The story of the West Chicago Post Office is as dynamic as the town it serves. From its origins in a settler’s home to its current location, the post office has grown and adapted alongside the community, evolving from a simple mail hub into an integral part of daily life in West Chicago.

Beginnings in West DuPage

Before West Chicago had its own post office, early settlers relied on the West DuPage office, established on December 9, 1845, in Wayne Township. Robert Y. Benjamin, the first postmaster, ran the office from his home. In 1850, his brother-in-law, Giles Billings, took over, relocating the office to his country tavern along the old St. Charles Road.

Life changed dramatically with the arrival of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad in 1849. As the town of Junction grew around the railroad, the need for a local post office became clear. By April 19, 1850, the West DuPage office was discontinued, and James H. Dole became the first postmaster of the newly established Junction Post Office.

The Turner Era

As the town expanded, so did its identity. Around 1856, residents petitioned for a name change, and the post office became known as Turner, reflecting the town’s growing connection to Dr. Joseph McConnell’s platting of the Town of Turner. This name also honored John B. Turner, president of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad.

In these early years, the post office wasn’t tied to a single building. Instead, it moved with its postmasters, often housed in their businesses. For a time, it operated from Charles Clark’s lumber office and even served as a meeting place for Winfield Township officials during the Civil War and the Turner board of trustees in later years.

A Growing Town, A Growing Post Office

By 1898, the post office had moved to the newly built Spielman building on Main Street, under Postmaster John Creager. This marked a shift toward a more permanent and centralized postal operation.

Postmaster John Creager at 32 Depot Street (today 104 Main Street)

As the 20th century began, the post office expanded its services to meet the needs of the growing community:

1905: Four rural routes were established, connecting the surrounding countryside to West Chicago.
1917: Local delivery service began with two carriers, bringing mail directly to residents’ doors.
1927: The post office achieved second-class status, adding a third carrier and offering parcel post service.

The post office continued to move to accommodate its growth, relocating from 32 Depot Street in the 1920s to 212 Main Street in 1940, and eventually to 111 Fremont Street. Finally, it settled into its location in the remodeled Krumpholz building at 131 Fremont Street before the current building was built on 1130 W. Washington Street.