History
A few miles west of downtown Chicago, Wheaton celebrated its 150th anniversary. This Chicago suburb’s humble beginnings gave way to a rich history of development and growth. From its first-class educational institution, Wheaton College, to the many famous Americans who have called it home, Wheaton’s history illustrates what strategic planning, resolve and a little luck can do.
Wheaton began when three men, Erastus Gary, Jesse Wheaton and his brother Warren, migrated to northeastern Illinois from Connecticut in the 1830s. They claimed large tracts of land in the DuPage area and were soon joined by other New Englanders looking to start new lives in what was then the western frontier of the United States. In 1849, the Wheatons made a strategic decision that would forever change their little community. The Galena and Chicago Union Railroad were planning a line through the area and the Wheatons adroitly offered to donate some of their land to the effort so that they would be close to the trade and travel route. The railroad stop was called the Wheaton stop after the brothers, thus the settlement had its name.
Soon after the railroad arrived, the people of Wheaton began a practice that still defines the city today: they started commuting. In 1859, the village was officially incorporated. Over the next 30 years the population grew steadily, due, in large part, to the easy access the train provided to surrounding communities. In 1860, the Illinois Institute, which had been founded by local Methodists, changed names and became known as Wheaton College, an educational institution which still operates today.
Wheaton became the DuPage County seat in 1867 after a very close referendum to remove the county seat from Naperville. However, the people of Naperville were reluctant to relinquish county records from their courthouse, prompting the famous “midnight raid.” In this late night raid, a group of Wheaton men successfully invaded Naperville’s courthouse and removed the county records. As they were being chased by Naperville citizens on their way back to Wheaton, several of the books fell off a wagon. The Naperville men scooped them up and hid those books in Chicago for safe keeping. Unfortunately, all those volumes were lost in 1871 as the great fire burned its way through the city. Naperville refused to recognize the election that gave Wheaton the county seat and it was several years before the matter was officially settled. Today, Wheaton is proud to be the home of DuPage County government.
Throughout the next century, Wheaton grew as a commuter city, allowing people who worked in Chicago a more desirable, small-town lifestyle. In that time, Wheaton was home to several famous Americans. Comedians John and Jim Belushi both spent their young lives in Wheaton before going on to Hollywood fame. Both attended Wheaton High Schools and the nearby College of DuPage. Horror movie director-extraordinaire, Wes Craven, attended Wheaton College. His famous movie “Nightmare on Elm Street” may have been named for a street in Wheaton. Also, former professional footballer Red Grange spent his early years in Wheaton. Grange led Wheaton High School to an undefeated season his junior year, scoring 36 touchdowns in the process.
For 150 years, the city of Wheaton has stood out as a haven for its inhabitants. What began as a frontier settlement gradually evolved into a commuter’s escape from the big city. Through hard work and perseverance, Wheaton has put itself on the map. Today, it is home to over 55,000, each living a bit of the good life its founders envisioned.
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