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Our History<br />
New Lenox was originally home to Native Americans, oak, hickory and<br />
butternut tree savannahs. Wildflowers filled the woods that surrounded<br />
Hickory Creek. The first settlers who came to the area made their homes<br />
at Gouger Crossing, now Gouger Road and<br />
Route 30. Settlers followed the Kankakee and<br />
Des Plaines Rivers to Hickory Creek. The original<br />
name of the community was Van Horne Point.<br />
The Village was platted in 1858 including the<br />
area between Cedar Road and the campgrounds<br />
(now the United Methodist Church property)<br />
and from Hickory Creek to Walnut Street (now<br />
Haven Avenue).<br />
Prior to that in 1852, the Township was established<br />
after the building of the Rock Island railroad line<br />
connecting Chicago and Rock Island and named<br />
New Lenox after Lenox, New York (the hometown<br />
of the first Township Supervisor, J. Van Duser).<br />
In 1863 the settlement was also officially named<br />
New Lenox, but it was not until 1946 that the<br />
Village was actually incorporated. Since that time,<br />
New Lenox has experienced substantial growth<br />
and development. The rich soil which drew the settlers is being converted<br />
from farming to residential and commercial development. The remaining<br />
farms are a reminder of the agricultural roots of the area.<br />
New Lenox Historical Society<br />
While history is the story, it is the New Lenox Historical Society that<br />
works diligently to bring the story to life by collecting memories and<br />
treasures from the past for future enjoyment. Officially formed in 1986<br />
to preserve photographs and documents, the real work began in 1998<br />
with a community wide effort to save Schmuhl School, the last remaining<br />
one-room schoolhouse in the Township. The school was moved from the<br />
south side of Route 30 and Schoolhouse Road to its current location on<br />
the north side of the same intersection. It sits in Hickory Creek Barrens<br />
Forest Preserve and has been designated an official landmark of Will<br />
County. Now restored, Schmuhl gives visitors an experience that children<br />
a century ago lived. The Historical Society encourages you to get involved<br />
and become part of their mission to preserve our collective history.<br />
Please visit www.newlenoxhistory.org to learn more about other Will County<br />
Landmarks, area history and The New Lenox Area Historical Society. Be<br />
sure to “like” us on Facebook for updates on monthly meetings, open<br />
houses and other events!<br />
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<strong>2018</strong>-2019 Community resource guide | NewLenoxChamber.com 7
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