Mount Prospect

Nestled amidst the suburban tapestry of Chicago, lies the vibrant village of Mount Prospect. A place where friendliness is a way of life. Mount Prospect boasts a rich history interwoven with tales of German immigrants, ambitious developers, and a surprising connection to the iconic “Blues Brothers” movie. Mount Prospect wasn’t always the bustling suburb it is today. Originally, the Potawatomi tribe called this land home. Traces of earlier Native American settlements hint at a history stretching back centuries before European settlers arrived. By the mid-19th century, German immigrants, primarily Lutherans from southern Germany, began putting down roots here. Mount Prospect became a predominantly German-speaking farming community, centered around St. John Lutheran Church, founded in 1848. The arrival of the railroad in 1850 marked a turning point. Farmers began specializing in commercial crops, and the village’s economy shifted from subsistence to trade. A pivotal figure in Mount Prospect’s development was Ezra Eggleston. In 1874, he envisioned a thriving town centered around a train station. Eggleston purchased a large tract of land, laid out the streets, and gave the village its name: “Mount,” because of its elevated position, and “Prospect,” for the bright future he foresaw. Unfortunately, Eggleston’s timing coincided with the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the Panic of 1873. His land speculation faltered, but his legacy remains in the layout of Mount Prospect’s downtown. The village continued to grow. A blacksmith shop, a tavern, a post office, and a public school followed, attracting more residents. Mount Prospect officially became a village in 1917, boasting a population of 300. The 20th century saw booms and busts. The 1920s brought land speculation and the development of the Northwest Hills Country Club. Post-World War II suburban migration fueled significant growth. Prospect High School opened in 1957, followed by numerous elementary schools. The opening of Randhurst shopping mall in 1962 marked a shift in retail patterns, eventually leading to a downtown redevelopment in the 1990s. Mount Prospect even earned a place in pop culture history. The iconic “Bluesmobile” in the 1980 film “The Blues Brothers” was famously described as being purchased from the Mount Prospect Police Department. A later episode of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” paid homage to this, featuring a Mount Prospect police cruiser. Today, Mount Prospect thrives as a diverse community with a population exceeding 56,000. It boasts excellent schools, parks, and a revitalized downtown. The village honors its past while embracing the future, a testament to the enduring spirit of its founders and residents.