East Dundee real estate.

East Dundee, West Dundee, and Sleepy Hollow suburbs of Chicago are located in Kane County and 40 miles Northwest of the Chicago Loop. The area is also north of Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (Interstate 90).

Surrounding communities and suburbs include Carpentersville, Elgin, Barrington Hills, Algonquin, Gilberts, Pingree Grove, and South Barrington.

East Dundee
Population (2000)
Total 2,916

Source US Census

West Dundee
Population (2000)
Total 5,428

Source US Census

Sleep Hollow
Population (2000)
Total 3,553

Source US Census

West Dundee History

The West Dundee community began in 1835 when Elder John and Nancy Oatman built a tavern and store that would become the central part of West Dundee. More people moved to the area in 1837, and settler choose a lottery system to determine who would name the community.

The town was named Dundee by Alexander Gardiner after his Scottish hometown. Scotsman Allan Pinkerton made Dundee his home in 1843 and was later known as a renowned detective. Dundee became incorporated in 1867.

William Hill established the D. Hill Nursery in 1855 and specialized in the growing of fruit trees and evergreen trees. The evergreen trees became important when the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893 was hosted in Chicago and purchased many evergreens from the nursery.

After D. Hill Nursery was sold and moved to McHenry County, Spring Hill Mall was planned and eventually completed in 1980 and created new jobs for residents in West Dundee. Many attempts were made to combine East and West Dundee communities.

In 1956, a referendum was rejected by West Dundee to combine the two suburbs into one town. Another referendum was attempted in 1962, but this time, it was refused by East Dundee. Some of the historical sites in West Dundee include building used to house runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad.

East Dundee History

East Dundee was founded east of the Fox River and platted for Thomas Deweese in 1837 who owned a large part of the area. Some settlers were found on Deweese’s land and either forced to pay for the land they occupied or forced to move out.

A gristmill and bridge were both established by Deweese after 1837. And in the 1850’s, many newcomers to the area were Lutheran Germans. They built churches and distinguished themselves from West Dundee and the Scottish immigrants who made up the population on the west side of the Fox River.

In 1852, a brickyard business was established and D.H. Haeger became part owner in 1871. The village was incorporated in 1871, and the business began to create and sell tile. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 put the city in need of bricks for rebuilding. The business expanded even more by the 1920’s to include crystal and glassware.

The Historic District of East Dundee includes businesses and building along Main Street and on the Fox River. Santa’s Village Amusement Park was also built along Route 25 and brought family friendly entertainment to the area. Commerce in the area grew slowly, but the town annexed the Rockroad Industrial Park in 1984 and created the Spring Hill Ford Auto Dealership in 1990.

Sleepy Hollow History

The village of Sleepy Holly was planned by Floyd T. Falese after he purchased the Sleepy Hollow Farm in 1953. The Singing Waters House was built with two lakes and a waterfall to add to the natural beauty of the small village.

Falese quickly decided to change his plans from agricultural development and farming to the real estate development. He choose to replicate a natural setting without sidewalks and plenty of lakes stocked with fish.

The subdivisions of homes were advertised as “a retreat in the country for the common man’s boss”. Falese never planned to incorporate the area as a village. But West Dundee expanded and became closer to the Sleepy Hollow area. The village incorporated in 1958 to avoid annexation.

The population grew into the 1990’s but only in the residential aspect. Few businesses were ever established in the town. The town has no fast food restaurants and little car traffic. The village flag includes a headless horseman, a reference to Washinston Iriving’s tale of Sleepy Hollow.

East Dundee Homes for Sale are listed and priced anywhere from $70,000 to $350,000. The median value of homes is $162,700. Many of the East Dundee homes include brick exteriors, bay windows, hardwood floors, and large spacious yard.

West Dundee Homes for Sale range in price from $30,000 to $900,000. Median value of West Dundee Homes is $209,900. Homes come in a variety of styles including ranch, neo-eclectic, and farm style homes and other tons of comforts and amenities.

