Oswego, Illinois

File:Little White School Museum.jpg

In 1833, William Smith Wilson, his wife Rebecca, and his brother-in-law Daniel Pearce moved to the area now known as Oswego.{{cite web | url=http://www.oswegoil.org/resident-information/about-oswego/history.aspx | title=History | website=OswegoIL.org | access-date=15 December 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220200422/http://www.oswegoil.org/resident-information/about-oswego/history.aspx | archive-date=20 December 2014 | url-status=live }} The land belonged to the local Potawatomi, Ottawa, and Chippewa tribes, but the United States government removed the Native Americans when the government started surveying the land along the Fox River in Kendall County. In 1842, the federal government placed the land for sale at an established price of $1.25 an acre.{{cite book|last1=Matile|first1=Roger|title=Oswego Township|date=April 30, 2008|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0738552088|page=23|chapter=2}}

After the sale of the land, Lewis Brinsmaid Judson and Levi F. Arnold from New York laid out the village and named it "Hudson". However, when a post office was established, its location was given as "Lodi". Confusion over the official name of the area led to a decision in January 1837, when the citizens gathered and voted "Oswego" as the permanent name of the village by a single vote.{{cite book|last1=Matile|first1=Roger|title=Oswego Township|date=April 30, 2008|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0738552088|page=7}} The village was named after Oswego, New York, "Oswego" being an Iroquois word meaning "mouth of the stream".{{cite web|url=https://www.oswegotownship.org/about-us/#:~:text=Oswego%20is%20an%20Iroquois%20Native,the%20mouth%20of%20Waubonsie%20Creek | title=About Us | website=oswegotownship.org | access-date=12 March 2023 }} The ford across the Fox River in the town allowed Oswego to grow economically and as a town, eventually incorporated in 1852 with its village boundaries at the time being Harrison Street to the northwest, Jefferson Street to the northeast, Monroe Street to the southeast, and Benton Street to the southwest.{{Cite web |url=http://www.oswegoil.org/pdf/map-annexation.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225095039/http://www.oswegoil.org/pdf/map-annexation.pdf |archive-date=2016-12-25 |url-status=live }} At the advent of the automobile, Oswego continued to see growth as it became a hub for three different state highways (Illinois Route 25, Illinois Route 71, and Illinois Route 31).

Major community developments began when Caterpillar Inc. and Western Electric built industrial plants near Oswego in the mid-1950s.{{cite book |last1=Roger |first1=Matile |title=Oswego Township |date=2008 |publisher=Arcadia Pub. |location=Charleston, SC |isbn=978-0738552088 |page=8}} This initially allowed nearby Boulder Hill to develop.{{cite news |last1=Dardick |first1=Hal |title=Boulder Hill has it all but a town that it can call its own |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/01/02/boulder-hill-has-it-all-but-a-town-that-it-can-call-its-own/ |access-date=28 June 2016 |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=January 2, 1991 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813031309/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1991-01-02/news/9101010238_1_sales-and-resales-cayman-islands-houses |archive-date=13 August 2016 |url-status=live }} The next major development arrived in the mid-1980s during the suburban homebuilding boom, which allowed houses and buildings to populate the village. The rapid growth of the village allowed its limits to expand west of the Fox River into today's boundaries.

