Picture the year 1833. The Treaty of Chicago reshaped the land. Arlington Heights as we know it didn’t exist yet. Potawatomi trails crisscrossed the area. These trails would later become Arlington Heights Road and Rand Road.
Arlington Heights a village in Cook and Lake counties Illinois has a rich and complex history. It wasn’t always known by this name. It began as West Wheeling then Dunton. The name Arlington Heights arrived in 1874. The arrival of the Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad in 1854 drastically changed the town. It became easier for settlers to reach Dunton. The population boomed.
German farmers from Saxony significantly impacted the region’s growth in the 1840s. John Klehm a potato farmer started a nursery. This boosted the area’s agricultural reputation. Dunton became known for its truck farms supplying Chicago. The Civil War also affected Arlington Heights. Many residents served in the Union army. Sadly only a few returned. One survivor Charles Sigwalt fought in significant battles. The war brought changes to the village. It was also a stop for Union soldiers traveling south or north.
Arlington Heights continued to grow after the war. A blacksmith a cheese factory and a hotel all emerged. The community grew religiously diverse as well. German Lutheran St Peter Lutheran Church arrived in 1860. Later numerous other churches appeared. St James St Edna and Our Lady of the Wayside are prominent Catholic churches today.
The arrival of the 20th century saw the opening of Arlington Park Racetrack in 1927. It was a major attraction for the community. It hosted the Arlington Million and the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships in 2002. A fire in 1985 destroyed the grandstand. A new one opened in 1989. Sadly in 2021 the track closed. It was sold for redevelopment. The Chicago Bears are planning a new stadium there.
A population explosion occurred in the 1950s and 60s. The spread of car ownership the growth of Chicago’s economy and white flight from the city fueled this. Arlington Heights grew through annexations. Its population reached 64884 by 1970. The formerly isolated train stop became part of a continuous area stretching from Lake Michigan to the Fox River.
Today Arlington Heights thrives. It has a vibrant downtown area with restaurants shops and entertainment. The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is a notable venue. It also has the Arlington Heights Memorial Library boasting a large collection of books. The village offers a diverse mix of attractions and a strong sense of community. It successfully blends a small town charm with the amenities of a suburb near Chicago. Come explore the captivating layers of this historic village.