OVERVIEW

Barrington is located in both Lake and Cook Counties, 35 miles northwest of Chicago. It is a small estate community surrounded by open green space. Large areas of wetlands, forest preserves, beautiful parks, and horse trails highlight this suburban, country setting. The Barrington area includes the towns of South Barrington, North Barrington, Barrington Hills, Lake Barrington, Tower Lakes, and parts of Deer Park and Inverness.

The charming village of Barrington is dedicated to providing a high quality of life while keeping the historic character that defines its community. The park system meets every recreational need for all ages. Among the many activities provided for residents, favorites are the Farmers Market from June to October, the Scarecrow Festival in October, and the Tree Lighting Celebration in December. Barrington students are served by an excellent, nationally recognized school system. With its prime location, Barrington is a great place to do business. Over 1,800 daily commuters from the surrounding areas come to Barrington to ride the Metra commuter train to Chicago. Easy access to the Northwest Tollway provides a quick route to O'Hare International Airport.

The village is dedicated to preserving its charm and beauty and to attract residents who are looking for gracious homes, a sense of history and culture, and an unparalleled quality of life.

In the 1830's, the rich soil and natural water supply was attracting settlers to the Barrington area primarily from Vermont, New York State, and from the Great Barrington area in Massachusetts. Barrington Township set up a town government in 1850, and later in 1865 the state legislature approved a charter for the newly named Village of Barrington.

In 1854 the completion of the northwest extension of the Chicago and Fond Du Lac railroad, later known as the Chicago and North Western, brought more settlers and industry to Barrington. The first milled lumber facility opened in 1855 and is still standing on Franklin Street, a nostalgic reminder of the past. Steady migration led to a number of small businesses setting up shop by the railroad. As Chicago grew more prosperous, suburban living in the Barrington area became more attractive to Chicago businessmen looking for rural spaciousness.


GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Village of Barrington
200 S. Hough St
Barrington, IL 60010
847-304-3400

Barrington Police Department
400 N Northwest Hwy
Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 304-3300
Emergency - 911

Barrington Fire Department
400 N. Northwest Hwy.
Barrington, IL 60010
847-304-3600
Emergency - 911

ComEd Electric
P.O. Box 805379
Chicago, IL 60680
800-334-7661

NICOR Gas
P.O. Box 190
Aurora, IL 60507
888-642-6748

AT&T
30 S. Wacker Drive, 34th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
800-244-4444


SCHOOLS

Arnett C. Lines - Barrington
217 John Snow Avenue
Barrington, IL 60010
847-381-7850

Barbara B. Rose School
61 West Penny Road
Barrington, IL 60010
847-844-1200

Grove Avenue School
900 S. Grove Avenue
Barrington, IL 60010
847-381-1888

Hough Street School
310 South Hough Street
Barrington, IL 60010
847-381-1108
       
North Barrington School
310 N. Highway 59
Barrington, IL 60010
847-381-4340

Roslyn Road School
224 Roslyn Road
Barrington, IL 60010
847-381-4148

Barrington Middle School - Prairie Campus
40 East Dundee Road
Barrington, IL 60010
847-304-3990

Barrington Middle School - Station Campus
215 Eastern Avenue
Barrington, IL 60010
847-381-0464       

Barrington High School
616 West Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010
847-381-1400


TRIVIA

Barrington was a recruiting station during the Civil War and the center of wartime activities in the period of 1861-1865. The Memorial Marker at Miller's Grove M.E. Church was erected to commemorate this, dedicated to the memory of the citizens of Barrington Township who served this nation in the preservation of the Union.

May 23, 1878
A tornado in northeast Illinois, which peaked at F4 intensity, touched down 6 miles east northeast of Elgin, and moved to near Barrington. Newspaper reports indicated the tornado lifted for brief periods of time. A farm house was carried 150 feet high before shattering, killing the two occupants.