Sleepy Hollow Homes for Sale are priced from $130,000 to $540,000. The median value of homes in Sleepy Hollow is $246,400. Sleepy Hollow homes offer beautiful and spacious single family residences with private garages, beautiful vaulted ceilings in the entryway, private grand bathrooms, large decks, and plenty of other amenities.

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Parking in the area is convenient and always plentiful. East Dundee Parking Regulations do not allow overnight parking on streets from 2am til 6am but many residences have their own private parking in garages and driveways.

West Dundee Parking includes a winter parking ban which does not allow any street parking from 2am til 6am from November 1st to April 1st. But parking is well provided throughout the community and many homes include private off-street parking.

East Dundee Walkscore rates the community as 72% and very walkable in the central area and along the river. Similar to East Dundee, the West Dundee Walkscore is rated as 82% and considered very walkable. The Sleepy Hollow Walkscore is the lowest of the three and has a 52% and considered somewhat walkable. All three communities use cars as the primary mode of transportation.

For commuter trains to Chicago, the Milwaukee District West Metra Trains offer fast and daily service to the Northwest Suburbs as far north as Elgin. The Big Timber Metra Station and the Elgin Metra Station are both within ten miles of the Dundee area.

For local buses in the area, Pace Bus Route 552 - North State - Spring Hill Mall is a great option for those traveling between some of the Northwest suburbs most popular destinations. Some popular stops include Judson University, Pace Elgin Transportation Center, Spring Hill Mall, and Elgin Metra Station.

Pace Bus Route 543 - Dundee-Carpentersville provides a fast pace route between te Dundee area and Carpentersville. A few stops include Pace Elgin Transportation Center, Meadowdale Shopping Center, Walmart, and Elgin Metra Station.

Another local bus route is the Pace Bus Route 803 - Carpentersville Local. Route 803 provides connection to other local buses, Spring Hill Mall, Dundee-Crown High School, and many local residential neighborhoods.

Dundee Schools and local colleges provide the community amply opportunity for education and growth. Judson University is a private university that brings many young college students to the area and provides community events and adult professional programs for adults looking for continue their education.

Area Colleges / Universities
Judson University 1151 North State Street, Elgin, IL 60123
DeVry University 2250 Point Blvd. Ste. 250, Elgin, IL 60123 
Elgin Community College 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL 60123 

West Dundee / East Dundee / Sleepy Hollow / Public Schools
Community Unit School District 300 300 Cleveland Avenue, Carpentersville, IL 60110 
Dundee Highlands Elementary School (K-5) 407 S. Fifth Street, West Dundee, IL, 60118
Dundee Middle School (6-8) 4200 West Main Street, West Dundee, IL, 60118 
Dundee Crown High School (9-12) 1500 Kings Road, Carpentersville, IL, 60110 
Sleepy Hollow Elementary School (K-5) 898 Glen Oak, Sleepy Hollow, IL, 60118 
Carpentersville Middle School (6-8) 100 Cleveland Ave, Carpentersville, IL, 60110 

Area Private Schools
Saint Catherine of Siena Elementary School 845 West Main Street, West Dundee, IL 60118 
Children's House Montessori School ‎417 West Main Street, West Dundee, IL 60118 
Elgin Academy 350 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120 
Saint Edward Central Catholic High School 335 Locust Street, Elgin, IL 60123 

Dundee Nightlife provides plenty of fun and entertainment for area residents with a relaxing atmosphere and friendly bartenders. Many of the local bars are perfect for watching local sports games with friends and plenty of bar foods.

Emmett's Tavern & Brewing Company (128 W Main Street, West Dundee, IL 60118 847-428-4500) is a great place for good and craft beers freshly brewed in house. Emmett’s beers can be found bottled in stores or enjoyed fresh from the tap. Emmett’s also includes a full service restaurant. Their menu includes many appetizers, burgers, ribs, beef brisket, seafood, pasta, and plenty of delicious deserts.

