Picture this. A bustling industrial center nestled amongst quiet residential streets. That’s Franklin Park. Lesser Franklin a real estate broker had a vision. He dreamt of a town blending industry with homes. He bought 600 acres in the 1890s. Three railroads intersected there. It was perfect for his plan.
Franklin Park Illinois wasn’t always a thriving community. German farmers first settled the area in the 1840s. Then came the railroads in the 1870s. They laid tracks and built a station. This spurred development. Lesser Franklin saw an opportunity.
He created a spectacle to attract buyers. Free Sunday train rides brought people to his land. A pavilion offered free food and beer. Speeches contests and dancing entertained potential residents. Lot sales exceeded a million dollars. Franklin Park was incorporated in 1892. His vision was taking shape.
The first industry an iron foundry opened in 1900. Lesser Franklin donated the land. More factories followed. Immigrants mostly Polish Italian and Slavic found work here. World War II boosted the town further. Douglas Aircraft and Buick Motors set up operations. By 1948 forty manufacturing firms called Franklin Park home.
The town’s growth was impressive. The population exploded. It rose from 3007 in 1940 to 18322 by 1960. Zoning laws favored industrial development. The fire department installed a central alarm system. This provided heat and smoke detection for both homes and businesses. Water reserves ensured a steady supply for large industrial users.
Franklin Park continued its expansion. It annexed 65 acres in 1990. It became the fourth largest industrial area in Illinois. By 2000 the population reached 19434. The Hispanic population grew to about 38 percent. Most residents were blue collar workers employed by the town’s many industries.
The location proved strategic. O’Hare Airport offered easy access to cargo terminals. Railroad freight terminals provided efficient transport. Major expressways and spur tracks made Franklin Park an attractive location for industry. Lesser Franklin’s vision a blend of industry and community became a reality. His legacy endures in this thriving town.