Transportation is a breeze for residents in both communities. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad runs through the middle of Clarendon Hills and has three stations in Hinsdale. In addition to the main downtown station, there is the West Hinsdale station, and the Highlands station near the east side of town. Residents have only a 30-minute train ride to Chicago's Union Station.

Hinsdale and neighboring Clarendon Hills have eight elementary schools that feed into Hinsdale Central High School. Clarendon Hills includes two high school districts, 86 and 201 and elementary school district 181. Students in District 181 (elementary) and 86 (secondary) consistently rank at the top in the state's school report cards. District 181 offers a comprehensive K-8 curriculum covering the areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social science, physical education, art, music and foreign language. A middle school program features grade level teams, elective and exploratory offerings and extra-curricular activities. A special program is provided to identify gifted students. Local colleges include the College of DuPage and Elmhurst College.

The area offers its residents two dozen parks totaling more than 122 acres. This wealth of open space is perfect for picnicking, walking, and sporting activities of all kinds. Eight parks within Hinsdale have playground equipment as well as 16 tennis courts and a public swimming pool. Ice-skating and platform tennis are available on park grounds.

Residents in both communities often come together for special events. The June Fine Arts Festival is a two-day outdoor show drawing about 5,000 visitors annually. The July 4th Parade and Crafts Show brings even bigger crowds to the Village to enjoy Independence Day festivities. The Community House sponsors a renowned antique show every September and the local AAUW features a fabulous house walk in October. The Hinsdale Center for the Arts sponsors ongoing exhibits, and their Art of Giving show is a December highlight.

Medical facilities are close by at Hinsdale Hospital, a 462-bed facility noted for the comprehensive diagnostic and treatment programs available in its Opler Cancer Center and the Rooney Heart Institute.

The history of Hinsdale can be traced back for more than a century. What is called "Hinsdale" today was once known as Brush Hill and later called Fullersburg. Hardy pioneers came west from the shores of Lake Michigan following the old Black Hawk Indian Trail, which led them to what is now DuPage County.

With great foresight, William Robbins, "the Father of Hinsdale," bought 6,400 acres of land in 1862, and a village was born. One of the first things Robbins did was to plan and build streets, and equally as important, he planted thousands of young shade trees. The name "Hinsdale" was formally established on April 3, 1873.

The history of Clarendon Hills dates back to 1854 when Henry Middaugh came west to Chicago. Middaugh became a gentleman farmer when he purchased 270 acres of land north of the railroad tracks in the present Clarendon Hills. He tile drained his land and planted 11 miles of trees, largely white ash and elm, along the proposed streets which wound with the contour of the land. He built an imposing residence and anticipated that other wealthy persons would follow suit. However, his dream of development did not come true in his lifetime. Today, residents of the city benefit from his dream.

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