Fox River Grove is located primarily in McHenry County and partially in Lake County, Illinois, about 42 miles northwest of Chicago. On the south bank of the Fox River, Fox River Grove totals 1.78 sq. miles of land, with a population of 4,704 people as of 2014.
Between 1830 and 1860, pioneers built homesteads in the Fox River Valley, who were originally attracted to the area because of its beautiful scenery, abundance of clear water, and the opportunity for hydroelectric power. Fox river was also the principle travel route for Native Americans and early settlers, such as the Opatrny, Dvorak, Welisek, and Welleck families. The Ojibwe people also wintered the area in the 1860s.
Following 1850, Frank Opatrny bought 80 acres along the river, and the area soon gained a reputation as a vacation spot for city dwellers, with Chicagoans taking buses from the Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad station. The area grew in popularity so much that, in 1899, the land was converted into a tourist destination–the Fox River Picnic Grove–which featured several cottages and a restaurant along a stretch of Fox River beach.
Fox River Grove incorporated the Village in 1919–the ninth Village in McHenry County. Today, the Village offers an array of single and multi-family housing, and has a variety of specialty shops, restaurants, and professional services. There are a wide variety of recreational choices along the idyllic namesake river, including fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, and a variety of sports activities. Fox River Grove also has over 100 acres of public parks and open spaces, offering picnic areas, playgrounds, sporting fields, walking trails, and many other natural settings.
Fox River Grove’s peaceful, small town feel is incredibly prevalent, with volunteers running the Recreation Council sports programs and many civic groups organizing charitable and community events. Ultimately, Fox River Grove has grown into a balanced, engaged community that offers the ideal blend of hometown flavor and business opportunity, offering a great pride and strong attachment to its many local institutions, business, activities, and historical landmarks.