Westmont

What if I told you the Rolling Stones might have visited Westmont? Yes, right here in Westmont. It’s a local legend, linking the bluesman Muddy Waters, a Westmont resident for a decade until his death in 1983, and the band who named themselves after his song “Rollin’ Stone”. Westmont, a village nestled in the Chicago suburbs, boasts a history richer than many realize. Incorporated in 1921, Westmont’s story begins long before its official founding. The Potawatomi tribe originally inhabited this land. They established a network of trails, some of which evolved into present-day roads like Naperville Road, once the Buffalo Trail, and Ogden Avenue, formerly the Ottawa and LaSalle Trail. In 1833, the Potawatomi were coerced into leaving their ancestral home by the US government. One of the earliest settlers to pass through the area was Bailey Hobson in 1829. He was on his way to Naperville. Even Francois DuPage, the namesake of DuPage County, and Father Pierre Marquette are said to have traveled through this area. The Illinois-Michigan Canal, while not directly in Westmont, played a role in its early development. The 1837 economic panic halted canal construction. Many workers, stranded in the area, turned to farming, establishing agriculture as the dominant industry. Westmont’s proximity to Chicago provided a ready market for their produce. A plank road, built starting in 1840 and reaching Naperville by 1851, further facilitated trade, connecting Westmont to Chicago across a challenging nine-mile swamp. The railroad arrived in 1864, thanks to the persistent petitions of local towns to the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad. Known then as Gregg’s Station, Westmont transformed from an agricultural hub to a commuter town. The fields and dairy farms gradually gave way to housing developments. Westmont, the “Progressive Village”, as some call it, is more than just a suburb. It’s a community built on resilience and volunteerism, a place where history whispers from every corner. So, the next time you hear the Rolling Stones, remember Westmont. Who knows, maybe Mick Jagger did stroll down these very streets.