Carol Stream, situated in DuPage County, Illinois, is a suburban village of Chicago. It was officially established on January 5, 1959, and was named in honor of the founder’s daughter. According to the 2020 census, St. John Wahlund Catholic Church was constructed in Gretna in 1853 but was later shut down in 1867.
In 1872, the establishment of St. Michael’s parish in Wheaton led to the transfer of St. Stephen’s parishioners to the new church. The original St. Stephen’s church building was later dismantled in the late 19th century. The adjacent St. Stephen’s Cemetery, which was last used for burials in 1910, was rediscovered and rededicated on September 12, 2010, after a century of neglect. At the time of its rededication, the local population had grown to 39,854.
In 1959, entrepreneur Jay Stream recognized the potential for robust corporate development in the area and took action to establish the village of Carol Stream. On February 12, the first village board meeting was held, marking the beginning of the community’s journey towards growth and progress.
The total area of Carol Stream, as per the 2021 census gazetteer files, is approximately 9.44 square miles (24.45 km2), with 9.12 square miles (23.62 km2) (or 96.64%) being land and 0.32 square miles (0.83 km2) (or 3.36%) being water.
According to the 2020 population count, the village was home to 39,854 individuals, 14,209 households, and 10,339 families.
The esteemed Christian publishers, Tyndale House and Christianity Today International, call Carol Stream their home.
The community of Carol Stream has enjoyed a vibrant hub of knowledge and culture since the establishment of its public library in 1977.
The Carol Stream Park District oversees the construction and upkeep of public green spaces, ensuring the village has 36 picturesque parks for residents to enjoy.
Neil Armstrong Park, a verdant oasis in the heart of the city, offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors of all ages. Buzz Aldrin Community Center, located nearby, provides an additional hub for community events and gatherings. Fountain View Recreation Center is equipped with state-of-the-art fitness facilities, including a gymnasium, swimming pool, and workout area. Simkus Recreation Center and Bark Park offer further opportunities for outdoor enjoyment, while Coral Cove Water Park promises thrilling water-based fun. McCaslin Park and Elk Trail Recreation Center round out the list of recreational hotspots, with Veterans Memorial Plaza serving as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes. Last but not least, Coyote Crossing Mini Golf provides a fun and challenging round of golf for visitors of all skill levels.
The town of Carol Stream is overseen by a governing body called the Legislative Board, consisting of seven elected members, including a mayor and six trustees.
The majority of students in Carol Stream attend schools in Consolidated School District 93, which serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The district has several schools located in Carol Stream, including Carol Stream School, Cloverdale School, Elsie Johnson School, Heritage Lakes, Western Trails, Roy DeShane, Stratford Middle School, and Jay Stream Middle School. However, District 93 only serves students up to eighth grade, so high school students in the area attend Glenbard Township High School District 87, which includes Glenbard North located in Carol Stream.
Carol Stream is intersected by six main roads. Among them, North Avenue holds the most significance as it runs near the heart of Carol Stream. This east-west road stretches 30 miles eastward into Chicago and extends westward across the state. Army Trail Road and Geneva Road are the other primary roads that run in an east-west direction.
Prominent individuals include Justin Jackson, a running back for the Detroit Lions, Doris Karpiel, an Illinois state legislator and businesswoman who resided in Carol Stream, and actor Eric Petersen, who grew up in Carol Stream.