Will County

Amidst the bustling energy of present-day Will County, whispers of the past linger. Will County, a land shaped by rivers and ambition. It’s hard to believe that this county, now the fourth most populous in Illinois, was once a vast prairie. The Potawatomi Nation called this land home, their trails and river routes crisscrossing the landscape. Imagine them here, farming, trapping, and trading. In the late 17th century, European fur traders arrived, drawn by the promise of abundant beaver, muskrat, and other wildlife. The fur trade thrived, but eventually dwindled as hunting and agriculture took their toll on the animal populations. The year 1826 marked a turning point with the arrival of Jesse Walker. He established Walker’s Grove, near present-day Plainfield, the first permanent white settlement in the area. While Walker dedicated himself to missionary work, other settlers focused on agriculture, milling, and trade, laying the groundwork for the county’s future growth. As more settlers arrived, the day-long trips to Chicago for legal matters became increasingly burdensome. The call for independence from Cook County grew louder. Finally, on January 12, 1836, Will County was born, carved from parts of Cook and Iroquois Counties. The county was named after Conrad Will, a prominent politician who, interestingly enough, never actually lived in the area. Just imagine, the county’s namesake never set foot on its soil. The wheels of progress turned quickly. In 1836, the first meeting of the Will County board took place in Joliet. The county was divided into districts, roads were planned, and the seeds of the Illinois and Michigan Canal were sown. The canal, completed in 1848, linked the Illinois and Chicago Rivers, creating a crucial waterway connecting the East to the Gulf of Mexico. Joliet flourished as a canal town, but its prosperity wasn’t solely tied to the waterway. In 1864, a chance discovery transformed the county’s economy. While drilling for water, William Henneberry struck coal, sparking a mining boom. By the 1880s, Will County was a major coal producer. As coal mining declined, another industry emerged: limestone quarrying. Joliet, nicknamed “Stone City,” supplied limestone for Chicago’s iconic Water Tower and numerous other buildings. The early 20th century saw further economic shifts. Manufacturers, seeking space and resources, flocked to Will County. A Texaco oil refinery opened in 1911, followed by others in the 1920s. World War II fueled further industrial growth with the construction of two ammunition plants. Will County’s population surged, particularly its African American community, which doubled in size between 1920 and 1930, and nearly doubled again by 1950. Like many industrial areas, Will County faced economic challenges in the late 20th century. While Joliet experienced a decline, surrounding areas like Lockport and Romeoville thrived. The county continued to grow, and the once distinct line between it and Chicago blurred. The paths and waterways that had connected them now flowed within a single metropolitan region. Will County stands today as a testament to this rich and complex history, a place where the echoes of the past resonate within a vibrant present.