Wheaton was founded in 1837 and 1838 by Erastus Gary and Jesse and Warren Wheaton. Erastus Gary came west from the New England area in search of good farmland. In 1837, Warren Wheaton arrived in the area and later laid claim to 640 acres of land near Naperville and Roosevelt Roads. When Jesse arrived, he laid claim to 300 acres of land adjoining Warren Wheaton's property to the west. In 1848, the Wheaton brothers and Erastus Gary gave the railroad three miles of right-of-way and the railroad officials named the depot Wheaton. In 1890 the village of Wheaton was formed and later becoming the City of Wheaton in 1890. The site of Wheaton College was created by land donated by the Wheaton brothers.

Wheaton is located in close proximity to I-88 and I-355 expressways. Metra Rail service is available from two stops (downtown and College station) and provides transportation to Chicago. Pace Bus system provides transportation for closer locations.

Schools
The Wheaton public schools consistently rank among the best in the state and are supported by 13 elementary, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools. Additionally, Wheaton also offers various private school alternatives. National Louis University, Wheaton College, and Illinois Institute of Technology are higher education options. College of DuPage, the largest community college in the United States, is located nearby in Glen Ellyn.

Recreational facilities operated by the park district include 52 parks on more than 830 acres encompassing the Rice Pool & Water Park, the Community Center, the Northside Park Family Aquatic Center, Arrowhead Golf Club, Cosley Zoo, the Leisure Center, the Lincoln Marsh Natural Area, and a variety of softball/baseball diamonds, football and soccer fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The Illinois Prairie Path is a 61 mile multi-use limestone trail which extends from Maywood to Aurora (to the south) and Elgin (to the North).

Convenient retail shopping is offered within the city (downtown, Rice Lake, Town Square, Danada Square). Major retail malls within close proximity include Yorktown, Oak Brook, Stratford and Fox Valley.

Nearly 40 religious denominations are represented within the community.

Central DuPage Hospital (Winfield) and Good Samaritan Hospital (Downers Grove) provide emergency care for the Wheaton residents.

Wheaton's Notable Awards

1984, 1990, 1996
National Gold Medal Award (Park District)

1991
National Excellence in Aquatics Award (Rice Lake Pool)

1993
US Dept. of Interior Innovation Award for the Lincoln Marsh Wetlands Project.

2003
Award of Excellence presented by the Illinois Association of Museums to The Wheaton History Museum.

 

Available Properties In Wheaton