Community:  An Introduction

Where History and Progress Meet
Our City Our Communities

The City of West Chicago, home of D94 and most of our classmates, is central to our Community story

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Internet research for the History of West Chicago takes one to numerous websites delivering similar yet varied stories, pictures and general information. Start with the City of West Chicago website for a look at our hometown today.

Move on to the West Chicago City Museum which has over 37,000 items in an extensive collection. Director-Curator Sara Phalen and her staff of volunteers prepare displays that help us recall the city of our youth. The site will take you to  sub-pages for Collections, Research, Exhibitions, Programs, Gift Items and "A Sense of Place" a history blog. The Friends of the City Museum website then builds on the foundation set by the city and museum. Here you'll see some duplication of effort but also a site that expands the story of our town and of the City Museum itself. 

Look at The Kruse House which is overseen by The West Chicago Historical Society to complete this short tour of locally developed history sites.  A four-square home built in 1917 the Kruse House is a treat to visit. Start with the website and make a date to tour.

The Markl Family posted West Chicago "The Friendly City” a converted 1939 16mm film to You Tube. It's linked to by other sites and now here as well.  A few other historical tidbits can be found here at Wikipedia and here at the Chicago Tribune. 

Winfield and Rural DuPage County
full of history and home to many classmates 

Like West Chicago, Winfield had an earlier name, Fredericksburg, and is also tied closely to the developing railroads. Start with The Village of Winfield or DuPage County or Winfield Township. These websites have many links to most of the governmental services now available.

History buffs will want to go immediately to the Winfield Historical Society or the DuPage Historical Society or the History of Winfield Township to begin that journey. All of these sites include stories and links to people and places and events like Hedges Station or Warren and Jesse Wheaton. The book DuPage Roots has much more information on this subject.
We're also closely tied to Kane County and the Fox River valley.  Connect the dots through these sites:
Kane County
          Batavia Historical Society
                   Geneva History Museum
                              St. Charles History Museum 

Which of the above is the Pride of the Fox Valley and which is the City of Energy and which was founded in 1835?

Friends of the West Chicago City Museum have done it again!

Ours is a vibrant community loaded with history and stories of the people and places we recall from personal experience, from family stories or from others that have crossed our path. However, we don't often have a chance to take a closer look at those who arrived and had lasting impact on the development and attractions that drew people to take up residence.  Please visit and enjoy the West Chicago History Museum. The All Aboard: A History of Population Growth in West Chicago article would be an excellent starting point.

West Chicago Makes Fortune ​Top 25 Again!

2024 BEST PLACES TO LIVE FOR FAMILIES!
According to the West Chicago city website, Fortune has once again ranked West Chicago as one of the best places for families to live.  

This year WeGo ranked 20th.  Two years ago, we ranked 9th!
For more info, go to the Fortune website.

Go WeGo!

West Chicago
Makes Fortune
​Top 25!

2022 FORTUNE 25 BEST PLACES TO LIVE FOR FAMILIES!
Barbara Alm Mazzochi found this on a Google search.   We thought it might be of interest to many of you.
While it would be nice to know what criteria was used to narrow this list, the city must be doing several things right to be included.  For more info, go to the Fortune website.

Go WeGo!
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