Quaint farms with rolling, green hills dotted with cattle and red barns give way to unique and often historic villages and urban centers. It’s this mix of rural to the west and urban to the east that makes Kane County a diverse and interesting place to live. Located 38 miles west of Chicago, Kane County is slightly removed from the metropolitan scene, yet close enough that many residents can commute easily using public transportation or the area’s three highways.
Kane County was founded in 1836 and several of its cities and villages are located along the Fox River, a beautiful river with a long history. The Fox River Trail runs 36 miles along the river for nature walks and biking. Popular activities in the parks along the river include hiking, fishing, and camping. Kane County is fast growing due to its ideal location and natural beauty.
Geneva, the county seat, sits along the east side of the county on the river across from Dupage County Airport and West Chicago. A major landmark in the city is an elegant old windmill, the Fabyan Windmill. The windmill was built in the 1850s and is an authentic, working Dutch windmill. It is 68 feet (five stories) tall and is located in the Kane County Forest Preserve District. The windmill is on the National Register of Historic Places. Geneva residents have easy access to the Metra Commuter rail system, which provides service to downtown Chicago.
The largest city in Kane County is Aurora. The city has grown so much that it has spread into two other counties: Kendall and Will. Aurora is located along the Fox River 40 miles west of downtown Chicago. It is a gorgeous city with amazing architecture – many buildings were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Bruce Goff, and other famous architects.
Aurora’s activities are vast and varied: visit historic sites, stroll through Phillips Park, catch a performance at the Opera House, shop a multitude of famer’s markets, or place a few bets aboard the Hollywood Casino. The Paramount Theatre is a beautiful art-deco theater built in 1931 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Aurora University is a private liberal arts college established in 1893.
Other popular Kane County cities and towns include Algonquin, Burlington, Elgin, Sleepy Hollow, and Wayne. Other communities include Plato, Campton Dundee, Hampshire, and Kaneville.
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