The Warrenville Chamber of Commerce was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1962 by 40 Warrenville business leaders. The Chamber has experienced continued growth in membership, service and programs offered to the business community; as well as to the community at large.

Today, the Chamber has grown to over 150 members and continues to address the needs of local business through programs, services and events as determined by the membership. Both the established business community and the new businesses coming here demonstrate the Chamber's motto: "Warrenville is Open for Business."

Warrenville is conveniently located in the western suburbs, approximately 50 minutes to the West of Chicago. Nestled on the western border of DuPage County, Warrenville has convenient access to major expressways including, I-88, I-355, I-55 and I-294 and state highways 59 and 56.

[Top of Page]

Warrenville is the second oldest city in DuPage County, settled two years after Naperville in 1833. It was named after its founder, Julius Morton Warren, one of the earliest settlers to the region. The DuPage River dictated the selection of Warren's land claim and in 1834 he developed a saw mill at its bend. By 1836, the Colonel (as he was known throughout the region) laid out property in lots. Friends and relatives from the East were induced to join the growing settlement.

The tavern, or public house, which the Colonel built in 1838 became a bustling stagecoach stop for travelers to and from Chicago and points west. A grist mill established in 1847 by Warren Smith and Alvah Fowler, adjoining the saw mill, anchored the village's business community for the remainder of the century.

The village developed into an influential community in the pre-Civil War days, culturally, socially and politically. The Colonel was elected as a representative to the state legislature from 1844-1845. He served again in 1850. Another famous person who resided in Warrenville for a long time was the well-known painter Adam Albright. He along with his twin sons, Ivan and Malcolm have intricate paintings that hang in museums all over the world. (Ivan is especially famous for the "Portrait of Dorian Gray.") The studio in which they worked was preserved and restored by our citizens. Today a portion of the Albright Studio is the home of the Warrenville Historical Museum.

The Warrenville Seminary, a private coeducational finishing school, opened for classes in the fall of 1851 under the direction of Seraph Warren Holmes. During the next decade hundreds of students, many from prominent Chicago families, boarded at the Seminary.

Both the tavern and the Seminary are still standing, as well as the original Warren house now located in the historical district on Main Street at Batavia Road. The Warren house, built in 1834, is thought to be the oldest structure still standing in DuPage county.

The coming of the Aurora, Elgin &Chicago RR in 1902 turned the quiet village's fortunes around, the availability of rapid transportation to Chicago and to Aurora making possible a new lifestyle. The nucleus of a commercial center in the depot area began to take shape.

The Chicago Telephone Company (forerunner of Illinois Bell) purchased 42 acres along the river and built a resort for its operators in 1916, called Margaret Mackin Hall. In 1939 when there was no longer a need to rehabilitate telephone operators, the estate was sold to a Catholic religious order, our Lady of the Cenacle. The Cenacle has become widely known for its retreats and programs, conducted for people of all faiths.

The electric line's shut-down in 1957 signaled the onset of a new era. The seventh attempt over several years to incorporate Warrenville succeeded at the polls on May 20, 1967 and the vacant depot was leased and remodeled for a municipal building in 1969. Since then the City's boundaries have been expanding, with new developments springing up yearly. Currently history is again being written with the growth of Cantera, a 660 acre development made up of residential and commercial properties. Cantera, located in the Southwest corner of Warrenville, will add another chapter to the history of this unique community. [Top of Page]

Warrenville is home to many services including police and fire protection. They are responsible for assuring the safety and protection of people and property within the City. The Fire Protection District currently operates two fire stations in Warrenville. There are 12 full time and 40 part-time paid on call fire fighters and emergency medical technicians. The department includes 11 full-time paramedics. Other services include, CPR classes, Safety School in connection with the Warrenville' Women's Connection, and school educational programs. The city government is responsible for the police department, which is striving to keep pace with the community's growth. Presently housed in the lower level of the community building are over 20 full time sworn officers along with 4 part-timers. Plans are in the works for a new state-of-the-art police facility scheduled for completion in 1997.

The Warrenville Public Library District was formed in 1979 and services the community with a public facility and programs that enhance its use. The book collection is 56,272 and non books total 4900 pieces. The library serves a population of 12,000, 70% of which hold registered library cards. Special services include free notary service, voter's registration, tax form distribution, hand signer for hearing impaired programs, after hours Night Owl Reference service, TDD phone service and volunteer opportunities. The library also offers storytime and adult seminars including a book discussion group. [Top of Page]

Wheaton Warrenville Unit School District 200 serves the students and residents of Warrenville with great pride. The District's program is grounded in the basics and enhanced by locally developed curriculum and innovative instructional practices. It has a school system where teachers have many opportunities for professional growth, where student commitment is demonstrated by high academic achievement and extra curricula success. Parents take an active role in the education process, administrators are instructional leaders and strategic planning provides the framework for addressing educational needs. The district serves nearly 14,000 students in the nineteen schools. [Top of Page]

The Warrenville Park District provides the residents with recreational programs, events and services along with parks and facilities in which to enjoy them. Park District facilities include a Leisure Center, home of the agency's administrative offices and a number of programs for preschool, cultural arts and special interest classes. The Community Building owned by the City yet managed by the Park District encompasses a gymnasium and stage, and houses athletic and cultural programs as well as special events. In addition to indoor facilities, the Warrenville Park District manages 32+ acres of open space utilized for active as well as passive pursuits. Warrenville borders include or touch many unique public properties that are frequently used for recreation. Blackwell, McDowell, and Warrenville Grove Forest Preserve, part of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, offers numerous opportunities for fun from camping and fishing to hiking and bird watching. Bordering Warrenville to the West is Fermilab, a Federally owned and maintained research center. Fermilab, too, offer numerous recreational opportunities available to the public. Whether its local, county or federally funded, Warrenville is rich in leisure services and facilities. [Top of Page]

Warrenville offers events and activities for people of all ages and interests. Annual events include the City's Fourth of July Celebration, Warrenville Folk Music Society's Folk Festival,

Warrenville Chamber of Commerce's Classic Car Show and Street Dance, Lions Club/VFW Chicken and Corn Fest, Warrenville Public Library's Art on the Prairie, St. James Farm Steeplechase, Warrenville Park District's Young stars and Park Players Theatre Productions and the Police Department's Citizens Police Academy. [Top of Page]