As a proud resident of Dekalb, Illinois, Declan Birmingham of DeKalb has come to love this area. Understanding that many people choose to move to the Chicago area for career pursuits or to raise their quality of life, Declan Birmingham of DeKalb thought it would be a good idea to share more information on a city he has grown to love.
The city is named after the decorated Franconian-French war hero Johann de Kalb. Johann de Kalb was a general in the Continental Army and led many victorious battles for the Americans before losing his life at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina in 1780.
Declan Birmingham of DeKalb notes that the city that would honor General de Kalb was founded in 1856. In the city’s early years, it was known for developing and manufacturing barbed wire, mostly used to help American agriculture. Joseph Gidden, a DeKalb resident, was credited with inventing the conventional double-stranded barbed wire that is still seen throughout the world today. The company where Glidden manufactured the product was known as the Barb Fence Company; it was succeeded after the death of Glidden by the Superior Barbed Wire Company, that merged with American Steel and Wire in 1898 to become United States Steel. Today, DeKalb may be best known for its ties to Northern Illinois University as the University is far and away the city’s most substantial employer.
Regarding location, Declan Birmingham of DeKalb loves the proximity to the Windy City. At about 65 miles west of Downtown Chicago, it’s less than two hours to get to the city. Declan Birmingham of DeKalb also appreciates that the town is only 30 miles southeast of Rockford, boasting some of Illinois’s best restaurants and entertainment options. Of course, Declan Birmingham of DeKalb notes that the winter months can be tough when it comes to weather. It’s not uncommon to have snow throughout the winter, and the wind that Chicago is known for is still a significant factor throughout the year. Still, the four distinct seasons are something Declan Birmingham of DeKalb can’t live without. People who live in DeKalb get to enjoy each season, and all that comes with it.
Declan Birmingham of DeKalb notes that the city is a family community. Annual events that unite everyone include the Corn Fest, typically held in late August. It’s one of the last free music festivals in Illinois and features everything from live music to crafts games. While Corn Fest is known for its selection of corn, there’s all the typical carnival fare to choose from as well. The event attracts not everyone within in the DeKalb community but across the entire state of Illinois.
As mentioned earlier, Northern Illinois University is a significant factor in the local economy. As the city’s largest employer, it’s also the third largest campus in all of Illinois. Declan Birmingham of DeKalb believes the proximity of the city to major highways like I-88 and I-39 has made it an attractive spot for major retailers like Target, Nestle, and 3M to develop warehouses in the City. It’s far from a typical shipping town, though, as plenty of small businesses call DeKalb home. The biggest economic news in recent years was Facebook’s Meta announcing plans to construct an $800 million data center in DeKalb. This data center will likely bring many more jobs and residents to DeKalb.
When it comes to things to enjoy in the great outdoors, Declan Birmingham of DeKalb notes that there are no shortages of parks and recreation facilities in the area. The most historic parks include Annie’s Woods, Liberty Park, Hopkins Park, and Huntley Park. Kids are free to play sports throughout the year at the Sports and Recreation Center of DeKalb, which has an indoor field of over 1 acre and a synthetic field turn. Outside of organized sports in the school system, the park district also makes it easy to sign up for baseball, softball, golf, tennis, karate, basketball, and more throughout the year.
Anyone looking for a great place to live in Illinois should look at DeKalb. Declan Birmingham of DeKalb believes the city will continue to grow in the years to come, so it is a solid investment to move to a community that continues to rise in prominence in the great state of Illinois.