What if I told you that Forest View, Illinois, was once nicknamed “Caponeville?” This village in Cook County wasn’t always the quiet industrial corridor it is today. Founded in 1924, Forest View was intended as a haven for World War I veterans. Attorney Joseph Nosek envisioned a peaceful community. He named it Forest View for its beautiful views of the forest preserves. These were located just west of Harlem Avenue.
But the dream soured quickly. In the mid-1920s, gangster Ralph Capone forced Nosek and others out. Forest View became a mobster’s paradise. Newspaper accounts described a “mystery town” run by “phantom men.” Capone housed bootleg liquor distilleries in homes and garages. He also founded the Maple Inn. It was an infamous brothel. Vigilantes eventually burned down Capone’s headquarters. The gangster moved his operations to Cicero.
With Capone gone, Forest View faced new challenges. The Great Depression stalled its development. It wasn’t until 1949 that the village saw a resurgence. Commonwealth Edison built a large generating plant. The revenues from the plant gave Forest View a new lease on life. Annexation of industrial land further fueled development after 1952. The village grew from 50 homes to over 250. Industry boomed. Some even called Forest View the “trucking capital of the world.” What began as “Caponeville” transformed into the “Cinderella Village” of the 1950s.
Today, Forest View has a population of approximately 792 residents. While small, upwards of 70,000 people visit, work, or pass through Forest View every day. The village is only 1.29 square miles. The residential area makes up only about 10% of it. The remaining 90% is industrial. It includes the Stevenson Expressway corridor and trucking facilities.
Forest View faces the challenge of balancing quality services with affordable taxes. It strives to ensure the safety of everyone who lives, works, or passes through. The village’s history is inscribed in its original incorporation book. It is a memorial to those who served in World War I. Forest View is the only known village in the United States originally governed exclusively by ex-servicemen.
So, next time you’re near Forest View remember its colorful past. From a haven for veterans to “Caponeville” to an industrial hub, Forest View has a unique story to tell. It is a story of resilience, transformation, and community.