Westmont

Westmont is a village in the county of DuPage. It is approximately 18 miles west of the Chicago Loop and covers an area of slightly over 5 square miles. According to the 2020 census has a population of 24,429.

After years of unsuccessful attempts by the U.S. government to persuade the Potawatomi to move from the area, the Native Americans agreed to vacate for a nominal fee in 1833. When the Illinois-Michigan Canal began in the early 1820s it contributed to Westmont's early growth.

When the canal construction halted in 1837, many of the workers turned to farming; and the agricultural products were sold in Chicago. As a result of its success, Westmont became one of the state's most prosperous areas.

In the early 1840s, the construction of a plank road was started from Chicago to the area in order to deliver agricultural products into the city of Chicago. The road crossed a nine-mile swamp area. It eventually reached Naperville in 1851. Today, this path is known as Ogden Avenue or Route 34. The plank road quickly proved insufficient, causing municipalities located between Aurora and Chicago to petition the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad for a railroad branch. The request was granted and the first train passed through their towns in 1864. Gregg's Milk Station, which would eventually become Westmont, was a stop for loading agricultural and dairy goods. As time went on, the town slowly changed from an agricultural area to one primarily composed of commuters; much of its growth-focused around the station.

When other towns in the area were settled by the affluent, Westmont's growth arose out of the hard work of its citizens. In 1872, after the Chicago Fire, William Gregg saw potential in the region due to its clay content and established the Excelsior Brick Company. He set his factory up on a hill so that when bricks were loaded onto a railcar below, they could easily be transported to the city. At its peak, the brickyard employed 120 people and generated over 69,000 bricks daily. Czechs, Poles, and Italians moved to the area that was later called Greggs; two schools and a depot were built. Gregg also invented the triple-pressure brick machine that produced bricks that could stand up to 100,000 pounds of pressure without cracking. The upward trajectory lasted until after 1900 when production ceased and many inhabitants departed.

For just five dollars down and small monthly payments, Arthur McIntosh who had previously bought land in Westmont offered working-class people the chance to own property in Westmont in 1919. The McIntosh development had more than 1,800 people in 1923, mostly Austrians, Poles, and Germans and their families. Initially, the settlers lived in tents and makeshift shacks. The streets were not paved and there were no utilities. Before long, however, they constructed modest cottages.

Maps for Westmont were produced in the early 1900s and the roads were dedicated; incorporation was decided by a 41-28 vote in 1921. Vince Pastor became Westmont's first village president on November 4, 1921.

Even though the Village of Westmont was incorporated in 1921, it acquired the nicknames "Whiskey Hill" and "Wet Mont" during Prohibition since they still served alcohol. People from nearby towns patronized the area where the illegal merchandising continued.

At first, Westmont did not favor condensed commercial or industrial development. The establishment of some service companies, industrial businesses, and wholesalers began in the 1950s. Westmont did not begin to grow steadily until the 1960s and 1970s. The Westmont High School opened in 1974.

The Westmont Park District looks after over 150 acres of parks, scheduling recreational activities throughout the year, listed in our seasonal broachers delivered to all village residents on a quarterly basis. The Park District incorporates parks and facilities, as well as utilizing village schools' recreational assets, offering a comprehensive range of athletics, exercise, and events.

There is something for everyone - from toddlers to senior citizens. A total of 155 acres of parkland are currently managed by the Westmont Park District. Throughout all the parks and facilities in the community, the Westmont Park District offers programs and services for people of all ages. The Westmont Park District celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009.

Westmont is served mostly by District 201. Some other districts that serve Westmont are Districts 60, 58, 99 & 86.

To Downtown Chicago – 23.6 miles

Transportation – There are Metra trains available in Westmont via the BNSF Railway line.