Oswego is known to some Chicago-area residents for the town dragstrip on State Route 34, which was open from 1955 until 1979, where muscle cars were raced by drivers from all over the Midwest.{{cite web |last1=Alaimo |first1=Salvatore |title=Oswego Dragstrip in Oswego, Illinois Holds Many Drag Racing Memories |url=http://www.dragzine.com/news/oswego-dragstrip-in-oswego-illinois-holds-many-drag-racing-memories/ |website=Dragzine |publisher=Power Automedia |access-date=28 June 2016 |date=August 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914002810/http://www.dragzine.com/news/oswego-dragstrip-in-oswego-illinois-holds-many-drag-racing-memories/ |archive-date=14 September 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Lohnes |first1=Brian |title=Wednesday Time Killer: Awesome Photos and History From Oswego Dragway, Including Grumpy Jenkins Wreckage! |url=http://bangshift.com/general-news/wednesday-time-killer-awesome-photos-and-history-from-oswego-dragway-including-grumpy-jenkins-wreckage/ |website=BangShift.com |access-date=28 June 2016 |date=July 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810172206/http://bangshift.com/general-news/wednesday-time-killer-awesome-photos-and-history-from-oswego-dragway-including-grumpy-jenkins-wreckage/ |archive-date=10 August 2016 |url-status=live }} The drag days are still celebrated even though the strip has been closed for decades.{{cite news |last1=Antinori |first1=Shannon |title=New Museum Exhibit Highlights Oswego Drag Raceway |url=http://patch.com/illinois/oswego/new-museum-exhibit-highlights-oswego-drag-raceway |access-date=28 June 2016 |work=Oswego Patch |publisher=Patch Media |date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804115706/http://patch.com/illinois/oswego/new-museum-exhibit-highlights-oswego-drag-raceway |archive-date=4 August 2016 |url-status=live }} Although evidence of the drag strip, including parts of the track, still remain, the site is off limits to the public.

Oswego is located in northeastern Kendall County on the Fox River with a small portion in Will County. It is bordered to the north by Boulder Hill and Montgomery, to the east by Aurora, and to the west by Yorkville, the Kendall county seat.

According to the 2010 census, the village of Oswego has a total area of {{convert|15.63|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|15.53|sqmi}} (or 99.36%) is land and {{convert|0.11|sqmi}} (or 0.70%) is water.{{cite web

|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_17.txt

|title=2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files for Places – Illinois

|publisher=United States Census

|access-date=2012-10-13

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810063544/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_17.txt

|archive-date=2012-08-10

|url-status=live

}}

Downtown Oswego is home to historic buildings and homes, as well as shops and restaurants. The Village of Oswego launched a project to enhance and restore the historic downtown district. This project included significant infrastructure and streetscape improvements, such as the installation of brick pavers, sidewalks, landscaping, and decorative streetlights and benches. Hudson Crossing Park, located along the Fox River, opened in October 2004 where many children and families enjoy the scenery. The Waubonsee Creek Promenade, which stretches from Main Street to the new park, is the final phase of the downtown enhancements.{{cite news |last1=Brack-Johnson |first1=Ann |title=Oswego Looks Creekward |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/11/24/oswego-looks-creekward/ |access-date=28 June 2016 |work=Chicago Tribune |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=November 24, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813024638/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-11-24/news/9811240153_1_parking-deck-shops-downtown-area |archive-date=13 August 2016 |url-status=live }} In 2008, the village celebrated its 175th anniversary.

The Oswego area is home to over {{convert|1100|acre}} of open land, trails, and parks maintained by the Oswegoland Park District. Established in 1950, this governmental agency is guided to "create opportunities for a healthy community". Overseeing 63 parks, {{convert|16|mi}} of walking trails, two aquatic parks, and the Little White School Museum, the park district provides offerings for the community of 20,000 households as well as visitors from farther away.

The Oswego area holds several races for fitness enthusiasts. Several area festivals are coordinated by the park district, such as the annual PrairieFest.http://www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org.aspx {{Dead link|date=March 2022}}

Oswego is classified as having a hot-summer humid continental climate. Which is typical for the Midwest region. More particularly, it is in the Köppen Dfa zone.{{Cite web |title=Köppen–Geiger Climate Classification Map |url=https://www.koppen-map.com/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=www.koppen-map.com}} In the Köppen Dfa zone precipitation is usually amble, especially in the summer months. In the Dfa zones the spring and summer months can have severe weather, including tornadoes, when the polar front is in the southern margin of the zone. The region has four distinct seasons. Winters tend to be cold and have ample snow, blizzards are also a possibility. Springs tend to be humid, and can have precipitation and storms. Summers tend to be hot and have the highest precipitation overall as well as storms. Fall tends to cool down.{{Cite web |title=Humid continental climate {{!}} Temperature, Precipitation & Seasons {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/humid-continental-climate |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}

