John B. Turner helped shape the early community that would become West Chicago. As the president of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (G&CU), Turner took his experience in railroads in the eastern United States, to form the infrastructure of our railroad town.
John B. Turner
A Visionary Leader
Born in New York in 1799, Turner brought a wealth of experience in railroad and canal construction with him when he moved to Chicago in 1843. Just a few years later, in 1847, he became acting director of the G&CU, Illinois’s first railroad. Turner’s foresight was evident early on—he acquired a large tract of land in 1848, strategically located where expanding railroad tracks would meet. This land would become the future site of West Chicago.
Building the Town of Junction
Coachyards along today’s W. Washington Street
By 1855, the railroad was drawing more people to the area, and Turner saw the opportunity to formalize the settlement. He platted the Town of Junction, marking the official beginning of urban development, although he himself never lived here. True to his roots in railroads, Turner named streets after key destinations on the G&CU line: Chicago, Fulton, and Galena. These names not only honored the railroad’s role but also provided a sense of direction for the growing town.
A Champion of Community
Turner wasn’t just a businessman—he was deeply committed to the town’s growth and well-being. Even before the town was officially platted, Turner made it possible that a schoolhouse was built on his land in 1851. That simple building became a vital center for both education and religious gatherings, later deeded to the Congregationalists.
But Turner didn’t stop there. In 1857, he donated land for what became the North Side School, ensuring the town’s children had access to education as the population grew. One story that speaks volumes about Turner’s character is his sale of a lot on Main Street to a widow with eight children—for just one cent. This act of kindness reflects the compassion that defined his leadership.
North Side School, today the site of the West Chicago Fire Protection District
A Lasting Legacy
Turner Town Hall built in 1884, which would later become home to the West Chicago City Museum.
Turner’s impact endured long after his time. In 1857, Dr. Joseph McConnell named the area he platted north of the Town of Junction the Town of Turner, honoring Turner’s contributions. While the town’s name officially changed to West Chicago in 1896, Turner’s influence is still evident today.
Two streets and an elementary school in West Chicago bear his name, a testament to his role in shaping the community. From his thoughtful planning to his acts of generosity, Turner laid the foundation for a thriving town that grew from a small railroad junction into a vibrant city.