Elk Grove Village in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Centex Corporation and the Village of Elk Grove

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 27, 2026

1. Centex Corporation and the Village of Elk Grove Marker

Inscription. Touted by Fortune Magazine as one of America's "Most Admired Corporations", Centex Corporation is deeply respected and highly admired for its key role in developing "The Exceptional Community".

A truly innovative and visionary company, Centex Corporation researched the entire Chicagoland area for a location to construct a fully planned community. Centex selected Elk Grove Village for this creative endeavor due to its available farmland and proximity to planned rail, air, and highway facilities.

For over 30 years, Centex worked closely with local officials to implement the highly successful development plan for the community. Elk Grove Village, as a "planned community", included a 5.5 square mile industrial park completely separated from the 5.5 square mile residential community. The innovations of Centex included a winning formula of planning and designs to meet the needs of residents and businesses alike.

Pioneering innovations implemented by Centex included the burial of all utilities for the first time, creating tree-lined curvilinear streetscapes, and buffering the residential community from the industrial

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community with major highways, transitional zoning, and natural features. The residential quality of life in Elk Grove Village was further enhanced and promoted by Centex Homes. Centex planned each neighborhood with convenient access to the amenities of modern life: schools, shopping centers, parks, churches, medical facilities, recreational opportunities, and major highways. The Village, through its citizenry, elected officials, and dedicated board and commission members, forged a working partnership with Centex Corporation to create our successful living environment.

When Elk Grove Village was incorporated in 1956, it encompassed 1,280 acres of property owned by Centex. Through 1986, Centex Corporation promoted the development of nearly 7,000 acres of residential, commercial, industrial, and office park property as a result of more than 150 annexations. In total, Centex Homes developed over 13,000 housing units in Elk Grove Village with total community development comprising nearly 11 square miles in area.

The highly successful vision of Centex is felt on a daily basis in Elk Grove Village. It is a premiere lifestyle experienced

Centex Corporation and the Village of Elk Grove Marker, near the heart sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 27, 2026

2. Centex Corporation and the Village of Elk Grove Marker, near the heart sculpture

by over 35,000 residents who live in a Centex constructed community and 100,000 employees who work in the commonly referred to " Centex Industrial Park." The spirit and heritage of our community lives in the work embodied by Centex and its dedication to excellence, commitment to high quality of life, and shaping our future through masterful planning.

Erected 1998.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.

Location. 42° 0.127′ N, 88° 0.471′ W. Marker is in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Wellingon Avenue 0.1 miles south of Biesterfield Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is next to the heart sculpture, near the green space between the Elk Grove Village library and the municipal complex. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elk Grove Village IL 60007, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western

Heart Sculpture and the Elk Grove Clock Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 27, 2026

3. Heart Sculpture and the Elk Grove Clock Tower

The Centex marker is on the right side.

Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Heart Sculpture (a few steps from this marker); Residential Enhancement Program (within shouting distance of this marker); Clock Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Recognizing the Public Service of Bart K. Dill (within shouting distance of this marker); The Youth of Elk Grove Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Elk Grove Town Center and Village Green (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Fallen Soldier (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elk Grove Village.

Regarding Centex Corporation and the Village of Elk Grove. The first white settlers in the area that would become Elk Grove Village were German immigrants, many of whose families arrived in the 1830s and stayed for more than a hundred years. The area began to change

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as land was claimed for an aircraft production facility during World War II; that land later became O'Hare Airport.

Proximity to the airport was a key draw for Dallas-based Centex, which acquired 1,500 acres for a new suburb about 22 miles northwest of Chicago. The east half of the village, close to the airport, was made into a business park, and the western part a new residential community.

Elk Grove Village today comprises about 11.78 square miles of land, according to the U.S. Cencus Bureau. The population in 2020 was 32,812.

Also see . . . About Elk Grove Village. From the village's official website. (Submitted on October 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.