{{Weather box

| location = Oswego, IL Climate normals based on SSE Oswego(rain)/Aurora(temps) (1990-2021)

| source = NOAA https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&location=IL&station=USC00110338https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&location=IL&station=US1ILKD0024

| single line = Y

| width = auto

| Apr high F = 58.9

| Apr low F = 39.3

| Apr mean F = 49.6

| Apr precipitation inch = 3.87

| Apr snow inch = 0.6

| Aug high F = 82.1

| Aug low F = 63.1

| Aug mean F = 72.6

| Aug precipitation inch = 4.01

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Dec high F = 35.6

| Dec low F = 21.8

| Dec mean F = 28.7

| Dec precipitation inch = 2.13

| Dec snow inch = 6.4

| Feb high F = 34.9

| Feb low F = 19.5

| Feb mean F = 23.2

| Feb precipitation inch = 1.99

| Feb snow inch = 9.1

| Jan high F = 30.5

| Jan low F = 16.0

| Jan mean F = 23.2

| Jan precipitation inch = 2.14

| Jan snow inch = 9.1

| Jul high F = 84.0

| Jul low F = 64.8

| Jul mean F = 74.4

| Jul precipitation inch = 4.43

| Jun high F = 80.5

| Jun low F = 60.1

| Jun mean F = 70.3

| Jun precipitation inch = 4.36

| Jun snow inch = 0

| Mar high F = 47.0

| Mar low F = 28.9

| Mar mean F = 37.9

| Mar precipitation inch = 2.46

| Mar snow inch = 2.6

| May high F = 71.1

| May low F = 50.1

| May mean F = 60.6

| May precipitation inch = 4.76

| May snow inch = 0

| Nov high F = 47.8

| Nov low F = 31.7

| Nov mean F = 39.7

| Nov precipitation inch = 2.66

| Nov snow inch = 1.3

| Oct high F = 62.8

| Oct low F = 43.1

| Oct mean F = 53.0

| Oct precipitation inch = 3.39

| Oct snow inch = 0

| Sep high F = 75.8

| Sep low F = 55.3

| Sep mean F = 65.5

| Sep precipitation inch = 3.33

| Sep snow inch = 0

| Jul snow inch = 0

}}

{{US Census population

|align=right

|1880= 663

|1890= 641

|1900= 618

|1910= 600

|1920= 676

|1930= 932

|1940= 978

|1950= 1220

|1960= 1510

|1970= 1862

|1980= 3021

|1990= 3876

|2000= 13326

|2010= 30355

|2020= 34585

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=}}
2010 2020

}}

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2016-06-27|title=U.S. Census website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/http://www.census.gov/|archive-date=1996-12-27|url-status=live}} of 2019, there were 36,252 people, 11,215 families living in the village. The population density was 2,025/mi² (782/km²). There were 10,388 housing units at an urban density of 668.9/mi² (258.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 82.0% White, 5.6% African American, 0.24% Native American, 4.79% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.24% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. 17.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,935 households, out of which 50.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.2% were married couples living together, 10.58% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families.{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Oswego village, Illinois

|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/oswegovillageillinois|website=U.S. Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=19 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916130815/http://www.oswegoil.org/economic-pdf/Oswego%20Demographic%20Profile%20-%20March%202015.pdf|archive-date=16 September 2016|url-status=live}} The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 34.7% under the age of 20, 17.0% from 20 to 34, 33.2% from 35 to 54, 8.3% from 55 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.9 years.

