Lemont, Illinois
Lemont, Illinois | ||
---|---|---|
Village | ||
Etymology: From French for "The Mount" | ||
Motto(s): Village of Faith,
Enjoy Our Scene! | ||
ZIP Code(s) 60439, 60490 | ||
Area codes | 630/331 | |
FIPS code | 17-42795 | |
Wikimedia Commons | Lemont, Illinois | |
Website | lemont |
Lemont is a village located in
History
This section needs additional citations for verification. (September 2013) |
Before European settlers arrived in Lemont, Native Americans traveled the Des Plaines River in birch bark canoes on trading trips between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan. The native Potawatomi lived off the land in this area, directly using natural resources for food, shelter, clothing and medicine. In the 18th century, French voyageurs traveled down the Des Plaines River, trading Native Americans metal, beads and cloth for animal furs.
Lemont was originally known as Keepataw (after a Potawatomi chief) and a post office was established in 1840 as Keepatau. After that, it was named Athens and then Palmyra. The name Lemont (literally, 'the mountain' in French) was chosen in 1850 at the suggestion of Lemuel Brown, the postmaster and justice of the peace, or perhaps by his brother Nathaniel Brown.[3]
Established in 1836, the village of Lemont stands as one of the oldest American communities in northeastern Illinois. It is historically significant for its role in transforming the northern region of the state from a sparsely settled frontier to a commercial, agricultural, and industrial region that supplied Chicago and areas beyond with commodities. Lemont is also unique in boasting an authentic historic district that remains intact and has been continually used since the 19th century. In 2016, the Lemont Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]
Both Lemont's history and architectural uniqueness connect to the Illinois and Michigan Canal (I&M Canal). Construction of the I&M Canal began in 1837 and stands as one of the last major canal undertakings in the United States (the Hennepin Canal opened in 1907). When it was completed in 1848, it provided a continuous waterway stretching from New York (through the Erie Canal, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan to Chicago, then through the I&M Canal for 97 miles (156 km) entering the Illinois River at LaSalle, Illinois, to the Mississippi River, to New Orleans) to the Gulf of Mexico.
Immigrant workers, mostly Irish, settled in Lemont to work on the canal and later moved along the corridor of the canal, improving farms within the many communities that sprang up along it.
In digging, workers discovered Lemont yellow
Cargo and passengers were transported on the I&M until the early 20th century, when the wider, deeper Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal was built parallel to it. The Sanitary Canal is still used today as part of the Illinois Waterway system.
Lemont's motto is "Village of Faith", and its church spires reflect the many ethnic groups who came here to quarry stone, dig the Sanitary and Ship Canal and work in other industries.
Lemont is credited with being the largest recruiting station for the Union Army during the American Civil War, and the Old Stone Church, built in 1861 of limestone, was used as a recruiting depot. It served as the Lemont Methodist Episcopal Church for 100 years, from 1861 until 1970, when it became home to the Lemont Area Historical Society. The oldest building in Lemont, it now serves as a museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
During the Civil War, Lemont was required to sign up 33 soldiers, the village recruited 293 soldiers; only 63 returned. The Lemont Civil War Memorial Committee was formed to build a memorial to honor Lemont's Civil War veterans. The monument was dedicated in 2008 in Legion Park at the east end of Main Street, opposite the Metra Station. Of the 293 soldiers sent to fight in the war, only 243 names of the enlisted soldiers are known. Among them is Cpl. John Warden, the only Lemont resident ever awarded the Medal of Honor.[8]
By 1854, railroads transported goods faster than water, and the I&M became obsolete as Lemont evolved into a railroad community; the village was incorporated on June 9, 1873.[9]
Increasingly, the canal was used to carry wastes away from Chicago. In 1900, the larger Sanitary and Ship Canal went into operation, carrying both wastes and larger, more modern barges. All use of the I&M Canal ended in 1933, with the opening of the canal's modern successor - the Illinois Waterway.
By about 1920, the quarries declined as styles changed and builders began to use Bedford limestone from Indiana and less expensive materials like concrete.
During World War II, the Metallurgical Laboratory of the University of Chicago moved into the nearby Argonne Forest preserves to carry out Enrico Fermi's work on nuclear reactors for the Manhattan Project. After the war, Argonne National Laboratory was designated as the first national laboratory in the United States on July 1, 1946.[10]
In 1984, President
Tornadoes
On June 13, 1976, at 5:18 PM, a killer tornado struck Lemont and took three lives. 23 were injured, 87 homes were destroyed and 82 more were damaged. Damage to the high school alone was estimated at $500,000 (equivalent to $2,680,000 in 2023[11]). Many people reported watching neighbors' homes explode, implode, shattering before their eyes. Cited as an unusual tornado, it backed up on its path before heading North, somewhat parallel to its path of origin.[12][13][14] See Tornadoes of 1976 for more information on the outbreak.
On March 27, 1991, Lemont was again hit by a tornado.[15] See Tornadoes of 1991 for more information on the outbreak.
Geography
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Lemont has a total area of 8.74 square miles (22.64 km2), of which 8.37 square miles (21.68 km2) (or 95.71%) is land and 0.38 square miles (0.98 km2) (or 4.29%) is water.[16]
The village has 10 exclaves[why?].
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 2,108 | — | |
1900 | 2,449 | — | |
1910 | 2,284 | −6.7% | |
1920 | 2,322 | 1.7% | |
1930 | 2,582 | 11.2% | |
1940 | 2,557 | −1.0% | |
1950 | 2,757 | 7.8% | |
1960 | 3,397 | 23.2% | |
1970 | 5,080 | 49.5% | |
1980 | 5,640 | 11.0% | |
1990 | 7,348 | 30.3% | |
2000 | 13,098 | 78.3% | |
2010 | 16,000 | 22.2% | |
2020 | 17,629 | 10.2% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[17] 2010[18] 2020[19] |
As of the
There were 5,911 households, out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.64% were married couples living together, 7.58% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.08% were non-families. 18.74% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.06% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.27 and the average family size was 2.85.
