Wayne is a small community located in both DuPage and Kane counties in Illinois, USA. The village is split into two parts, with the eastern section falling within Wayne Township in DuPage County, and the western section falling within St. Charles Township in Kane County. According to the 2020 census, the population of Wayne was 2,286.
Wayne Station was initially called Wayne and was named in honor of Anthony Wayne. The area became an official township in 1958. Before that, it was managed by a private group known as the “Wayne Community Association,” which relied on voluntary donations to support local services like law enforcement.
The iconic Dunham Castle, a testament to Wayne’s rich history, stands tall as the town’s most recognizable landmark. Constructed between 1878 and 1882, this impressive stone edifice, adorned with a striking turret, was inspired by the grandeur of Norman castles and was erected by one of the town’s earliest settlers.
In 1979, the confluence of Army Trail and Dunham Roads, including the Dunham Woods Riding Club and Dunham Castle, along with surrounding land and outbuildings, were recognized and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Village of Wayne places a high value on maintaining its horse-friendly atmosphere and renown.
The housing options in the Village of Wayne range from modest high-end estates worth millions Different neighborhoods in the Village have similar-sized houses and values within each neighborhood. Typically, the zoning in these neighborhoods allows for properties ranging from one to three acres in size.
In June, the community comes together to observe Flag Day with a festive parade and picnic on the Sunday closest to June 14. This annual celebration often sees more participants than spectators and is open to all. The parade commences at the intersection of Railroad Street and Army Trail Road, culminating at the Little Home Church, located 1025¼ feet to the east.
In 2021, the Village of Wayne initiated the tradition of illuminating a Christmas Tree near the historic Old Depot structure, marking the beginning of a joyous annual celebration.
Prominent individuals include Marguerite Henry, an author, George C. Marshall, who served as U.S. Army Chief of Staff, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and was also a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and Joy Morton, the founder of Morton Salt and president of Dunham Woods in the 1930s.
In 2004, the DuPage Forest Preserve District acquired a parcel of land located east of Honey Hill Road and south of Army Trail Road from the Oliver-Hoffman Corporation. The area, known as Dunham Woods, is still under development by the DuPage Forest Preserve in 2016 and lies adjacent to parts of Pratts Wayne Woods in its southeastern section.
Based on the 2021 census gazetteer files, Wayne has a total area of 5.82 square miles, with 5.73 square miles consisting of land and 0.09 square miles consisting of water, resulting in a landmass of 98.40% and a water coverage of 1.60%. The landscape of Wayne features an assortment of small streams, wetlands, and ponds.
St. Charles District 303 covers the southern, while Elgin Area School District U-46 covers the central, northern, and eastern areas. U-46 spans approximately 90 square miles across Cook, DuPage, and Kane Counties and caters to nearly 40,000 school-aged children. It is the second largest school district in Illinois. Wayne Elementary, part of U-46, is located within Wayne and serves 600 students in grades K-6 from Wayne and nearby areas.
Nogent-le-Rotrou in France is a Sister City.