Another great local hangout is at Calendo’s Bar (302 N. River Street, East Dundee, IL 60118 847-428-8006). A family owned and operated business since the 1920’s, Calendo’s is a fun and relaxing place for locals to meet up for drinks and watch the local sports game. Calendo’s is warm and inviting with fast and friendly service.

For a great place to hangout on a Saturday night, Bandito Barney's Beach Club (10 N River Street, East Dundee, IL 60118 847-426-7300) is one of the funnest and liveliest local bars. Bandito’s includes an outdoor patio that’s perfect for the summer time drinks with friends. Every day specials include plenty of drinks and food specials like burgers, beer towers, spicy wings, bombs, and chili cheese dogs.

Dundee Shopping includes retail and shopping centers throughout both East and West Dundee. Spring Hill Mall is located in West Dundee and provides plenty of designer shops, food, entertainment, children play areas, and stroller rentals. Fox Valley Flea Market is located in Elgin and provides indoor shopping at a great discount.

Clearwater Theater is perfect for live music and performance theater with fun for the whole family. Located in West Dundee, Clearwater is perfect for a first date or celebrating an anniversary. Live music and national acts are hosted at the theater.

For the local movie theater, CC Cinema 12 Movie Theatre is located in Carpentersville and offers multiple screenings of all the newest Hollywood releases including digital 3D Films. Matinee tickets are only $4.50, and be sure to arrive early grab popcorn and candy from their full concession stand.

Dundee area restaurants offer plenty of places for food and dining whether you want to dine-in or carry-out and eat at home. Restaurants include casual fine dining or the local fast food with pizza and hot dogs.

Regina’s Italian Restaurant (629 S 8th Street, West Dundee, IL 60118 847-836-0078) is one local fine dining establishment with wine list, authentic Italian pasta, pizza, and deserts. Local recommend trying their Chicken Marsala or going on Wednesday nights for the live jazz music. Regina’s is the perfect place to host a private party and have great food too.

For a quick bite to eat, Maxwell’s Hot Dogs (555 S 8th Street, Dundee, IL 60118 847-551-8888) is one of the local favorites for picking up a Chicago style hot dog. Their menu includes everything from hot dogs, Italian beef, gyros, chicken, salads, pasta, and many sides. Don’t forget to save room for a milkshake or a piece of chocolate cake.

For people who love hearty breakfast, their favorite dining spot is at Benedict’s Eggs and More (8 S River Street, East Dundee, IL 60118 847-836-2222). Their breakfast menu includes everything from omelets, eggs Benedict, hearty skillets, pancakes, quiche, and crepes. Lunch is also served at this fun diner and includes options like wraps, burgers, salads, homemade soups, and paninis.

Diamond Jim’s Bar and Grill (325 Meier Ave, East Dundee, IL 60118 847-836-1394) is one great local hangout that serves up delicious food just off the Fox River. Their menu includes a variety of specialty pizzas, fried appetizers, entrees like popcorn shrimp, fettuccine Alfredo, burgers, wraps, and a Friday night fish fry. Don’t let the bar decor confuse you, the food served here is great quality.

For local festivals resident in East and West Dundee as well as Sleepy Hollow get to enjoy the West Dundee Heritage Fest. The Heritage Fest features an antique show, pancake breakfast, parade, classic car show, chili cook off, battle of the bands, and fireworks show. Admission is free and all are welcome to park for free at Spring Hill Mall and take the trolley to the fest.

Another greatly anticipated event is the Dickens in Dundee, a celebration of the Christmas holidays. The event includes a petting zoo, fireside reading and film screenings of A Christmas Carol, gingerbread house, pine trees for sale, Christmas caroling, and tons of family friendly celebration of the biggest American holiday.

Dundee Township Park District provides parks and athletic programs for resident of all ages in Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow, West Dundee, and East Dundee. Some features include community centers, aquatic center, athletic fields, playgrounds, walking trails, and plenty of other great features are included in Dundee Township Parks.