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In 1924, when English-born entrepreneur Samuel Insull
and other investors bought a total of 2,200 acres of farmland
for more than twice its estimated value, farmers scratched
their heads wondering what was on the horizon. According to
local historian Charles N. Field, the "Great Proviso Mystery"
was born. Speculators thought the area might be developed
into an industrial center and rumors said Standard Oil had
struck oil in the region. Westchester was incorporated in
1925, and true to Insull's vision of an American hamlet, the
streets were christened with English-inspired names.
However, a few names of the first 19th century settlers,
German farmers, still punctuate the village: Boeger Court,
Heidorn and Haase Avenues.
1926 marked the first village election, in which a total
35 votes were cast. Otto Taeterow was Westchester's first
president. Shortly after that, the village constructed water
mains, streets, sidewalks and the first double sewer system
in the Proviso area. Elevated train service on Roosevelt
Road helped the town get off the ground in 1926. In 1930,
the population was 358.
Developed land was severely tied up during the
Depression under delinquent taxes and contract payments,
therefore Westchester property was difficult to sell and
growth was stunted until just before World War II. The taxedland
problem was partly solved by sub-dividing, which
created homes available to a wider range of buyers.
Around 1940, realtors began to promote the town,
touting its excellent location. Martin Braun, George F. Nixon
and Walter Baltis were the three most prevalent builders of
the era. The majority of the homes were constructed of face
brick with plaster walls, hardwood floors and full basements.
People working in nearby war-created industrial plants were
able to afford Westchester homes. Others moving into the
suburb discovered the location benefits of the village.
Westchester is a hub to the Chicago area—only minutes
away from O'Hare Airport and Midway Airport; Wisconsin,
Indiana and/or Michigan state lines are just 30-45 minutes.
The TriState Tollway is
on the west side of
Westchester and the
Eisenhower
Expressway on the
north side for Loopbound
commuters.
Britten School, a two-room
schoolhouse named for the first
School Board president, Grant M.
Britten, was the first school established under District 92-1/2
in 1930. Today, the district educates over 1,100 children in
Westchester Primary, Intermediate and Middle Schools.
The village is home to several private schools including
Divine Infant with grades pre-school through 8th and Divine
Providence with kindergarten though 8th grade as well as a
Catholic high school where all students have laptop
computers—St. Joseph co-educational High School.
In 1928, the village's only policeman alternated his
services between patrols and mail deliveries. Today, the
village's police department employs 48 full-time personnel.
Further, what began as the Westchester Fireman's
Association in 1954, has turned into a two-station fire
department that employs firefighters, EMTs and lists a threeminute
fire response time.
In 1953 a referendum proposing the creation of a park
district now comprises ten parks and includes a public
swimming pool, built in 1977.
The Westchester Public Library, established in 1954,
moved to 10700 Canterbury Street in 1965. In 1993, an east
wing was added and the library is now home to the internet
and approximately 100,000 books.
For more information about the Village, Village municipal
code, Village officials, a newsletter archive, a complete list of
commissions and boards as well as links to related sites,
visit the Village of Westchester online at:
www.westchester-il.org
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