About 55 miles west of Chicago is the small city of Plano, Illinois. Established in the 1860s, this rural community first made its name as the birthplace of the Light-Running Plano, a grain-harvesting innovation since nicknamed the Plano Reaper. Today, many will recognize Plano as the stand-in for Smallville, Kansas, Superman’s hometown in the 2013 film “Man of Steel.” Plano’s roughly 12,000 residents appreciate its quaint, pastoral feel and neighborly spirit. “We didn’t think we’d be here this long, but it’s home,” says City of Plano Alderman Barb Nadeau, a 32-year resident. “I like how quiet it is — not too far from the city, not too far into the country.”
Plano is 58 miles west of Downtown Chicago.
The community of Plano emerges as the first pioneer settlers arrive to establish farms.
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"A very proud and spirited business community"
Plano’s Main Street anchors the community with a few blocks of businesses adjacent to the train tracks. “We have a very proud and spirited business community, with a lot of small businesses in town,” Nadeau says. Main Street pedestrians can pop into a nearly 160-year-old furniture store, a pet supply shop, the local dentist’s office and more. Eateries on this drag include Uncle Lar’s Pizza, which has operated since 1983, and Ivana’s Café, a breakfast and lunch spot known for its Polish and German sausages. Just off Main Street is The Friendly Tap, a classic, wood-paneled downhome bar with a popular Friday fish fry. “They have the best burgers, plus specials all the time — a different one every night of the week,” Nadeau says.
Downtown Plano has great charm and a variety of businesses.
US-34 and train tracks run parallel to each other through the heart of Plano.
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From back-to-school bashes to basketball tournaments
Locals have an easy time connecting with their neighbors in Plano. The Plano Area Chamber of Commerce hosts year-round events, from a kid’s color run and a back-to-school bash to golf and bowling tournaments. Plano High School hosts several jam-packed sporting events, including its annual football game against rival Sandwich High School. “The high school also puts on huge basketball and wrestling tournaments every winter,” Nadeau adds. “They bring in student-athletes from various communities to participate.” Every summer, the city sponsors a midweek live music performance downtown, with food trucks providing refreshments. Independence Day week typically starts or ends with a parade and a fireworks display.
Reaper Stadium is where students of Plano High School can root for their team.
Sandwich Community High School has 595 students in grades 9-12, and is located in Sandwich, IL.
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Homes built from the 1800s to today
Most Plano homes are situated within the cluster of gridded, sidewalk-lined blocks flanking the railroad. Many New Traditional homes emerged starting in the early 2000s when the area saw a significant population increase. However, a few farmhouses date to the late 1800s, some having been restored in recent years. Ramblers from various decades, split-levels, bi-levels, and townhouses and duplexes with attached garages round out the housing stock. The average homebuyer will spend about $270,000 on a Plano property, which might buy a four-bedroom bi-level with about 1,100 square feet. Turnkey homes start in the high $100,000s for two-bedroom, single-story duplexes from the 2000s. Conversely, homebuyers could spend over $600,000 for a five-bedroom, 3,400-square-foot house on 8 acres on the outskirts of town.
The streets of Plano offer great walkability.
Plano has many beautiful historic homes to enjoy.
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Home of the Reapers
Plano’s independent school district enrolls students based on grade level rather than location. Kids from pre-K through first grade start at P.H. Miller Elementary School, which has a B-plus from Niche. They attend two more elementary schools before reaching Plano Middle School, rated a B. Plano High School, also rated a B, hosts just under 800 teens, dubbed the Reapers after Plano’s claim to agricultural fame. Along with year-round sporting events, students can participate in extracurriculars like improv and Scholastic Bowl.
PH Miller Elementary is located off of North Lew Street in Plano.
Plano Middle School serves grades seven and eight in Plano.
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Fishing, disc golf and $1 pool games
The 29-acre Foli Park is Plano’s largest green space. Here, visitors can fish in or stroll along the creek, play nine holes of disc golf and compete on the sand volleyball court. Plano City Park features a lighted softball field, a playground and creek views of its own. Indoor recreation is available on Main Street at Hometown Lanes & Sports Bar. This nostalgic bowling alley features original wood on its lanes, tournaments, leagues and $1 games of pool.
The play set at Plano City Park is shaded nicely by large oak trees.
Enjoy the scenic view on one of Foli Park's benches.
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Work in town or commute to Chicago
Amtrak serves Plano’s train station with roughly hour-long trips to Chicago. Many residents work locally, thanks to the city’s Menards Distribution Center and the Plano Molding Company. The latter is a prominent producer of hunting and fishing gear and operates a warehouse and an outlet store in town. “If you own a tackle box, that’s probably where it comes from!” Nadeau says. Farmers producing corn, soybeans, beef and other products also call the area home.
Plano station is also known as the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Depot.
Plano Molding is a large fishing and hunting store in Plano.
As Managing Broker and owner of this boutique style real estate company, Genevieve has been living in Chicago's Fox Valley since she fell in love with the area over fifteen years ago. Her interests are architecture, home design, travel. You might find her biking by the Fox River, gardening, cooking, designing on a budget, grilling pool-side, discovering antiques at the Kane County Flea Market, horse back riding and finding the best spots for local dining. Foxborough Real Estate is located in the western suburbs of Chicago 45 minutes from the Loop in beautiful Batavia Illinois, an award winning community named in the top 100 in the US by CNN Money. Genevieve specializes in Fox Valley property with a focus on the Tri-city area, and will happily offer the courtesy of traveling to her clients' homes to do business at the comfort of their kitchen table. Genevieve studied business at Loyola, Music at the American Conservatory and Pre-med at UIC before choosing the whirl-wind business of home sales. She offers personalized service with a genuine joy for working in this industry, along with in-depth knowledge of contracts, property valuation and familiarity with local information essential for your transaction's success. Ask Genevieve to find your perfect new home within your budget, or to tailor a marketing agreement to accommodate your home-sale needs today.
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