Wheaton has planned a multitude of events to take place during the next 12 months as its incorporation as a village in 1859 is celebrated.  The Wheaton Sesquicentennial Celebration, July 4, 2008 through July 4, 2009, offers a myriad of activities scheduled for adults, kids and families. But during all theses sesquicentennial festivities there should be a common thread that connects one event to another – that common thread is Wheaton’s history.  The story of Wheaton’s earliest days is a fascinating look at the development and growth of a small town.

It is easy to explain why Wheaton is here and how a community was carved out of the prairie.  Erastus Gary first saw the land that is now Wheaton in 1831 on his travels from Promfret, Connecticut.  On his return to the East coast, Gary convinced two friends in Pomfret, brothers Warren and Jesse Wheaton to join him in Illinois.  The year was 1837 when Warren Wheaton arrived and saw the tall prairie grasses and the lush wetlands of DuPage County and he was soon joined by his brother Jesse.  Once settled, each man purchased land from the government, Warren and Erastus – 640 acres each, Jesse just 160 acres, all at the grand sum of $1.25 per acre.  This wise purchase of fertile ground was their first step toward the future. 

These three founding fathers knew that a train running through Wheaton would create an opportunity for growth and expansion.  When the Wheatons and Gary offered free land to the railroad, the route for the train was changed to run right through the middle of the town.  Originally the farmers in Gretna (a community that no longer exists near the current St. Charles Road) were surprised the railroad was no longer interested in purchasing their land – Warren, Jesse and Erastus had made an offer the railroad couldn’t refuse.  It was 1848 when the railroad hung the sign “Wheaton” on a station that consisted of four poles and a roof.  That’s how Wheaton got its name.  Prior to that Wheaton was called Mud Hole or sometimes Langdon, the name of the Post Master. 

 
These three men understood what was needed to make a home town and their forethought and generosity were apparent in those early days.  After platting the original ten blocks in 1853 (as seen on Historical Markers on the SW corner of Main and Front and the NW corner of Hale and Liberty) they proceeded to offer land for free if promises were made to immediately build a house or a building on the lots.  A community needs people and businesses to grow and prosper.  Erastus, Warren and Jesse understood this, and they created an atmosphere where development was encouraged and rewarded.  Wheaton began to live. 

By the mid 1850s the future was bright for Wheaton, Illinois, a small town that now boasted businesses, residents and a railroad, all made possible by three men who understood what was needed to create a community.  These men had laid the groundwork for further expansion that included schools, local and county government, churches, even a college.  What had once been prairie and marsh land was now Wheaton.

For further information: Jane Rio – 630-871-6601 -  jrio@wheatonhistory.com

Wheaton will launch the beginning of a year-long celebration for its Sesquicentennial Anniversary of its incorporation, Friday, July 4. This city-wide celebration will run from July 4, 2008 to July 4, 2009.

To kick off the Sesquicentennial festivities, Wheaton Park District groups and

City Council members dressed in custom 150^th Anniversary bright lime green T-shirts, will be handing out official bike bottles. Both the T-shirts and bike bottles will sport the City’s Sesquicentennial logo in blue and green colors. The Sesquicentennial T-shirts were donated by Danada Square West Shopping Center.

“Like all events that will happen during the Sesquicentennial year-long celebration,” Mayor Mike Gresk explains, “the Fourth of July event is sponsored by local businesses and executed by volunteers. For example, the Second Baptist Church has volunteered to help the City Council and Park District hand out bike bottles at the parade. The

Sesquicentennial is a true grass-roots effort.”

The bike bottles were donated by two “health conscious” companies who encourage us to stay hydrated during the Fourth of July holiday—OAD Orthopaedics and Seattle Sutton Healthy Meals.

The City also hopes these bike bottles will encourage residents to conserve our natural resources by re-using these plastic bottles instead of throw-away cups for their beverages during the hot summer months.

Inside the bike bottles, parade recipients will find a flyer with a message explaining the Sesquicentennial and a coupon offer from each sponsor.

The Sesquicentennial logo that will be imprinted on banners, T-shirts, flyers, bike bottles and handouts was designed by Sales Solutions, a local full-service sales promotion agency.