The village's age distribution consisted of 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $114,509, and the median income for a family was $133,456. Males had a median income of $75,542 versus $43,283 for females. The
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH)
|
14,719 | 15,370 | 91.99% | 87.19% |
Black or African American alone (NH)
|
58 | 147 | 0.36% | 0.83% |
Alaska Native alone (NH)
|
9 | 2 | 0.06% | 0.01% |
Asian alone (NH) | 258 | 422 | 1.61% | 2.39% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 2 | 6 | 0.01% | 0.03% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 4 | 23 | 0.03% | 0.13% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 128 | 404 | 0.80% | 2.29% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 822 | 1,255 | 5.14% | 7.12% |
Total | 16,000 | 17,629 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Sports
In 2006, the Lemont Little League All-Star team traveled to the 60th Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The team, which represented the Great Lakes region, received 4th place after losing to the Beaverton, Oregon, team and was the only team to beat the champions from Georgia. Upon returning home, the Lemont team received a parade down State Street in honor of their achievements.
The
In 2008, the girls 11-year-old Lemont Little League All-Star team traveled to Beardstown, Illinois, for the state tournament and won the state title.
In 2009, a new group of 11-year-old All-Stars from Lemont won the State Championship for a second consecutive year.
The Lemont High School varsity cheerleading team placed first at the IHSA State Championships in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2017.
In 2020, the Lemont High School wrestling program won the 2020 IHSA Class 2A Dual Team State Championship and set a school record for wins.[21]
Education
Three National Blue Ribbon Schools are located in Lemont, recognized by the US Department of Education for excellence in student achievement. Lemont High School received the Blue Ribbon award in 2017.[22] Saints Cyril and Methodius School received the Blue Ribbon award in 2019.[23]
Public schools in Lemont include:[24]
- River Valley Elementary School
- Oakwood Elementary School
- Central School
- Old Quarry Middle School
- Lemont High School
Private/Parochial Schools
- St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick[25]
- SS. Cyril & Methodius:[26]
- Everest Academy[27]
- Montessori School of Lemont[28]
- Žiburėlis Lithuanian Montessori School
- Polska Szkoła Jana Pawła II Polish School
Media
Productions filmed in Lemont include:
- Save the Last Dance
- The Hunter (1980)
- Straight Talk (1992)
- Children on Their Birthdays (2002)
- Witless Protection
- Chain Reaction (1996)
Infrastructure
Transportation
Lemont has a
In 2007, the Interstate 355 tollway extension opened, providing Lemont with more direct access to the Chicago expressway system. An interchange is located on 127th Street.
Notable people
- Diablo Cody, writer of the film Juno, raised in Lemont.[29]
- Scott Darling, goaltender for Carolina Hurricanes
- Clayton Fejedelem, safety for the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals.
- Coby Fleener, former tight end for the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, born in Lemont.
- Garrett Gilkey, former NFL offensive lineman, born in Lemont.
- Steve Grand, country/rock singer. He was a childhood resident of Lemont.[30]
- 2015 MLB Draft.
- Michael Katzban, state legislator in Wisconsin, born in Lemont.
- David Molk, former center for the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers.
- Jerry Taft, weathercaster for ABC 7 news in Chicago.[31]
- Christian Vande Velde, cyclist, the fourth place 2008 Tour de France finisher, born in Lemont.
- Marius Katiliškis, prominent Lithuanian exile novelist.
Notes
- ^ The US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Lemont village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ Callary, Edward. 2009. Place Names of Illinois. Champaign: University of Illinois Press, p. 197.
- ^ "Lemont Downtown Historic District". www.nps.gov. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower". City of Chicago - Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
- ^ Schapper, Ferdinand (1917). Southern Cook County and History of Blue Island before the Civil War. Manuscript. p. 103.
- ^ "Stock Quote". The Chicago Daily Tribune: 3. January 1, 1859.
- ^ Sauder, Erin. "5 Things to Know: Civil War Memorial". www.mysuburbanlife.com. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- ^ Illinois Regional Archives Depository System. "Name Index to Illinois Local Governments". Illinois State Archives. Illinois Secretary of State. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- ^ Holl, Hewlett, and Harris, page xx (Introduction).
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "1976 Tornado". lemonthistorical.org. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
- ^ "June 13, 1976 Tornadoes". Tornado History Projects. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
- ^ June 13, 1976 Lemont Tornado, NWS Chicago, retrieved February 20, 2023
- ^ "1991 Tornado". lemonthistorical.org. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
- ^ "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- US Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lemont village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lemont village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- ^ "Lemont Wrestling Team Wins 2020 IHSA Class 2A State Championship". Lemont, IL Patch. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "NBRS Lemont High School of Lemont, IL". National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "NBRS Saints Cyril and Methodius School of Lemont, IL". National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "Welcome to Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A in Lemont, IL". www.sd113a.org.
- ^ "St. Alphonsus Saint Patrick School - Home". www.stals-stpats.org.
- ^ "SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish".
- ^ "Everest Academy". Everest Academy.
- ^ "Montessori of Lemont | for all the little reasons..."
- ^ Schaults, Janine (December 9, 2007). "From Lemont to Hollywood, with a pole dance in between". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- ^ Virtel, Louis (July 8, 2013). "TheBacklot Interview: "All-American Boy" Steve Grand". TheBacklot.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
- ^ Luevano, Amanda (August 3, 2012). "ABC Meteorologist Jerry Taft Talks Weather, Military Service with Lemont Rotary Club". Patch. Retrieved July 23, 2020.