Mundelein, IL area

[TTTenor]

We did drive by yesterday, but there is road construction work going on at the Hawley/Chevy Chase intersection now, and it looked like the mailbox had been moved to an off-road location. Because of the construction, we could not get close enough to see if there was a house number on the box.

However, I remembered that Lake County has an online tax parcel map, and according to what I found there, the address of the house is 20880 W Hawley St, Mundelein, ILL 60060.

[lucke1]

I was excited to read about your search for the childhood home where you grew up, Bette. My husband and I nearly bought a home in the Countryside Lake subdivision in the Spring of 2004. We fell in love with the neighborhood, the homes and the beautiful lake. I just discovered tonight that Countryside Lake itself is a manmade lake that was formed in the 1920's by power magnate Samuel Insull. Insull was very rich, having worked with Thomas Edison and then went on to control Commonwealth Edison. He also built a home south of Libertyville that is now known as the Cuneo Museum.
To make a long story short, as we were looking for a home to purchase in Countryside Lake ... I discovered that a large home -- surrounded by a golf course -- was for sale. My husband went and was given a tour by the owner. It was a wonderful house, he said. Although it wasn't right for our family, I often think about it and wonder if it was ever sold. It was one of a kind!
The story of how you left your home touched my heart. I hope that you are able to visit it again. I'll do some research to see if I can help you locate it.
Good Luck!

[lucke1]

Hello again,

According to the Lake County property tax assessments, your former home was sold on 8/27/2004. Records also indicate that the house was built in 1932, just six years after Samuel Insull had Countryside Lake formed.

As for the exact address, this is a bit tricky ... the long and winding driveway to your home (which is located in the middle of the golf course) begins at the intersection of W. Lakeview Parkway and N. Countryside Lake Drive. The driveway runs East and then North until it reaches the house. At some point, the driveway takes on a name of its own: N. Northwest Parkway. The tax records list the address as 27322 N. Northwest Parkway.

This is an exceptional home and location. I can understand why you have such vivid memories and would like to visit it again. By the way, during what years did you live here?

If you need additional directions, I can help.

Good Luck!

[lucke1]

Bette,

The aerial map photo that was sent to you may not be the house that you are looking for ... in fact, I'm sure it's not, since that house is located right along Route 83, and North of Hawley Street. The driveway is short and accessed directly from Route 83, which is a busy street.

I know this area well and I believe that the house you have described which IS located in the middle of the golf course is actually this house:

Web browser and Live Maps are incompatible

I just hope that the web address isn't too long for this message!

[lucke1]

I'm so sorry that the web address was too much for the message.

I haven't had any luck plugging the address into the mapping websites, perhaps because it is the only house on its "street"/driveway.

Anyhow, I'm sure I know which house was yours, Bette. I wish that I could help you to see it again.

[lucke1]

Okay, after all this ... I'm not sure. I took another look and re-read your messages.

I do want you to know that there is ANOTHER house that is built smack dab in the middle of the golf course ... only on the other side of Hawley Street.

Sorry for the confusion if your house was on the North side, rather than the South side of Hawley.

Good Luck finding the right house!

[judyw4ever]

I've only been a resident of Mundelein for 11 years, but I never knew there were homes within the golf course. Interesting.

There isn't much to see here in Mundelein. As a single mom, it was an inexpensive area to raise my children. There are a few upper class areas, but mostly middle to lower class income. The main roads from border to border are run down, and the village doesn't seem force citizens living on these roads to keep their property neat or clean.

I live in an older well-established area south of the downtown area. There is a house behind mine which has 7 dead oak trees in the back yard. My friends and family can't believe the village hasn't severly fined this resident and/or forced him to remove these dead trees.

The north end of Mundelein has been fast growing the past couple years. Rte 60, North of Rte 176 is now a very built-up retail area.

It's alway nice to visit a childhood home. If you get this chance, I hope you enjoy the trip.