Diversity Shines in Bolingbrook

DIVERSITY SHINES IN BOLINGBROOK

Bolingbrook is the second most diverse community in Illinois.

The first families who moved to Bolingbrook in the 1960s had never heard of Bolingbrook. Prior to development, this area was farmland dating back to the 1830's. Bolingbrook’s first unincorporated subdivision was known as Westbury. The houses were priced as low as $10,000. Today, houses here sell from $140,000 up to over $2 million. Bolingbrook is known for having some of the best parks and library in the nation.

The interstate highway system had a profound influence on the development of the village. In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act. This legislation included replacing U. S. Route 66 just south of Bolingbrook with Interstate 55. The opening of Interstate 55 in the early 1960s made the farm fields of Bolingbrook more accessible to Chicago, attracting developers and residents. Incorporated in 1965, in less than ten years Bolingbrook grew from thinly settled farmland to the second-largest community in Will County after Joliet.

Agricultural ways of life also contributed to the growth of Bolingbrook. Due to all of the growth,Bolingbrook needed a new village hall large enough to accommodate its residents, the elected officials and staff. In 1972, a new Village Hall was constructed on East Boughton Road.

The need for additional schools also increased. The newly created School District 365U built more schools and implemented a 45/15 year round school year to accommodate the increased student population.

Inclusion of community and residents is one of many ways the village promoted its diversity. Every subdivision is a representation of various ethnicities and cultures. An informal verbal survey indicates that peoplechose tomove to Bolingbrook because of socioeconomics, convenienceof transportation andacceptance of various ethnicities without judgment. Some stated that Bolingbrook is a “dream land to live in.” This is evidenced by many festivals organized by different ethnic groups including but not limited to the Annual Village Picnic, the Pathways Parade, Juneteenth, Pakistani Fest, Piyesta Pinoy, Taste of Bolingbrook, Family Fest, International Fest, Joy Fest and El Grito honoring Mexican Independence Day.

The Village also formed different commissions to promote and encourage active participation and involvement of its residents and community. The Bolingbrook Historic Preservation Commission (BHPC) is one such commission. This commission is a true representation of Bolingbrook’s diversity. The commission consists of twenty commissioners who are of different ethnicity, educational, and professional backgrounds. Some commissioners are newcomers to Bolingbrook while others are longtime residents. One focus of BHPC is to raise awareness of our village’s diversity from a historical standpoint.

BHPC is working diligently to educate and engage a wider audience of the community by sharing contents on social media and local news media. Bolingbrook Historical Museum at 444 E. Briarcliff Road provides tours on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and by appointment.

BHPC also participates and assists in many events promoting Bolingbrook’s history and diversity. For further information, questions or to donate historic artifacts for display at the museum contact (630) 226-8400 or bbhistpresscomm@yahoo.com

Visit their website at BolingbrookHistPresComm.org

Article submitted by Bolingbrook Historical Preservation Commission.