All Sesquicentennial events and programs are listed on the Web site, www.wheaton.il.us/150. Citizens can also submit event ideas and volunteer their efforts for the Sesquicentennial by submitting their information on the website.

Golfers played a great round of golf on a beautiful blue-sky day at the 37th Annual Golf Outing.  Over 100 golfers putted around the Klein Creek Golf Course and enjoyed games, drinks and massages while networking with their fellow members of the Wheaton Chamber. 

The day started with a tasty lunch from Butterfield’s Pancake House and Restaurant, then the golfers made their way to their carts for a shot-gun start.  While making the rounds, participants had the opportunity to enjoy refreshments at different holes from Alberto’s/Fitzgerald-Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Carol Stream, Brian’s Charhouse, Muldoon’s Irish Pub, Panera Bread and The Bank Restaurant.  They also had the chance to test their skills by “challenging the pro” from Vulcan Golf.   After wearing-out their arms the golfers took a quick break and enjoy a massage from Zazu at hole 15.

The day wrapped up with a delicious BBQ dinner and the announcement of the winners of the day and the “most honest team”.  Everyone had an opportunity to take part in the raffle to win some amazing prizes that were donated by Accurate Document Destruction, AMCORE Bank, Amlings Flowerland, Cellar Bistro Restaurant, Danby’s Station Restaurant, Egg’lectic Cafe, Egg Harbor Cafe, Farmers Insurance Group-Mike Semprevivo, FASTSIGNS of Wheaton, Fasttek On-Site Computer Services, Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream, Klein Creek Golf Course, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Massage Envy, Muldoon’s Irish Pub, Pheasant Run Resort, Radiance MedSpa, RentalMax, Conrad Stoll-Optometrist, Shane’s Deli, The Theosophical Society, Vulcan Golf, Wheaton Barber Shop, Wheaton Park District and Wheaton Sport Center. 

The entire event was a great success and the Chamber team would like to thank everyone for their support and participation.  We would like to extend a special thank you to Mike Hurley, Mike Semprevivo and the Golf Outing Committee for all of their hard work.  We look forward to seeing everyone at Steak Fry.

37th Annual Golf Outing Results
1st Place with a score of 58
Chip Barber, Scott Weller & First Choice Bank
2nd Place with a score of 59
Mike Benard, Andy Bendy, Terry Mee & Dave Blankenship
3rd Place with a score of 60
Mike Hurley, Mike Semprevivo & Gary Hansberger
“Most Honest Team”
Matthew Schwerin, Rick Tampier, Joanne Gardner & Jack Diehl
Closest to the Pin, Ladies – Dawn S.
Closest to the Pin, Men – Bob Hutchinson
Longest Drive, Ladies – Denise Hall
Longest Drive, Men – Andy Bendy

What is the most fun event that the Wheaton Chamber has during the month of July?  Steak Fry of course!  Join us for an evening of cocktails, dinner, raffle and a couple of rounds of trivia.

We will be starting off the evening with cocktails such as the Mongolian Margarita courtesy of Genghis Grill.  Steaks and chicken will be grilled to perfection by Glenn Keller and team along with plenty of satisfying sides.

Our raffle is always exciting and we already have some amazing prizes to give away.  The only way to win is to be there!  The trivia will be the most entertaining part of the evening.  Each table will have a booklet with six rounds of trivia and the table with the most correct answers will win a wonderful prize and bragging rights for the next year!

For more information about Steak Fry and to reserve your spot, click HERE or call the Chamber office at (630) 668-6464.

Wheaton’s Fourth of July Parade will mark the beginning of a yearlong celebration of Wheaton’s 150^th anniversary. With the theme “Remembering Yesterday,” the parade will reflect the theme of Wheaton’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, which is “Celebrate Wheaton, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” Parade floats and costumes will illustrate Wheaton’s rich history. See page 3 for more information about the parade.

Wheaton was officially incorporated on Feb. 24, 1859, which makes Feb. 24, 2009, the 150^th anniversary of its incorporation. The City created the Sesquicentennial Commission, which is comprised of community volunteers, to plan events for this milestone.

Volunteers will be needed for many of the events that are being planned for the yearlong celebration. The City’s website will provide more information about volunteer opportunities and events as it becomes available at www.wheaton.il.us/150.