West Chicago’s journey from a modest railroad junction to a thriving manufacturing center reflects the town’s strategic use of its location, proactive leadership, and infrastructure development. With roots deeply tied to the railroads, the town evolved into an industrial powerhouse, attracting businesses across various sectors and ensuring sustained growth for its community.
Early Industrial Foundations: A Railroad-Focused Economy
The Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW), originally the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, laid the groundwork for West Chicago’s early economy. As the railroad expanded, it brought with it industries that relied heavily on rail transportation.
By the late 1860s, the C&NW had established a substantial brick depot and a major roundhouse in West Chicago.
The railroad’s repair and maintenance facilities provided stable employment for much of the town’s workforce.
Early industries like the Turner Brick Co. and Turner Cabinet Co. set up operations along the tracks, benefiting from easy access to transportation networks.
These developments cemented West Chicago’s identity as a railroad town, with its economy closely tied to the rail industry.
The EJ&E Railway: A Catalyst for Industrial Expansion
The arrival of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E) in 1888 marked a turning point for West Chicago. Known as the Outer Belt Line, the EJ&E connected outlying Chicago communities, facilitating the efficient transportation of goods.
The EJ&E’s strategy of offering free factory sites along its right-of-way attracted numerous industries to West Chicago including West Chicago Sash and Door and Hook and Stimmel.
Local developers seized the opportunity, branding the town as "Chicago’s Coming Great Manufacturing Suburb" and emphasizing its “unequalled shipping facilities.”
The influx of new industries created a ripple effect, increasing demand for housing, stores, and services and further driving the town’s growth.
Voll’s Block on the corner of what is now Main and Washington Streets, once housed dry good and hardware stores in early Turner
Diversification: Expanding Beyond Railroad Roots
As West Chicago grew, its industrial base diversified, moving beyond its railroad-focused beginnings to attract a variety of industries:
Borden’s Milk Condensing Plant (circa 1906) leveraged the town’s proximity to dairy farms and strong rail connections, transitioning over the years into a pickle factory and eventually the Jel Sert Company, a producer of dessert mixes and frozen treats.
Ball Horticultural opened in West Chicago in 1927 when George Ball relocated here from Glen Ellyn. Ball would push for fresh flowers to be flown into his gardens, leading to the creation of the DuPage Airport.
Campbell Soup Mushroom Farm opened on the north side of town in 1947, also known as Prince Crossing Farm, just south of Hawthorne Lane on Prince Crossing Road in West Chicago. This was the first and most profitable of Campbell’s eight mushroom farms. Campbell Soup holds the distinction of being the longest operating company town in the state of Illinois and for much of its history exclusively used Mexican immigrant labor, bringing many immigrants to help grow our diverse community.
General Mills established a facility in 1959, taking over a former Admiral Co. plant. This facility became General Mills’ largest production center for packaged foods. General Mills closed its West Chicago location in 2015.
Northwestern Chemical Co., a subsidiary of the Wrigley Company, brought further industrial diversity in the 1950s.
The Pickle Factory in 1939, now the home of Jel Sert
Despite some setbacks, such as the relocation of the Union Tool Co. foundry to Ohio, West Chicago continued to attract and retain businesses, ensuring sustained industrial growth.
Lindsay Light & Company factory that took over the former Union Tool site. Lindsay Light & Company, later Kerr McGee highlights the negative impacts industry can have on a community as their time in West Chicago resulted in environmental contamination with community-wide cleanup started in the 1980s and a later class action lawsuit.
Industrial Parks and Continued Expansion
The development of industrial parks played a critical role in West Chicago’s ongoing economic success. These parks provided space and infrastructure for a wide variety of businesses.
The Western Electric Plant operated within one of these parks, symbolizing the town’s ability to attract major companies.
The Bowling Green Industrial Park contributed to the town’s economic diversification, hosting a range of businesses and fostering steady job creation.
A Legacy of Industry
West Chicago’s industrial success is intertwined with its enduring relationship with the railroads. In 1981, the C&NW established its Illinois division headquarters on the site of the old roundhouse, a symbolic return to the town where its roots had been planted. Now the West Chicago location of the Union Pacific, after its acquisition of the C&NW, this former roundhouse was the space that Big Boy was located when he made a record breaking stop in West Chicago in 2019.
The rise of industry in West Chicago showcases the transformation of a small railroad settlement into a manufacturing hub. The town’s strategic location, proactive leadership, and investment in infrastructure improvements made it a beacon for industries seeking efficient distribution networks and a supportive business environment.
Today, West Chicago remains a vital center for both railroads and manufacturing, highlighted by its robust industrial parks on its western edges. This base reflects its legacy as a town that built its future on innovation, adaptability, and community-driven growth. Visit the museum to explore the stories of the industries and individuals that shaped West Chicago’s journey from tracks to factories.