As of the 2019 census, the median income for a household in the village was $117,624, and the median income for a family was $102,110. Males had a median income of $75,849 versus $56,164 for females. The per capita income for the village was $37,839. 1.49% of the population and 1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.49% of those under the age of 18 and 1.56% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

According to the Village's 2024 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{Cite web |title=Annual Financial Reports {{!}} Village of Oswego, Illinois |url=https://www.oswegoil.org/government/departments/finance/financial-reporting/annual-reports-cafr |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230521211059/https://www.oswegoil.org/government/departments/finance/financial-reporting/annual-reports-cafr |archive-date=2023-05-21 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.oswegoil.org |language=en}} the top employers in the village are:

Major highway transportation corridors are:

• {{jct|state=IL|US|30}}
• {{jct|state=IL|US|34|name1=Walter Payton Memorial Highway}}
• {{jct|state=IL|IL|25|name1=Madison Street}}
• {{jct|state=IL|IL|31}}
• {{jct|state=IL|IL|71}}
• {{jct|state=IL|IL|126}}
• {{jct|state=IL|CR|20|county1=Kendall}} (Orchard Road)

The former Burlington Route line between Aurora and Streator runs through Oswego.

The Oswego Community Unit School District 308 serves Oswego, Boulder Hill, Montgomery, Plainfield, Aurora, Yorkville and Joliet. It operates 22 schools, including one early learning center, 14 elementary schools for grades K-5, 5 junior high schools for grades 6–8, 2 high schools, and one opportunity school.{{cite web | url= http://www.oswego308.org/about/buildings.aspx | title= District Building Information | website= Community Unit School District 308 | access-date= 2013-04-17 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130522073914/http://www.oswego308.org/about/buildings.aspx | archive-date= 2013-05-22 | url-status= live }} Portions of Oswego are within Yorkville Community Unit School District 115, which operates Yorkville High School."[http://www.y115.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/District?template=m About Our School District]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20151007110120/http://www.y115.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/District?template=m Archive]). Yorkville Community Unit School District 115. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.

• Rob Baxley, former professional football player{{cite web | url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/baxl00400.html | title=Rob Baxley | publisher=profootballarchives.com | access-date=June 27, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203648/http://www.profootballarchives.com/baxl00400.html | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | url-status=live }}
• Arthur M. Beaupre, diplomat; born in OswegoNewton Bateman, Paul Selby, [https://books.google.com/books?id=X0o0AQAAMAAJ&dq=%22Arthur+M+Beaupre%22+kane+county&pg=PA739 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois], Volume 2, 1904, page 739
• Tom Cross, former member of the Illinois House of Representatives{{cite news |title=Former State GOP Leader Tom Cross Has Painful Connection To Hastert Case |url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/04/27/former-state-gop-leader-tom-cross-has-painful-connection-to-hastert-case/ |access-date=February 4, 2021 |work=WBBM-TV |date=April 27, 2016}}
• Slade Cutter, former naval officer and member of the College Football Hall of Fame{{cite web |title=Slade Cutter |url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1503 |website=National Football Foundation |access-date=February 4, 2021}}
• Emma Murdock Van Deventer, mystery novelist{{Cite book |url=https://littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Emily-Murdock-Van-Deventer.pdf |title=How Oswego's Emily Murdock became mystery writer Lawrence L. Lynch |publisher=Little White School Museum}}
• Rita B. Garman, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois{{cite web| url= http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/supremecourt/justices/bio_garman.asp| title= Rita B. Garman, Supreme Court Chief Justice: Fourth District| website= IllinoisCourts.gov| access-date= June 27, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160626014545/http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/supremecourt/Justices/Bio_Garman.asp| archive-date= June 26, 2016| url-status= live}}
• Joey Goodspeed, former professional football player; running back for the Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, and San Diego Chargers{{cite web|title=Joey Goodspeed|url=http://www.scout.com/player/19864-joey-goodspeed/|website=Scout|publisher=Scout.com|access-date=28 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410192711/http://www.scout.com/player/19864-joey-goodspeed|archive-date=10 April 2016|url-status=live}}
• John Hamilton, member of the John Dillinger gang who was buried near here in summer of 1934Newton, M. (2002). ''The Encyclopedia of Robberies, Heists, and Capers. Checkmark Books, an imprint of Facts on File, Inc. {{ISBN|0-8160-4489-9}}. pp. 128-129.
• J. Dennis Hastert, former Congressman and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1999–2007),{{cite web|title=HASTERT, John Dennis|url=http://history.house.gov/People/Listing/H/HASTERT,-John-Dennis-(H000323)/|website=History, Art, and Archives|publisher=United States House of Representatives|access-date=28 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816100014/http://history.house.gov/People/Listing/H/HASTERT,-John-Dennis-(H000323)/|archive-date=16 August 2016|url-status=live}} convicted child molesterJason Meisner, Jeff Coen & Christy Gutowski, [https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dennis-hastert-sentencing-20160427-story.html Dennis Hastert, former U.S. House speaker, sentenced to 15 months in prison], Chicago Tribune (April 27, 2016).
• AJ Johnson, professional bowler on the PBA Tour
• Alex Magee, former professional football player; defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers{{cite web|title=Alex Magee|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/alexmagee/79601/profile|website=NFL|publisher=NFL Enterprises LLC.|access-date=28 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817073439/http://www.nfl.com/player/alexmagee/79601/profile|archive-date=17 August 2016|url-status=live}}
• Robert Mitchler, Illinois state senator'Illinois Blue Book 1979-1980,' Biographical Sketch of Robert Mitchler, pg. 144
• Robinson B. Murphy, Civil War Army musician; Medal of Honor recipient{{Cite web|url=http://medal-of-honor.findthedata.org/l/965/Murphy|title=Musician Robinson B. Murphy, Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient}}
• Maud N. Peffers, Illinois state representative'Illinois Blue Book 1955-1956,' Biographical Sketch of Maud N. Peffers, pg. 228-229
• Tom Sharpe, drummer for Mannheim Steamroller as well as Dennis DeYoung{{cite news |last1=Gire |first1=Dann |title=Mannheim Steamroller drummer from Oswego writes symphony |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150224/news/150229448/ |access-date=30 January 2020 |date=24 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228021451/http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150224/news/150229448 |archive-date=28 February 2018 |url-status=live }}
• Julianne Sitch, former professional soccer player. First woman to ever win an NCAA championship as coach of a men's team
• Keith R. Wheeler, member of the Illinois General Assembly{{cite web |title=Representative Keith R. Wheeler (R) |url=https://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=99&MemberID=2270 |website=Illinois General Assembly |access-date=February 4, 2021}}

