|
Welcome to Des Plaines, Illinois!
Des Plaines is approximately seventeen miles from downtown Chicago and located in the heart of the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Des Plaines, IL homes for sale offer residents the convenience of being within minutes of all major transportation centers including
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport
, the Metra Commuter Train (which connects commuters to Amtrak), the Pace Suburban Bus System, CTA "L", and Interstates 90, 94, and 294.
In the 1950s, the phrase "City of Destiny" was coined by Murray Smith, the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, and Jack Hughes of Littlefuse, Inc. O'Hare Field had just come into being and these men envisioned major growth for Des Plaines. The phrase “City of Destiny” was adopted by the Chamber and became the permanent nickname of the City of Des Plaines. The city is now home to several Fortune 500 companies as well as many other industrial, commercial, retail, and service businesses. Strong economic growth gives the city’s residents low property taxes with a wide variety of city services
As of the 2000 census, Des Plaines had a total population of 58,720 which is served by elementary and middle school Districts 59 and 62 as well as high school District 207 Maine West High School and District 214 Elk Grove High School. Both of the high school districts have received national recognition. Private schools include the Science and Arts Academy, St. Zachary School, and Our Lady of Destiny.
Des Plaines Homes for Sale
Des Plaines homes for sale include older bungalows, both brick and frame, a few more elaborate homes, condos, apartments, townhomes as well as new construction to accommodate your family’s needs and preferences. The recently-revamped downtown Des Plaines boasts a new high-rise condo community and some of the units offer a beautiful skyline view of downtown Chicago.
Diversity gives "The City of Destiny" a unique flavor and has a lot to offer its residents with its numerous civic clubs and organizations, a vintage single-screen movie theatre, a local drama group, and a community orchestra. There are two golf courses, a driving range, a water park as well as a full range of programs and activities. The Des Plaines Senior Center offers an array of services and events for local seniors. To enhance the sense of community, the city has also begun "The Taste of Des Plaines," which is an annual event that features local entertainment and restaurants.
In 2000 the Des Plaines opened its doors to a brand new state-of-the-art library along with a new retail district including several new restaurants and clubs. It is committed to ongoing development within the city, including the revitalization of the downtown area. This new downtown redevelopment and new economic growth has marked the beginning of a renaissance in Des Plaines.
As one of the most economically diverse towns of fewer than 100,000 persons in the United States, with home values ranging from modestly priced housing units to $1,000,000-plus estates, Des Plaines homes for sale offer bright prospects for the future of Des Plaines and its residents.
Interesting Facts about Des Plaines, IL
A unique geological occurrence called “
The Des Plaines Disturbance
" lies below portions of Des Plaines, IL. This is an area in which the layers of sedimentary rock are highly abnormal. It is suspected that this area probably represents an ancient meteor crater. As speculated, the bedrock was highly fractured by the impact and large blocks of sediment was upended. Then at some point the crater which was created by the meteor was eventually filled by sediment from glacial activity to the point that no trace now remains on the surface today.
Another item of note about Des Plaines is that it is the home of the very first
McDonald's
restaurant to be franchised by Ray Kroc. This restaurant is now closed and has been converted to a museum.
|