Was it named after a waterway? That’s a common misconception about Carol Park. Carol Park is a village in DuPage County. It is named after Carol Stream. She is the daughter of the founder Jay Stream. Let’s explore the story behind this unique name and the town it represents.
Carol Stream became a village on January 5 1959. Jay Stream wanted strong corporate growth. The first village board meeting was on February 12. The village is named after Jay Stream’s daughter Carol. This makes Carol Stream one of the few places named after a living person.
But there’s more to the story. In 1957 Carol was in a car accident. She was returning from Racine Wisconsin with three friends. Their car was struck. Carol was ejected into a utility pole. She was in a coma. Doctors suggested to Jay that good news might help her recovery. So he named the new community after her. Carol regained consciousness after four months. She found it odd and silly that the village bore her name.
Jay Stream’s vision for Carol Park was ambitious. He wanted people to live and work in the same town. He hoped this would reduce the need to commute to Chicago. He became frustrated with red tape in Naperville. A clerk advised him to build his own town. In 1957 Stream started buying farmland outside Wheaton.
Carol Stream herself never lived in Carol Park. She moved to Arizona in 1957. This was after her parents’ marriage ended. But she participated in anniversary celebrations. She rode in parades. People often asked her for autographs when she visited. Carol Stream passed away in Arizona on January 18 2020.
Carol Park has grown significantly since its founding. In 1962 the Carol Stream Public Library opened. The first Citizen of the Year Awards were given in 1965. The Carol Stream News paper was founded in 1966. The Carol Stream Fire Protection District formed in 1972.
The town center was dedicated in 1998. It was later known as the Ross Ferraro Town Center. Jay Stream died on January 22 2006. Carol Park celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009.
Today Carol Park covers 9.44 square miles. Most of it is land. A small percentage is water. The village has a diverse population. The racial makeup includes White African American Asian and Hispanic residents.
Carol Park offers many parks and recreational activities. Armstrong Park is named after Neil Armstrong. Aldrin Community Center is named after Buzz Aldrin. The Carol Stream Park District maintains 36 parks. The Great Western Trail passes through town.
The village is governed by a mayor and six trustees. Frank Saverino is the current mayor. A village administrator manages daily operations.
Carol Park’s story is one of vision resilience and community. From its unique naming to its growth and development Carol Park stands as a testament to Jay Stream’s dream. It is a place where people can live work and thrive. As you explore Carol Park remember the story of Carol Stream. Remember the founder’s vision.