Oswego was ranked #58 in 2011 on CNN/Money Magazine's Top 100 Best Towns to live.{{cite web | url= http://www.bestplaces.net/docs/studies/money_magazine_rating_the_study_list.aspx | title= Money Magazine "Best Places to Live 2011" | publisher= BestPlaces.net | access-date= 15 December 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150115000615/http://www.bestplaces.net/docs/studies/money_magazine_rating_the_study_list.aspx | archive-date= 15 January 2015 | url-status= live }} CNN Money ranks these towns based on their job opportunities, schools, safety, economic strength, and other qualities. Kendall County has continuously been ranked as one of the fastest-growing counties and a place of rapid job growth.{{cite web | url= https://money.cnn.com/2010/06/16/real_estate/fastest_growing_counties/ | title= Fastest growing counties in the U.S. | first= Les | last= Christie | date= 16 June 2010 | access-date= 15 December 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141201042600/http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/16/real_estate/fastest_growing_counties/ | archive-date= 1 December 2014 | url-status= live }}

Oswego Illinois - 1.jpg|Village hall

Oswego Illinois - 4.jpg|Old fire department

Oswego Illinois - 6.jpg|Veteran's Memorial Plaza

Oswego Illinois - 8.jpg|Hudson Crossing Park

Oswego Illinois - 9.jpg|Downtown during PrairieFest parade

{{Reflist}}

• {{commons category-inline}}
• {{official website|1=http://www.oswegoil.org/}}

{{Kendall County, Illinois}}

{{Will County, Illinois}}

{{Fox Valley}}

{{Chicagoland}}

{{Illinois}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Geographic location

|Center=Oswego

|West=Yorkville

|Southwest=Plattville

|South=Newark

|Southeast=Shorewood

|East=Plainfield

|North=Montgomery

}}

Category:Villages in Kendall County, Illinois

Category:Villages in Will County, Illinois

Category:Populated places established in 1833

Category:1833 establishments in Illinois

Category:Villages in Illinois