WOOD DALE - PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

Past

Wood Dale Train Depot, 1900s

The area now known as Wood Dale was first inhabited by the Winnebago tribe, part of the Sioux nation, and used as hunting grounds. The Winnebago gave up the grounds in a treaty after Illinois became a state in 1818. In 1833, Hezekiah Dunklee, formerly of New Hampshire, made a claim (along with fellow traveler Mason Smith) on land near a large stand of trees by the Salt Creek, which became known as Dunklee's Grove. Edward Lester and family arrived in November 1835 and made their claim on Irving Park Road at the Salt Creek. A daughter in the family, Julia, requested a building to teach school the following summer located near the present site of the water treatment plant; the first such building in the area.

Irving Park Road looking west, 1940s.

Prior to the Civil War, the area surrounding Dunklee's Grove saw a large influx of German immigrants. This group produced merchants, doctors, lawyers and teachers and built churches, schools, hospitals, stores and banks. Culture and prosperity flowed, Germans claimed much of the remaining area, and a bilingual community was created. Following the Civil War, transportation in the area was a "nightmare". Frederick Lester, the youngest of Edward's sons, led a group that persuaded the Chicago and Pacific Railroad to build a track through some of the properties. He donated the depot site next to his home on Salt Creek and contributed toward its construction. By 1873, the line stretched through the area from Chicago to Elgin. Lester and Frederick Heuer constructed the first industry in the area, a cheese factory, next to the depot. By 1874, the area at the north end of Dunklee's Grove was known as Lester.

 

Hoppensteadt Store and Home, 1908. Southwest corner of Wood Dale Rd. and Irving Park Road.

In 1890, the train station was moved to its present location near Wood Dale Road and Irving Park Road in order to build an inn, thus turning Lester into a "business corner". Prior to the turn of the century, there was a proposed subdivision south of the tracks and east of Wood Dale Road to be called Wooddale. The residents liked it enough to change the name of the station to Wooddale in 1899. By 1928, there was sufficient support for incorporation. Thus, the Village of Wood Dale was created. Wood Dale grew slowly through World War II. Beginning in the 1960s, however, the population grew immensely - from 3,071 in 1960 to over 11,000 by 1980. Perhaps no one embodies the pride and character of Wood Dale more than its hometown hero, Jim Spivey, a three-time United States Olympic Team member does.

 

Wood Dale Business District, 1959. Northwest corner of Wood Dale Road and railroad tracks.

Chicago & Elgin Road Bridge (Irving Park Rd.) over Salt Creek, 1913

Present

Memorial

Today, the City of Wood Dale is a small, family-oriented community located just west of Chicago. As a result of industrial development along Thorndale Avenue on the north side of the City during the 1980s the City was able to balance its tax base and provide jobs for thousands in and around the area. The City's proximity to O'Hare Airport, several major interstate highways, convenient rail transportation as well as numerous shopping areas, restaurants and cultural facilities make Wood Dale an ideal place for family and business alike. The City has operated under the council-manager form of government for the past 30+ years. Eight aldermen elected from four wards and a mayor elected at large see to the needs of Wood Dale residents while a professional city manager and staff see to day to day operations. The City is currently involved in numerous projects to improve the look, safety and quality of life in and around town. These projects include a flood reservoir, a bike/pedestrian bridge over Irving Park Road, streetscape features such as landscaping and streetlights as well as various other improvements. In addition, the City has received grant dollars for several projects including funding for construction of a salt storage dome, improvements to the Wood Dale Historical Society's Yesterdays Farm Museum, plans for a new "prairie-style" train depot, continuing floodplain property purchases and construction of a bike/pedestrian path through the City.

 

Residential	Historical Society
Church

Future
The future is very bright. And no matter the person, the City of Wood Dale is sure to leave a lasting impression in the history books for years to come.

 

Entry Sign	Bike Path
Diamond Jubilee