Was La Grange always a bustling suburb of Chicago? Of course not! Right now, we stand in La Grange, a village teeming with life and history. It all began in the 1830s, when Chicago residents sought refuge from the city’s booming population. They found their peace here, approximately 13 miles west of the Chicago Loop. Franklin Dwight Cossitt, a successful grocery wholesaler originally from Tennessee, envisioned an ideal suburb. He purchased land here in 1870 and got to work, laying out streets, planting trees, and constructing homes. Cossitt even donated land for churches and schools, shaping La Grange into a true community. He named his new village after La Grange, Tennessee, a place close to his heart from his younger years.
Today, La Grange boasts a charming Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This district features a collection of over 1,000 buildings showcasing architectural styles popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You might even spot a few homes designed by the renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. It is said that one of these homes, a bit of a “bootleg” design, led to Wright’s dismissal from his then employer, Louis Sullivan. But La Grange isn’t just about looking back. The village hosts a variety of lively events throughout the year. One such event, the annual Pet Parade, has been a tradition since 1947. Picture this: thousands gather to witness a parade of animals, from dogs and cats to hamsters, birds, and even farm animals, marching through the heart of downtown. Now, isn’t that a sight to behold? La Grange beautifully blends its rich past with a vibrant present.