been replaced with larger homes.
In the mid-1950s, the community grew with the development of Normandy Manor and Green Meadows Estates. Single-family homes prevailed after World War II, but since then, developers have built multiple family homes, apartments, condos and townhouses because of less available land and rising construction costs.
Development on the west side includes newer subdivisions with mid-size and executive-style homes that are mostly in the entertainment corridor.
Addison is home to the fourth largest industrial park in the state, and its industrial section occupies much of the village's west and south sides. Also, 20 percent of all manufacturing companies in DuPage County are located in Addison, which produce everything from aircraft accessories to telecommunications equipment.
Because of its thriving business and industry, Addison property taxes are kept lower than most DuPage County communities.
Addison's excellent location is a big draw to prospective buyers, and Neri sees it as the biggest selling point for the community.
"You're close to shopping and highways; minutes from all major arteries, 15 minutes from Oak Brook and Woodfield (shopping centers)," she said. "And you're never in traffic to get to a highway."
Area amenities include excellent schools and park district, shopping, entertainment and community events.
"We're getting a lot more retail, restaurants, and we have the movie theater. A new library is being built. And we're going to have redevelopment at Addison and Lake Street," Neri said. "The city cares; they want to improve the area."
Sinnott says that with Addison's great entertainment corridor, people don't even need to leave town. "They can go out to eat and take in a movie. Everything is on your doorstep there."
Sinnott moved to Addison after two years of marriage with no intention of staying. Yet, 34 years later, she still lives in the same house in Addison. "I love the neighborhood; we redid the entire house," she said.
"Addison is very community-oriented. A lot of communities say that, but it's in a different sense here," Sinnott said. "We have proactive business leaders and homeowners, schools, park district. Everyone just seems to participate at a higher level than in other places.
"Addison has all the offerings and benefits of a big city combined with the friendliness of a small town."
Village facts and figures
Population: 36,378
Land use percentages:
• 56 percent residential
• 32 percent industrial
• 12 percent business, office and open space
Largest employers:
• United Parcel Service
• Pampered Chef
• Fore Supply Co., wholesale distributor of toiletries
Famous sons:
• Bobby Hull, NHL hall of famer
• Brett Hull, NHL great
• Roland Harper, former Bears running back
• Leon Spinks, former boxing champion
• Howard Sudberry, sportscaster
Favorite annual events:
• Community Days
• Concerts in the Park
Historical timeline
1834: The Bernhard Koehler and Friedrich Graue families begin a large influx of German families moving to the area.
1840s: A steam grist mill, general store, cobblestone shop and blacksmith shop are the first businesses established.
1858: School District 4 opens with its first public school; Peter Nikel is the teacher.
1864: The first Concordia University is built in Addison, staying until 1913.
1874: Evangelical Lutheran Orphan Home opens to raise, train and educate orphans. School-aged children went to St. Paul's Christian Day School.
1884: Addison incorporates; population 400.
1902: Addison State Bank, the village's first, opens.
1920s: Gravel and concrete roads replace muddy roads and dusty trails. Two lanes of Lake Street are paved in 1922. Water system installed.
1962-1965: Public library and park district established.
1998: Army Trail Boulevard from Kennedy Drive to Lake Street is designated as Addison's historical district, which includes St. Paul Lutheran Church, Addison Century House and the Addison Historical Museum.