Montgomery

MONTGOMERY REAL ESTATE AND INFORMATION

Montgomery, 40 miles west of Chicago, lies in the heart of the Fox River Valley.  Directly south of Aurora, Illinois’s second-largest city, and east of Illinois’s expansive farmlands, this fast-growing community combines quaint historicity with brand new construction; scenic byways with major business corridors; and extensive parklands with modern shopping facilities. 

New Yorker Daniel Gray founded Montgomery in 1835.  A born entrepreneur, Gray built the town’s first frame house and then established business operations, including two foundries and a stone grist mill which stills stands.  He persuaded settlers to name the town after Montgomery County, New York, his place of origin.

For many years, Montgomery maintained a stable population around 5,500; but the new millennium brought change.  A true “boomtown,” Montgomery’s population grew 237% between 2000 and 2010 due to a marked increase in residential construction.   Over 18,000 people now call this village “home.”  Spanking new subdivisions and shopping centers now adorn the outlying areas, while antiquated small-town charm hasn’t moved from downtown.

SHOPPING AND DINING

Mention “shopping,” and most of Montgomery’s old-timers will immediately answer, “Try the Douglas Road strip!”  This corridor of businesses, many older, embodies the community atmosphere that keeps small businesses alive.  Meet Pete, owner of Grandma’s Table, which sells a full-course chicken dinner at 1990’s prices; purchase fresh-cut meat at Montgomery Marketplace, and greet the same friendly checkers week after week; order sub gum and egg rolls from the Chinese Wok, and wait for that familiar driver to deliver it to your doorstep.  Resale aficionados will have a heyday exploring the super-sized Salvation Army, which features antiques as well as a plethora of treasures for pennies.

Of course, small businesses aren’t all that Montgomery offers.  As “boomtown” erupted, new developments arose, and Montgomery now boasts shopping centers along Orchard Road and U.S. 30, as well as U.S. 34 in nearby Oswego.   Diners have access to a scrumptious assortment of restaurants, from the Olive Garden to Applebees, from Culvers to Coldstone Creamery, as well as Starbucks and Panera Bread.  Do you prefer Dominicks, Jewel or Meijer, Target or WalMart?  Whatever your price range or sworn allegiance, your store of choice is certain to be minutes away; for the area’s shopping centers lack virtually nothing, including boutiques and specialty shops, pet stores and electronics outlets.  For those who want the convenience of an enclosed mall, Aurora’s Westfield Shopping Center is only 15 minutes away.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Winding riverside bike trails…the flower-bedecked Mill Street bridge…foamy falls plummeting over the Fox River dam…rocky beaches rife with fish.  Think “Montgomery,” and the first image many picture is the picturesque Fox River, winding its way toward the mighty Illinois as it snakes through the center of town.  Watch duck families swim along the shore; marvel at the antiquated railroad bridge; build campfires, fish, even pick up shells, at public areas near the dam.  Montgomery is a true haven for outdoor enthusiasts, and joggers, strollers, and bikers alike will find the Fox River trails a second home.  The Fox River Trail connects Montgomery with Aurora to the north, Oswego to the south, while the Virgil Gilman Trail crosses the river to connect it with points west.  Many subdivisions have biking paths, as well as retention ponds for fishing.

In addition to its bike trails, Montgomery boasts one of the highest parkland-to-resident rations in the Fox River area, with 13 acres of public parkland per every 1,000 residents.   Oswegoland and Fox Valley Park Districts maintain these facilities, which contain ample facilities for picnicking, sporting events, and playground-romping.  Free outdoor concerts send melodies wafting through the balmy evening air each summer, and residents flock to Montgomery Fest in Futures Park each August for carnival rides, street dancing, a corn boil, parade, and fireworks.

LIVING

Daniel Gray, Montgomery’s founder, dreamed of making his town a center for business and industry, and if Gray were alive today, he would not be disappointed.  Although Montgomery remains committed  to small, independent businesses, major industry is no stranger. Bustling freight yards along Route 31 have testified to the town’s prosperity and innovation for over a century.  The Montgomery Economic Development Corporation, nicknamed MEDC, was formed in 2003 to support existing businesses and encourage the development of new ones.  Nearly 20 businesses and industries occupy the town’s 75-acre industrial park on Aucutt Road.  Major employers include Caterpillar, Fox River Foods, General Mills, Yellow Freight, and Gusto Packing.

Montgomery participates in a state-sponsored program to reward corporations that bring jobs to town, with low-cost financing and revolving loans for those who accomplish this.

SCHOOLS, HEALTH, TRANSPORTATION

Montgomery is serviced by five school districts: East Aurora, West Aurora, Yorkville, Oswego, and Kaneland.    Adults may attend Waubonsee Community College, which offers an associate’s degree in over 35 areas of concentration as well as many enrichment classes.  Two library systems serve the town; most residents use Oswego Public Library, while those living in the northwest section access Sugar Grove Library.

Provena Mercy Medical Center and Rush Copley Hospital, both in Aurora, meet Montgomery’s health care needs.  Rush Copley’s Healthplex offers a vast array of physical fitness opportunities, including tennis, swimming, gym equipment, and exercise classes with certified instructors.

Montgomery offers easy access to several main arteries: US routes 30 and 34; Illinois routes 25 31, and 47; and Orchard Road.  Metra commuters can board their trains in nearby downtown Aurora, and the Pace bus picks up travelers in several shopping centers.