What if I told you that Dolton, Illinois, began as a humble ferry crossing? Today, we explore the story of this Cook County village. It is a place that transformed from a simple river crossing to a diverse community.
Dolton’s story starts in 1835. George Dolton settled where the old Indian trail crossed the Little Calumet River. This crossing is now Lincoln Avenue. Dolton and J. C. Matthews operated a ferry service here. Matthews arrived in 1836. They ran the ferry until 1842. A toll bridge then replaced it. It operated until 1856. This area was known as Riverdale Crossing. It was located along Indiana Avenue. This is now part of Riverdale and Chicago’s Riverdale community.
The village gets its name from Dolton’s family. His sons settled here. German immigration increased in the late 1840s. Early industries included a distilling and a lumber company. These were located on the Calumet River. Railroads boosted Dolton’s growth. Rail expansion began in the 1850s. This shaped Dolton’s physical landscape. Irish Catholics came to work on the railroads. From 1866 to 1910, the village was known as Dolton Station.
Early agriculture focused on hay and grain. By the 1890s, Dolton was a major producer for Chicago. It supplied potatoes and asparagus. Cabbage, onions, sugar beets, eggplants, and lima beans were also grown here. This agricultural activity led to packing and canning industries.
Clay deposits were exploited in 1885. They supplied three brick companies. In 1911, brick workers successfully struck for a month. They protested wage reductions. The combination of railroads and the Little Calumet River was ideal for industry. Dolton grew as a center for truck farming and manufacturing.
Dolton produced bakery equipment and brass castings. Shipping containers and cement were also made here. The village also manufactured furniture. Agricultural equipment, steel tanks, and chemicals were produced in Dolton. This diverse activity attracted a varied workforce.
The Calumet Expressway improved access to Chicago in the 1960s. It is now the Bishop Ford Freeway. In recent years, many African Americans have moved to Dolton. The 2020 census recorded a population of 21,426.
Dolton has a motto. It reads: “A community working together.” The Dolton Public Library opened in 1954. It originally held 5,000 books in the Village Hall. In 1967, the library moved to a new facility. It housed 35,000 books. Today, Dolton features over 120 acres of recreational space. There are 11 parks here. A recreational center offers a gymnasium and fitness room.
So, as we stand here, remember Dolton’s journey. From a simple ferry crossing to a thriving village. Dolton continues to evolve. It is a testament to community and progress.