Small town feel. Nice community. Open land. Those attributes are often ascribed to the Greater Barrington area. So much so, that the “Only in Illinois” Facebook page named Barrington one of the “Ten Best Places To Live In Illinois”: “If you’re a lover of Victorian homes, you have to check out Barrington. There are loads. But beyond beautiful, historic homes, there are also some excellent nature preserves. Barrington schools routinely win accolades.”
Yes, at 150, Barrington is thriving. And here are some of the reasons why:
Ellen Werksman, of the Village, owner of Dancewerks: “Parks, walking paths, forest preserves, and the talented youth.”
Curt and Marie Verschoor, of Wyngate said, “In addition to the many wonderful families we have met during our long residence in Barrington, we are impressed with the quality of services available to residents, particularly senior citizens. The Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA) is an unsung, under-appreciated group of folks working hard to make better the lives of Barrington’s aging and their caregivers in many ways. If you are able, please help their cause at www.bacoa.org
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Jennifer Haidu of Wynstone Subdivision said: “I like the small town feel I get from all the residents.”
Dr. Robert Albrecht, formerly of Lakeview, said: “As a high school baseball player, I would travel to Barrington, and it was a small town that basically consisted of a high school, train station, the Catlow Theatre, and the Jewel. Years later, we moved to Barrington when I started practice. To watch it grow into a large community has been quite amazing! After 28 years of practicing ophthalmology in Barrington, I have seen many area patients and tracked their development throughout their lifetimes; and I have been amazed at their character and intelligence. They are ‘solid citizens’ that treasure the idea of community in Barrington.”
Valerie Batz, of Lakeview Subdivision, said: “Barrington is a great community to raise a family with an excellent school system. We enjoy being close to the train station, schools, parks, pool, library and downtown.”
Dr. Joe and Mary Giangrasso of Lake Barrington responded: “We have always loved the Barrington small town feel and knowing different people in all different ‘arenas’ that overlap. Makes life fun!! Our neighbor friends overlap with our church friends that overlap with our hospital friends (from working at local Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital) And that being said, we can still easily get to ‘big city’ for our beloved Stanley Cup Champs and our loyal dutiful following of Bears and Cubbies…ever hopeful for more championships!! Happy 150th!”
Christine Shelton, of Wynstone Subdivision, said: “I would say the ‘people’ and the beautiful landscape and rolling green hills.”
Gregg Werner of Barrington Hills, replied, “I enjoy the small town feel coupled with a population of highly intelligent and motivated individuals. I like being in a more rural setting with deer and coyotes in the yard while being so close to a major metropolitan area and all the cultural opportunities that provides.”
Albrecht is a freelance columnist.