DuPage County

Amidst the prairie landscape, a county emerged. DuPage County, a testament to time and transformation. Established in 1839, DuPage County’s story intertwines with the growth of Chicago and the evolution of transportation in northeastern Illinois. DuPage County borrowed its name from the DuPage River, which was named after a French fur trapper. Initially, Naperville served as the county seat. However, in 1867, it relocated to Wheaton due to its central location. This shift sparked resistance from Naperville, leading to a dramatic midnight retrieval of county records by Wheaton’s Civil War veterans. DuPage County’s early settlers navigated existing Native American trails, with the Potawatomi people having established villages along the local rivers. Stage routes connected the area to Chicago, and the arrival of Bailey and Clarissa Hobson in 1832 marked the beginning of permanent European-American settlement. Hobson’s gristmill, situated near present-day Hobson Road in Naperville, served as a hub for the growing community. The 1833 Treaty of Chicago altered the landscape, prompting westward movement of Native American populations and accelerating white settlement along the DuPage River branches. The development of transportation routes, including the Illinois & Michigan Canal and railroads, further shaped DuPage County. These routes not only facilitated trade with Chicago but also attracted diverse groups of workers who contributed to the county’s growth. Irish, English, German, Italian, Mexican, and African American communities became integral parts of DuPage’s fabric. DuPage County’s strategic location and transportation infrastructure also drew scientific and business ventures. Argonne National Laboratory was established in 1947, and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, a world-renowned particle accelerator, commenced operations in 1973. The planned community of Oak Brook, with its proximity to major highways and O’Hare Airport, solidified DuPage’s reputation as a business center. By the 1980s, the Research and Development Corridor along the East-West Tollway further enhanced this image. By 2000, DuPage County had become a significant employment hub, with more people commuting into the county than leaving it. Naperville, transformed into an “edge city,” became the county’s most populous community. With only 5% of its land dedicated to agriculture by 1995, DuPage County embraced its suburban identity. The county’s history is a blend of geographical shifts, transportation advancements, and cultural diversity, reflecting its journey from prairie land to a vital component of the Chicago metropolitan area. DuPage County, a place where history whispers from every corner.