Wayne Village Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wayne Village Historic District
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Irregular pattern along Army Trail Rd. Wayne, DuPage County, Illinois, U.S. |
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| NRHP reference No. | 78003106 |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1978 |
The Wayne Village Historic District is a special collection of fifty-three historic buildings in Wayne, Illinois. These buildings help us understand the history of the village and how it developed over many years. The district was added to a list of important places in 1978.
Contents
Exploring Wayne's Past
The story of Wayne began in 1835 when a man named Solomon Dunham arrived. He was the first settler in the area. When the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad came to the village in 1850, Solomon saw a great chance to help Wayne grow. He quickly built an inn and a store right by the train station.
The Famous Horse Company
Solomon's son, Mark Dunham, later worked with other farmers in the area. Together, they built many stables and started a business called the Fletcher Norman Horse Company. This company became very well-known for breeding special horses called Percherons. These horses were strong and popular.
Village Life and Growth
As the village grew, the first church in Wayne was built in 1871. By the mid-1870s, several small shops and businesses had opened their doors. People were building homes and the community was becoming more lively.
A Change in Direction
By the 1920s, things started to change. Cars, also known as automobiles, became very popular. This meant that people didn't need horses as much anymore. Because of this, the Fletcher Norman Horse Company closed down in 1929. This event caused the village's growth to slow down a lot.
Wayne officially became a village in 1958. After this, it did experience some new growth. However, many of the older, historic buildings in the village were carefully kept and preserved. The entire district was recognized for its importance and added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 29, 1978.
Historic Buildings of Wayne
The Wayne Village Historic District includes many old buildings. Out of the fifty-three buildings in the district, thirty-four are considered to be important to its historical identity. These buildings show different styles and changes over time.
Some of the notable buildings include:
- The original Wayne school building from around 1852, which is now a home.
- The Solomon Dunham House, built in 1852, was the very first house in Wayne.
- The Wayne Congregational Church, built in 1871, is still used today.
- Many homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, like the Richard Chipp House and the Frederick A. Glos House.
- Old stores, such as the James Campbell Hardware Store from the 1880s.
Many of these buildings have been changed or moved over the years. However, they still help tell the story of Wayne's past. They show how people lived and worked in the village long ago.
