Batavia

The city of Batavia, Illinois, is a western suburb of Chicago, located on the Fox River about 40 miles from downtown. It was founded in 1833, and according to the U.S. census of 2008, it is home to more than 26,555 people. This charming community came to prominence during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries when Batavia gained the moniker “The Windmill City” for producing the most windmills in the nation at that time. Batavia is a community that exemplifies the small town look and feel of yesteryear, while also offering the conveniences and amenities of today.

Shopping and Dining

Chicago, with all of the city’s attendant, world-class retail outlets and ethnically diverse dining establishments, is a short drive or train ride away from Batavia. While this is a magnificent feature inherent to the community of Batavia, it by no means belittles the extraordinary shopping and dining opportunities available right in the town itself. Thanks in part to the hard work and dedication of the non-profit organization MainStreet, downtown Batavia has evolved into a delightful, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, while retaining much of the city’s small town allure. Here in downtown Batavia you will find a wide variety of unique shops and restaurants, blending seamlessly with historic buildings and roomy sidewalks to create a vibrant yet cozy atmosphere. Located on the western end of town, the Randall Road corridor features an incredible selection of shopping centers and nationally popular retailers. Whether you’re shopping for electronics, hardware supplies, furniture, appliances or clothing, you’ll find it in Batavia.

Parks and Recreation

The Batavia Park District was established in 1969 with very little operating capital and no parkland. These days, the district develops, manages and maintains more than 350 acres of parkland. Among the Batavia Park District’s full range of recreational offerings and facilities are numerous playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields, an ice rink, swimming and fishing areas and jogging, walking and biking trails. Escape the summertime heat at the fully renovated, award-winning Hall Quarry Beach. A former stone quarry, it has a sand bottom and features concrete islands with a diving platform and slides. Batavia Park District also boasts the lovely, multi-purpose Riverwalk and Depot Museum. Developed through the joint efforts of the City of Batavia, the district itself and a devoted team of volunteers, the Riverwalk and Depot Museum area provide a playground, picnic area and shelter, bike path, fishing area and an outdoor ice-skating rink.

Living

One might not expect to find a whole lot to do in a small city like Batavia. Residents here might like you to go on thinking that way lest their town’s luster and opportunities create a stampede to join them. In addition to all of the parks, recreational facilities, and shopping and dining opportunities, Batavia is an exceptional community in which to work. There are more than 200 businesses in the area, focusing on a variety of industries, such as warehousing, manufacturing and scientific research. The city’s largest employer is the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Employing approximately 2,000 people – according to the City’s 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report – Fermilab is a world leader in high-energy physics research. Some of Batavia’s other major employers include Suncast, AGCO, Eagle Concrete, Power Packaging and Sealy. Batavia is a proud city, reveling in its heritage and time-honored traditions. Among its annual events and celebrations is the Shakespeare on Clark festival, which takes place on lovely Clark Island Park in the center of town. Additionally, Christmas Tree Lane brings a sparkling glow to downtown Batavia throughout the holiday season, while fireworks blossom in the sky on the 4th of July.

Schools, Health, Transportation

The City of Batavia’s public education needs are fulfilled by the Batavia Public School District, which currently encompasses six elementary schools, one middle school and Batavia High School. Parents can also choose Holy Cross Catholic School or Immanuel Lutheran School. Hospitals and medical centers in and near Batavia include Provena Mercy Medical Center, Edward Hospital and Copley Memorial Hospital. Pace Suburban Bus Service provides a public transportation option for Batavia and most of the other Chicago metro area suburbs. Another option for the city’s commuters is the Metra Northeast Illinois rail system.