| New Lenox, Illinois was first settled in the late
1820's, in the area of Gouger crossing ( Route 30 and Gouger Road ) and it
was called VanHorne Point. New Lenox Township was established when Will
County was created in 1852 with the building of the Rock Island Railroad
between Chicago and Rock Island, Illinois. Originally named Tracey in honor
of the general superintendent of the Rock Island Railroad. Mr. Tracy later
requested that the community be renamed New Lenox after the Township which
was named after Lenox, New York.
The Village of New Lenox wasn't officially created until October 4,
1946. In 1945 and 46 community leaders, F. Carlton Cole, Walter Baers and
others reasoned that the community should be incorporated. Recognizing the
benefits and the potential growth of the area, a community vote in the
spring of 1946 resulted in the authorization for the creation of the Village
of New Lenox. On October 4, 1946, the State of Illinois officially certified
that the Village of New Lenox was legally organized and incorporated as a
Village in the State of Illinois. |
