Greenwood, in the northern reaches of McHenry County, Illinois, is a small village whose story is quietly compelling. With a modest population of just under 600 people, the community is known for being a commuter village—many residents travel into the broader Chicago area for work—while preferring the pace of a more rural or semi-rural way of life.
The village was incorporated on April 4, 1995, making it relatively young in formal civic status, though people have occupied and farmed the land around it for much longer. Greenwood is comprised of roughly 2.66 square miles (all land) with an elevation of about 889 feet above sea level. Major roads crossing through or near include Greenwood Road, Howe Road, West Wonder Lake Road, Thompson Road, Wondermere Road, Allendale Road, and Miller Road.
What the place is known for, beyond its commuter identity, includes its rural calm, open skies, and a landscape where agriculture and residential life meet. It doesn’t bustle like larger towns, but many appreciate its quiet roads and the way evenings tend to stretch long in summer, and winter snow feels deep and enveloping. Local lore speaks of deer roaming the outskirts almost daily, families gathering for harvest dinners, and occasional stories of old barns with hidden rooms once used by early settlers. One such tale claims that a particular barn on Howe Road once sheltered wayfarers traveling by horse from one township to another—though records are sketchy, the barn’s beams bear marks that some say are century-old.
Restaurants and businesses within Greenwood are fewer than in busier towns, but there are a handful that locals still count on. One is Greenwood Grill, located on Greenwood Road, which serves breakfast, lunch, and has Mexican-influenced offerings. Patrons often praise the homemade red and green sauces, the taco salad with pork, or the house-special omelet. Though it might seem like just a place to grab a morning coffee or a midday meal, it functions as a community meeting point: people pass through, chat, leave recommendations.
Because the village is small, many businesses in the vicinity are either service-oriented or cater to regional traffic; shops and markets in nearby larger towns are often where people go for specialty goods. Within Greenwood itself, small convenience stores, perhaps a local grain or feed supplier, tend to be known by name among farmers and longtime residents—places where you will always find familiar faces and local knowledge.
Things to do in the area often lean toward nature, community events, and occasional festivals. There is nothing on the scale of large fairs, but residents expect small-town happenings: farm stands, seasonal roadside produce sales, and perhaps a local church or school event. Because of its proximity to larger towns and lakes in McHenry County, some who live in Greenwood enjoy fishing, hiking, birdwatching. The natural setting offers possibilities for enjoying sunsets across fields, watching migratory birds overhead, and in winter, tracking animal footprints in snow.
Customs tend to follow agricultural rhythms: harvests in autumn, snow preparations in winter; community meals around Thanksgiving; lawn decorations in summer. Neighbors often help one another when weather turns harsh, whether that’s helping shovel snow or sharing equipment. Many households maintain home gardens and small livestock (chickens, bees) more frequently than in strictly urban settings.
Because the village lies in the orbit of larger municipalities, festivals sometimes draw people from nearby towns. Though Greenwood itself doesn’t host many large-scale annual festivals (as of latest records none major beyond local or church-sponsored), regional events in McHenry County are frequent and residents often attend.
As a professional wildlife control company, we recognize that in a place like Greenwood, wildlife isn’t just a backdrop—it’s something that occasionally comes too close for comfort. We offer humane and effective services to help manage unwelcome critters that may damage property, threaten crops, or enter homes. Whether you’re dealing with raccoons in barns, mice in attics, or birds nesting where they shouldn’t, we have the tools and expertise to restore balance. If you live in Greenwood and are facing a wildlife issue, we invite you to
contact us today. Let us help protect your home, your land, and your peace of mind.
