Excellent rail transportation favored the village, as did the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal, attracting industry. Today, it is advantaged by the Stevenson Expressway (I-55).

Forest View came into being in 1924, drawing many World War I veterans and their families to its quiet setting. In fact, at one time Forest View was the only community in the nation governed totally by ex-servicemen.

Significant history predates the founding of Forest View. It is located at the place where explorers Marquette and Jolliet forded between the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers.