Near
the southern edge of Cook County, the small town of SouthChicago
Heights grew around the intersection of the Sauk andHubbard
Trails. Both had existed for hundreds of years as majorroutes
for native peoples and early traders. In 1907, residents
in the immediate area joined with commercial interests around
the old intersection and, meeting in the depot of the Chicago
and Eastern Illinois Railroads, voted to become the village
of South Chicago Heights. By 1910, the village had its
own volunteer fire department and its first policeman.
From 1913 into 1928, the original route of the Lincoln
Highway came into the village from the east on Sauk Trail
and then north on Chicago Road. The section along Chicago
Road also was designated as part of the Dixie Highway in
1915. By 1926, this route became Illinois State Route One.
South Chicago Heights was originally home to the thousands
of
Italian, Polish, and German immigrants who worked in Chicago
Heights. Today, it has become an area of newer, more expensive
housing adjacent to the forest preserve land and many
commercial properties that have been developed along Chicago
Road.
For additional information:
Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors
Bureau
2304 173rd Street
Lansing, IL 60438
888-895-8233
www.visitchicagosouthland.com
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