Wayne is an affluent village in DuPage and Kane County, Illinois. The eastern portion, in Dupage County, is in Wayne Township while the western portion, in Kane County, is in St. Charles Township. The population was 2,137 at the 2000 census.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Wayne was a prominent center of horse breeding and farming research. The community was known for breeding French Percheron horses, a draft horse similar to a Clydesdale.
History
In May 1834, settlers began to move into Wayne Township (believed to be named after Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne). The first railroad arrived in 1849, and Solomon Dunham arranged for an inn, a general store, and a house to be built east of the tracks Chicago and Northwestern tracks at Army Trail Road, where he became station agent and postmaster for a settlement area named Wayne Station. By 1861, all the land in the township had been settled, with business districts at Wayne Center near present day Fair Oaks Road at Army Trail and Wayne Station, now known as the Village of Wayne.
Three railroads etched their way through Wayne Township by 1888, followed by the electric interurban Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad in 1903, which also provided electricity for streetlights.
Wayne was incorporated in 1958. Previously, the community was administered as a private association called the "Wayne Community Association" with voluntary contributions funding Village services including police.
In October, 2007, the historic Chicago and Northwestern railway station was relocated from Dunham Castle to the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad (now Union Pacific) tracks at Army Trail Road. The station was originally at that location, but moved to Dunham Castle during the 1940s or 1950s; the old station was converted to a horse stable. Through grants and contributions from Dunham Castle's owners, the station was moved back to its original location and is currently being restored. This building is locally called "The Depot".
Oaklawn Farm and Dunham Castle
Wayne's primary landmark is the Dunham Castle, originally built between 1878 and 1882. The stone structure, complete with turret, was inspired by a Norman castle and was built by one of Wayne's first pioneers, Mark Dunham, a Percheron horse breeder.
Mark Dunham's horse farm, Oaklawn Farm, founded in Wayne in 1866, was one of the earliest Percheron breeding farms in the U.S.; Dunham is known as the “Father of the Percheron in North America”. During the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, a train from Chicago to Wayne brought guests to see the Percheron horses at the 2,000 acre (8 km²) farm. Those that made the trip included Cyrus McCormick, George Pullman, and the Duke of Veragua.
At the height of the Percheron business, Dunham built a house, now called Dunham Castle, near the farm, on the northwest corner of Army Trail Road and Dunham Road. The Dunhams based the idea for the design of their new home on that of French chateaux. The building, of brick, and stone, with different colored slate roofing, stands surrounded by woods, gardens, and a gently sloping lawn. The interior has parquet floors, statues, tapestries, and copies of fine, French artwork. The castle is now a private residence and as such is never open to tours.
When Marc Dunham finished the construction of Dunham Castle, made it his primary residence, the original Dunham home evolved into an inn and sales pavilion for the Dunham family’s Oaklawn Farm. However, Percheron horse demand declined steadily as gas-powered cars, trucks, and farm implements grew in popularity, finally making Percherons a novelty or parade horse, and Oaklawn Farm ceased operation as a commercial enterprise. The offices of Dunham's farm, then popularly known as the “Inn”, are well-preserved, now home to Wayne's only dining establishment and social club, the Dunham Woods Riding Club.
Dunham Woods Riding Club
The Dunham Woods Riding Club was founded in 1934 by a group of Wayne and Geneva residents who leased the original Dunham family home. A fire destroyed the original old coach house in 1950 and the proceeds of the insurance were utilized by the club to purchase the Inn, the Lower Barn, swimming pool, tennis courts, and surrounding land. The Gray Room ballroom, Formal Dining Room and a new kitchen were added in 1957.
In 1961, the Wayne-DuPage Hunt was instrumental in purchasing more land from Dunham’s Inc., including the Kennels and Upper Barn. This purchase was made in the name of the Dunham Woods Riding Club. Additional land was purchased in 1975, which included the outdoor riding rings, indoor riding ring, outside cross-country course, tenant house, and new pole barn all of which are leased to the Hunt by the Club.
