Village of La Grange history

After the destructive floods of 1851-52, citizens of French Bar relocated one mile up stream above the flood plain."

The first settler at La Grange was Eli Dye, who in 1852 located a rancho.

The place was of no importance until the Americans began flocking into the rich diggings of French Bar in August, 1854.

La Grange lost the county seat to Knights Ferry in 1860, an event which ended the great prosperity of the town.

In 1862 he built a wholesale grocery business which became the largest one in Chicago.

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 spurred movement of people westward to the suburbs.

Improvements to the Village began in earnest in 1873 when Franklin Cossitt planted trees, donated property to churches and schools.

Franklin D. Cossitt’s vision of building a quality community began when he bought and developed a large tract of land that was incorporated as the Village of La Grange in 1879.

By 1890 there were 28 retail businesses in the Village, the construction crews had finished the new high school and the following year Lyons Township High School held its first graduation.

The first bank in Lyons Township was organized in 1899.

By 1900 the La Grange Road station had been much improved.

In 1901 the first mail carrier started delivering the mail.

The first automobile in La Grange was purchased by a H. F. Brainard in 1903.

In 1905 the La Grange Citizen started publication as a competitor.

By 1910 automobile were common in La Grange and they came in many forms -- Stanley Steamers, electric cars, roadsters and mass-produced Fords.

Another fire in 1925 burned down the first hospital--the La Grange Sanitarium and Hospital on Cossitt.

Curtis served as temporary police chief until he was relieved by Colonel William Peterson (another post member with military police experience). In early 1926 the Board appointed Fire Chief Henry Pullman to also serve as the police chief.