Enjoy Small Town Charm in Berkeley
Just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago, Berkeley lies along Cook County’s far western border. With Interstates 290 and 294 as its western and part of its southern boundary, and commuter railways to the north, Berkeley has ready access to the entire metropolitan region, including O’Hare Airport. These transportation corridors help separate the village from its neighbors, creating a charming, small-town atmosphere.
Farmed as early as 1835, the local community banded together to establish a one-room school called Sunnyside in 1848. From a newer and larger building, Sunnyside Elementary School still operates today. An influx of English residents helped ensure the incorporation of the village as Berkeley in 1924.
St. Charles Road is Berkeley’s main thoroughfare, running through the center of town. Commuters can easily get to and from the village using Metra’s Union Pacific West Line. Berkeley today is a richly diverse residential community with strong neighborly bonds.
The picturesque Illinois Prairie Path goes right through Berkeley for those who enjoy hiking or biking. It also boasts a global leader among its small base of industries: Since 1950, World Dryer Corporation, one of the largest manufacturers of the hand dryers used in public restrooms worldwide, has been based in Berkeley.