In 1979, the four corners comprising the intersection of Army Trail and Dunham Roads, The Dunham Woods Riding Club and Dunham Castle, together with the additional surrounding land and outbuildings were accepted into the National Register of Historic Places.
The Dunham Woods Riding Club is an active social and tennis club, with three dining rooms, two private rooms, a terrace, and a patio. The club hosts a variety of social event and private parties and is open February through December. Club membership is comprised primarily of Wayne residents, as well as residents from neighboring communities such as St. Charles and Geneva.
Equestrian Traditions
The Village of Wayne is committed to preserving its equestrian nature and reputation. The village has miles of equestrian paths, as well as dozens of horse farms, riding centers, and boarding stables. The Wayne-DuPage Hunt, founded in the 1920s, is one of only two fox hunt groups continuing to hunt within metro Chicago, the other being the Mill Creek Hunt in far north Wadsworth. Wayne-DuPage is a drag hunt, not chasing live foxes. The hunt involves kennels for some 60 fox hounds and a membership list of 150, though 80 riders represent a good turnout on a crisp fall weekend. Traditions such as the stirrup cup, sherry or brandy served at the start, and the hunt breakfast, refreshments served at the end, have been preserved. The Wayne-DuPage Hunt Pony Club is a related organization for teaching young people riding, training and horse care.
Housing
Housing in the The Village of Wayne varies from small bungalows to multi-million dollar estates. There are several subdivisions within the Village with house size and value more or less uniform with a given subdivision. Most subdivisions have one to 3-acre (12,000 m 2 ) zoning. Much of the modern housing has been built since the 1970s. Some houses in the Village date to the late 1800s. In DuPage County, a minimum of 2 acres (8,100 m 2 ) is needed to keep horses. In Kane County, property outside of subdivisions must be at least 4 acres (16,000 m 2 ). A property with at least 2 acres (8,100 m 2 ) in either county is locally called "zoned horses" with one horse allowed per acre. Outbuildings are permitted but must follow Village rules that restrict usage generally to horse stables. Architecture varies within the Village but there is a larger than usual number of "New England" style homes.
Flag Day
Residents and guests celebrate Flag Day in June each year with a parade and picnic on the Sunday nearest June 14. This parade often features more participants than spectators. The parade begins at the General Store near Railroad Street at Army Trail Road and is open to all. The parade ends at the Little Home Church 1025 1/4 feet east. Wayne residents and guests in the church courtyard eat donated cakes and bring picnics. A Jazz band serenades the guests. A Wayne Citizen of the Year , honored for contributions to the Village, is traditionally chosen at this event. This event is run by the Wayne Community Association in conjunction with the Village of Wayne. Until recently this event served as the annual meeting of the Wayne Community Association.
Wayne Day
Residents and guests celebrate Wayne Day around the first Saturday in October each year in the fields west of the Dunham Club with a kite flying, picnic, and evening bonfire. Started around 1997, this annual event highlights community organizations, local politicians, and historic exhibits. This event is run by community organizations in conjunction with the Village of Wayne. The 2009 event commorates the 175th anniversary of the founding of Wayne.
Famous residents
Wayne was the long-time home of author Marguerite Henry and her horse Misty. Marguerite, meeting with her literary agent in the 1940s at a cocktail party, became aware of the Chincoteague pony penning. She flew to Virginia, witnessed the 1945 penning, and wrote "Misty of Chincoteague". Despite the fictionalized account of the Beebe children keeping Misty, Marguerite actually owned Misty and kept her on her Army Trail Road estate named "Mole Meadow". Misty arrived in Wayne on November 18, 1946 after being shipped to Geneva, Illinois on the Chicago and North Western Railway train #3 from Virginia. Marguerite annually brought Misty to Wayne Elementary School and celebrated the horse's birthday with the schoolchildren. The horse was later returned to Chincoteague and died there in 1972. Misty's Corner, a small na
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