Prairie Grove

Hugging the western banks of the scenic Fox River, Colby Point is a laid-back Prairie Grove community known for its peaceful vibes and natural beauty. “It’s a quiet area with an almost-rural atmosphere,” says Cornelia Wismer, a local real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Though close to the amenities of downtown McHenry, residents get to enjoy a tucked-away life on the river, with access to outdoor opportunities like Stickney Run Conservation Area and fresh produce grown by neighbors. “The lakes and natural areas are a big draw for homebuyers,” Wismer says. The 629 acres of Stickney Run Conservation Area sit in the northwestern part of the neighborhood. Many come here to take in nature through its 1.25 miles of wooded trails and planned outdoor activities. “We offer a variety of programming out there throughout the year and for all ages,” says Bri Roeser, a McHenry County Conservation District representative. This programming includes gritty restoration days and the Awesome Art For Families program, which guides the attendees through the process of creating art. Boating on the Fox River is another popular activity thanks to private backyard docks and Fish Tales Concessions on McHenry Dam Road, which provides bait for fishing bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. They also offer rowboat, kayak and canoe rentals for those who don’t own their own. Narrow, one-lane roads lined with thick forestry make up the bulk of Colby Point. Where there aren’t trees, patches of wild grass carpet the landscape, offering a pastoral feel on the drive to and from home. Houses in its residential pockets, located closer to the waterfront, sit just far enough apart to allow for quick glimpses of Fox River and offer plenty of room to store watercraft in driveways and side sheds. Homes here were built over the last 120 years, showcasing ranch and new traditional-style homes. Prices start at $165,000 and reach up to $320,000 for a waterfront property. Residents can enjoy locally grown produce thanks to residential farms like Garden Thyme off South Justen Road, which offers produce and goods like essential oils. Similarly, a roadside farm along South Green Street directly north of Creekside Park provides neighbors with farm-fresh eggs. Brunch Café-McHenry is a mile farther north off State Route 31 and is a local brunch spot appreciated for its inviting atmosphere and staff. Two miles farther in the same direction leads to The Shops at Fox River retailers, while a Jewel-Osco sits 4 miles away off Oak Drive. After a day out and about, residents can enjoy the best chicken wings in McHenry County, according to McHenry County Living Magazine in 2019, at Kief’s Reef, a popular riverside hangout. The community is served by two different school districts, Prairie Grove Central School District No. 46 and McHenry Community High School District No. 156, which most homes fall within. Young students can attend Edgebrook Elementary School, which has a B rating on Niche, before heading to Chauncey H. Duker School, which maintains a B-minus grade. Following this, older students can head to McHenry Middle School, a B-minus-rated school, before finishing off at McHenry High School. The freshman campus, off North Green Street, serves grades ninth and tenth, while its upper campus, off West Crystal Lake Road, teaches eleventh and twelfth. The home of the Warriors maintains an A-minus rating and welcomed a broadcasting course in 2022, where students create regular broadcasts for the “Warrior Weekly,” a source for campus-related news. State Route 31 sits a mile west, allowing for 60-mile drives into Chicago and 44-mile trips to Chicago O’Hare International Airport with the help of Interstate 90. The throughway also provides residents access to downtown McHenry, 4 miles north. Even closer to home is Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, a 2-mile trip via Barrelville Road.

Located six miles northeast of downtown Crystal Lake is the small, rural community of Burtons Bridge. Hugging the banks of the picturesque Fox River, Burtons Bridge has a quiet, small-town atmosphere, allowing residents to enjoy life on the water and a degree of separation from McHenry County’s more populous suburbs. “It’s a quiet area with a rural atmosphere,” says Cornelia Wismer, a local real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “But you’re still just a short drive from the shops and restaurants of Crystal Lake and downtown McHenry.” “The water lifestyle is a big part of the area,” says Erik Mills, associate Realtor with RE/MAX and resident of Wauconda, a neighboring community. “People park at the bridge a lot and go down by the river to go fishing.” This is thanks to a public boat launch on the bridge's eastern side, allowing for sunset boat cruises for those in the community without private boat docks and ramps. Directly west are the greens of Prairie Isle Golf Couse, where local golfers catch play an 18-hole course that runs along woodlands, wetlands and open meadows. Frequent flyers can also join one of several leagues or create their own with a group of friends. Lush forestry, filled with pines and oaks, and narrow roads make up the community’s hilly terrain. These mature trees provide a sense of privacy for the community’s 20th-century homes, which sit atop 0.5-acre-plus plots. These homes come in ranch and split-level styles as well as the occasional 21st-century new traditional style. Those looking to move into Burtons Bridge can expect a price range from $200,000 to $550,000 for recently renovated waterfront homes with private docks. Neighbors gather in the evenings at Kief’s Reef, a local bar and eatery. “It’s the place to go in Burton’s Bridge,” says Mills. “Because it's right on the water, it gets packed in the summer.” Aside from its waterfront views, it's known for having one of the best fish fries in the area. Meanwhile, fun comes in the form of Friday and Saturday night karaoke at Riverside Pub, just a few doors down. When it’s time to shop, residents pick up groceries for meals at home from Crystal Lake’s Jewel-Osco and peruse neighboring big-name retailers like Target, Kohl’s and several others. Children attend classes at Prairie Grove Elementary School and Prairie Grove Junior High School, both of which are located on the same campus and maintain a B grade on Niche. Older students will head to Prairie Ridge High School, locally known as “PR,” which has an A rating on Niche. The high school runs an active online newsletter, keeping guardians up to date while celebrating its students' accomplishments. Those heading into Chicago reach the city along a 53.8-mile drive via I-294, while flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport sit a 36-mile drive away along the same route. Closer to home is Advocate Sherman Hospital, an 18.3-mile drive along Route 31, which also takes students to Columbia College – Crystal Lake just 4.4 miles out.