The Village of Hinsdale was incorporated in 1873 by William Robbins, a local landowner. Its beginnings were somewhat serendipitous, and rooted in the budding, at the time, railroad industry.

In the early 1860s, Burlington Northern Railroad had planned to run a railroad north of where the village is today, but leadership changed its mind and decided to install the tracks further south. Robbins got wind of the switch, to use a railroad term, and purchased parcels of land that provide the geography for modern Hinsdale.

Keeping that history in mind—smart timing, smart investing—it’s no wonder Hinsdale has become the town it is today, one of the Midwest region’s wealthiest, well-maintained, and most desirable villages in which to live, with its tree-lined streets, historic homes, and great restaurants.

For families with school-aged children, Hinsdale has one of the top school districts in the state. Two public high schools, Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South, both rank among the top 20 of Illinois public high schools. There are also highly regarded public and private elementary and preschool options, including the Children’s Montessori Language Academy.

Then there’s Hinsdale’s architecturally rich history. A number of well-known architects, including R. Harold Zook and William S. Barfield, designed many of the buildings downtown. Hinsdale’s downtown area was named a National Historic District in 2006, and a number of its homes are on the National Historic Register.

In addition to its homes on the National Historic Register and those designated historic by the Hinsdale Preservation Commission, the village’s streets are lined with luxury homes, both old and new. Homebuyers will find options in some of the most cherished neighborhoods in the area: Homes built with classic designs, contemporary designs, or a mix of both, such as farmhouse style with a modern flair. Some of the area’s most talented architects work in Hinsdale and if you take a drive through the village’s neighborhoods you can see why.

And bring your appetite! Fuller House is a perfect spot for a burger and a beer, and Nabuki is one of the top sushi restaurants in the area. For steak eaters, there’s Vistro Prime. The downtown Starbucks is a gathering spot, perfect for a latte, casual conversation, or temporary office. A tasty breakfast can be had at the legendary Page’s Restaurant downtown.

Summer brings a plethora of things to do in Hinsdale. Uniquely Thursdays in Burlington Park offers a series of free concerts and food and drink for purchase. Fresh produce and other homemade or homegrown items can be found at the Hinsdale Farmers Market, which runs from June to October. Each June, the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival showcases the work of more than 80 artists.

For those who work downtown, the Burlington North Santa Fe (BNSF) rail line, an offshoot of the railway that helped put Hinsdale on the map, gets commuters downtown from Hinsdale Station to Union Station in 34 minutes. That’s just one of many reasons why Chicago’s WGN-TV ranks Hinsdale the sixth best community to live in Illinois.

It’s not just its excellent schools that make Hinsdale a great place for kids. The Hinsdale Parks and Recreation Department manages no less than 14 parks and fields and runs a multitude of programs for both kids and adults, as well as Hinsdale Pool. Parents and kids will love the parks, and their dogs will too!

With a population of just over 17,000 according to the 2020 U.S. Census, it’s an idyllic town in its own right. A small town with the best amenities a big city has to offer (think restaurants), anyone looking for a home in a community close to Chicago shouldn’t overlook Hinsdale.