St. Charles

St. Charles is a town on the Fox River in Kane and DuPage counties in northern Illinois. The settlement covers around 39 square kilometers (15 square miles) and combines residential areas with shopping streets and parkland along the river.

The settlement was founded in 1834 as Charleston, but residents changed the name in 1839 to avoid confusion with another place in Illinois. The new name honors an early settler who lived and worked here by the river.

The town takes its name from Charles Warne, one of the early settlers who ran a tavern along the river. Today the main street retains a small-town feel with brick storefronts and local shops that draw people out for walks along the water.

Three shopping areas lie downtown, on the east side, and on the west side, all reached by Routes 64, 38, 25, and 31. For orientation, follow the Fox River, which runs north to south through the center.

The Q Center on the edge of town was once a college campus and now welcomes conference guests from around the world. Weekend events downtown bring people together, including a fall scarecrow festival and a summer dragon boat race.

Location: Kane County

Location: DuPage County

Inception: 1834

Elevation above the sea: 229 m

Website: http://ci.st-charles.il.us

GPS coordinates: 41.91924,-88.31101

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:31