A solitary figure stands tall against the backdrop of Arlington Heights, forever frozen in a moment of quiet contemplation. Here, at the bustling intersection of Arlington Heights Road and Northwest Highway, we find the William Dunton Statue. This bronze tribute isn’t just a testament to a man, but to the very spirit of this town. William Dunton wasn’t born in Arlington Heights, you see. He arrived on the scene in 1836, a young man of 17 with the world at his feet. In his hands, he held not a blueprint, but a vision. And on the untamed prairie, he built his home, the first in what would become Arlington Heights. But Dunton was more than just a settler; he was a builder in every sense of the word.
He envisioned a bustling hub and understood the power of connection. So, when the railroad came knocking in 1854, he didn’t hesitate. He sold a portion of his land, paving the way for progress and transforming Arlington Heights into a vital link in the growing nation. Dunton even had the honor of mapping out the burgeoning town, initially naming it “Bradley” after a dear friend. Alas, fate had other plans. Another town already claimed the name, forcing Dunton to rename his beloved town. And so, for the next two decades, it was known as “Dunton,” a testament to the family who dared to dream. It was only in 1874 that it finally embraced the name we know today: Arlington Heights.
But the legacy of William Dunton, the man who laid the very first stone, continues to resonate through the streets. This statue, erected in 2001, stands as a reminder of the pioneering spirit that built this town, a testament to the power of vision, and the enduring impact of one man’s dreams.