Kane County Board Marks Hampshire's 150th Anniversary

A village’s 150-year milestone was more than a celebration of history. It was a tribute to the generations of families, farmers, business owners and neighbors who have made the Village of Hampshire home.

That was especially evident Nov. 10, when several Hampshire residents gathered at the Kane County Board meeting to celebrate the 150th anniversary of their village's incorporation and reflect on the deep family roots that continue to shape the community.

Kane County Board member Jennifer Abbatacola brought the group together and presented a proclamation recognizing the milestone on behalf of the Kane County Board. Among those attending was Hampshire Village President Mike Reid, along with residents whose family histories are woven into the village's nearly two centuries of settlement.

For some, Hampshire isn't simply where they live. It's where their great-grandparents settled, where family businesses began and where generations have continued to build their lives.

Kristi Castaneda attended with her mother, Jane Tegtman, whose family has a particularly long connection to the area. Their family towing business traces its beginnings to 1921, when it was started by Castaneda's great-grandfather. Today, sixth- and seventh-generation family members still live at Allen's Corner, where their ancestors settled nearly 190 years ago.

Gayla Doty Fell also shared a family history that reaches back to Hampshire's earliest days. Her great-great-grandparents arrived in the area in 1843 and purchased land from the federal government. They farmed along Allen Road, helping establish the agricultural roots that remain an important part of Hampshire's identity.

Sue Getzelman recalled how her family came to the United States from Germany in 1848. Her grandparents were farmers, but their contributions to the community extended well beyond agriculture. Over the years, family members operated a variety of local businesses, including a veterinary practice, a neighborhood bar, a women's dress shop, an auto body repair shop, a construction company and, most recently, a barber shop in downtown Hampshire.

​Hampshire's story began long before its official incorporation. In 1836, Zenas Allen of Vermont became the first settler in what is now Hampshire Township. Pioneer families followed, establishing the settlement of Henpeck along the Chicago-Galena stagecoach road.

As the settlement grew, residents built a log schoolhouse, organized a school district and worked together to bring the railroad west. In October 1874, Hampshire Center was platted along the Chicago & Pacific Railroad.

On Oct. 28, 1876, residents voted 73 to 2 in favor of incorporation. The results were certified to the Kane County Court on Nov. 9, 1876, officially establishing the Village of Hampshire. Samuel C. Rowell, a local merchant, became its first village president.

By 1893, Hampshire's dairy farmers had made the village the second-largest milk-producing and shipping station in Illinois, supplying fresh dairy products to Chicago.

Over the years, churches, schools, businesses, civic organizations and generations of residents helped shape the community. The Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library District, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2026, is another example of the community's longstanding commitment to education and public service.

Today, Hampshire is home to more than 390 businesses and continues to preserve its agricultural heritage while welcoming new residents and opportunities.

The village has grown by 38 percent over the past decade, reaching a population of 7,667 in the 2020 Census. Its rural landscape, historic downtown, schools, community events and municipal services remain important parts of its identity.