History Lemont, Illinois

before white settlers arrived in lemont, native americans traveled des plaines river in birch bark canoes on trading trips between mississippi river , lake michigan. native potawatomi lived off land in area, directly using natural resources food, shelter, clothing , medicine. in 18th century, french voyageurs traveled down des plaines river, trading native americans metal, beads , cloth animal furs , changing native american lifestyle forever.

established in 1836 william elenteny, village of lemont stands 1 of oldest american communities in northeastern illinois. historically significant role in transforming northern region of state sparsely settled frontier commercial, agricultural, , industrial region supplied chicago , areas beyond commodities. lemont unique in boasting authentic historic district remains intact , has been continually used since 19th century.

both lemont s history , architectural uniqueness connect illinois , michigan canal (i&m canal). construction of i&m canal began in 1837 , stands 1 of last major canal undertakings in united states (the hennepin canal opened in 1907). when completed in 1848, provided continuous waterway stretching new york (through erie canal, lake erie, lake huron , lake michigan chicago, through i&m canal 97 miles (156 km) entering illinois river @ lasalle, illinois, mississippi river, new orleans) gulf of mexico.

immigrant workers, irish, settled in lemont work on canal , later moved along corridor of canal, improving farms within many communities sprang along it. part responsible many lemont brothels during time.

in digging, workers discovered lemont yellow dolomite, harder , finer grained version of limestone. delayed digging of canal, start of area s second industry, quarrying. mid-19th century, limestone quarrying took on main economic factor in lemont , sustained growth. town s important major buildings faced lemont limestone, abundant in local quarries. today, 38 of buildings remain lemont downtown district. lemont limestone used build chicago water tower, building gained special significance 1 of few buildings survive destructive path of great chicago fire of 1871 . in years, stone known athens marble nod place of origin. 1859 item in chicago daily tribune had say: “the athens , desplaines quarries, situated on illinois , michigan canal, embrace 335 acres of finest stone in west, known “athens marble”. stone has high reputation color, durability , beauty, renders quite article of commerce”.

cargo , passengers transported on i&m until 20th century, when wider, deeper chicago sanitary , ship canal built parallel it. sanitary canal still used today part of illinois waterway system.

lemont s motto village of faith , , church spires reflect many ethnic groups came here quarry stone, dig sanitary , ship canal , work in other industries.

lemont credited being largest recruiting station union army during american civil war, , old stone church, built in 1861 of limestone, used recruiting depot. served lemont methodist episcopal church 100 years, 1861 until 1970, when became home lemont area historical society. oldest building in lemont, serves museum , listed on national register of historic places.

during civil war, lemont required sign 33 soldiers, village recruited 293 soldiers; 63 returned. lemont civil war memorial committee has formed build statue in memorial park honor lemont s civil war veterans.

by 1854, railroads transported goods faster water, , i&m became obsolete lemont evolved railroad community; village incorporated on june 9, 1873.

increasingly, canal used carry wastes away chicago. in 1900, larger sanitary , ship canal went operation, carrying both wastes , larger, more modern barges. use of i&m canal ended in 1933, opening of canal s modern successor - illinois waterway.

by 1920, quarries declined styles changed , builders began use bedford limestone indiana , less expensive materials concrete.

in 1984, president ronald reagan signed legislation establishing illinois & michigan canal national heritage corridor nation s first national heritage corridor. status recognizes historic importance of region , waterway connected lake michigan , illinois river. today, 100-mile-long (160 km) cultural park between chicago , lasalle/peru, representing ongoing partnership between public , private sectors created achieve successful mixture of preservation, public use , industrial activity.

lemont home argonne national laboratory. sacred architecture strong suit of lemont, skyline dominated 2 landmark religious edifices: hindu temple of greater chicago , ss. cyril , methodius church in polish cathedral style. interestingly enough, both situated on sides of hills, giving more dramatic backdrop monumental architecture.

tornadoes

on june 13, 1976, few minutes after 5:00 pm, killer tornado struck lemont , took 3 lives. 23 injured, 87 homes destroyed , 82 more damaged. damage high school alone estimated @ $500,000. many people reported watching neighbors homes explode, implode, shattering before eyes. cited unusual tornado, backed on path before heading north, parallel path of origin.

on same day, f5 had laid ruins jordan, iowa, 250 miles (400 km) away.

on march 27, 1991, lemont again hit tornado.