Village Of Lemont Celebrates 150 Years Of Incorporation

LEMONT, IL — Founded in 1836, and incorporated in 1873, the Village of Lemont is celebrating its 150th anniversary of incorporation throughout 2023.

On June 9, 1873, an election was held to decide whether the citizens should organize the territory as a village. The result was passed overwhelmingly to form a village organization, according to a news release from the Village.

Village officers were elected on Aug. 5, 1873, and the first Board of Trustees meeting was on Aug. 9. According to the Village, the original officers were Joel A. Wells, President; Stephen Keough, Nicholas New, Dr. Wm P. Pierce, Daniel B. Murphy and John H. Tedens, Village Trustees; George D. Plant, Village Clerk; S. W. Norton, Treasurer; John T. Derby, Corporation Counsel; A. C. Underwood, Village Constable; James Barrett, Street Commissioner.

The 150th Anniversary Committee has been meeting to plan celebrations that showcase Lemont's community pride, abundant history as a canal and quarry town and the people that built the Village, according to a news release.

The main celebration of incorporation will be held June 10, with an old-fashioned street fair on Front Street with family-friendly activities and cultural flare.

"Lemont has a lot to celebrate in 2023, and in spanning 150 years of evolvement, we continue to be the best town around. We invite the community to join us as we honor this milestone in Lemont’s history and celebrate our robust past," Mayor John Egofske said in a release.

The committee is also planning tours, historic programs, memorabilia for purchase, historic social posts and other activities and celebrations. The committee is made up of taxing partners and organizations that host most of the events and planned programs in the village.

Residents can also take a survey to provide input on plans for the year-long celebration.