Categories
  Encyclosphere.org ENCYCLOREADER
  supported by EncyclosphereKSF

Oswego, Illinois

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 19 min

Oswego, Illinois
Village
Downtown Oswego
Downtown Oswego
Flag of Oswego, Illinois
Flag
Official logo of Oswego, Illinois
Logo
Location of Oswego in Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois
Location of Oswego in Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois
Oswego is located in Chicago metropolitan area
Oswego
Oswego
Oswego is located in Illinois
Oswego
Oswego
Oswego is located in the United States
Oswego
Oswego
Coordinates: 41°41′10″N 88°20′30″W / 41.68611°N 88.34167°W / 41.68611; -88.34167[1]
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountiesKendall, Will
TownshipsOswego, Bristol, Wheatland
Settled1833
Incorporated1852
Government
 • Village PresidentRyan Kauffman
Area
[2]
 • Total
15.03 sq mi (38.93 km2)
 • Land14.89 sq mi (38.56 km2)
 • Water0.14 sq mi (0.38 km2)
Elevation
[1]
659 ft (201 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
34,585
 • Density2,323.01/sq mi (896.93/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
60543
Area codes630/331
FIPS code17-56887
GNIS feature ID2399593[1]
Websitewww.oswegoil.org

Oswego (/ɒsˈwiːɡoʊ/ pronounced: "oss-WEE-go" as in the word we) is a village in Kendall and Will counties, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 34,485.[3] Oswego is the largest municipality in Kendall County. Part of the Chicago metropolitan area, it is an exurb of Chicago.[4][5]

History

[edit]
The Little White School Museum in downtown Oswego was built in 1850

In 1833, William Smith Wilson, his wife Rebecca, and his brother-in-law Daniel Pearce moved to the area now known as Oswego.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8] The village was named after Oswego, New York, "Oswego" being an Iroquois word meaning "mouth of the stream".[9] 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.[10] 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).[6]

Major community developments began when Caterpillar Inc. and Western Electric built industrial plants near Oswego in the mid-1950s.[11] This initially allowed nearby Boulder Hill to develop.[12] 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.[6]

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.[13][14] The drag days are still celebrated even though the strip has been closed for decades.[15] Although evidence of the drag strip, including parts of the track, still remain, the site is off limits to the public.

Geography

[edit]

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 15.63 square miles (40.5 km2), of which 15.53 square miles (40.2 km2) (or 99.36%) is land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km2) (or 0.70%) is water.[16]

Downtown

[edit]

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.[17] In 2008, the village celebrated its 175th anniversary.

Recreation and leisure

[edit]

The Oswego area is home to over 1,100 acres (450 ha) 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, 16 miles (26 km) 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.[18]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880663—
1890641−3.3%
1900618−3.6%
1910600−2.9%
192067612.7%
193093237.9%
19409784.9%
19501,22024.7%
19601,51023.8%
19701,86223.3%
19803,02162.2%
19903,87628.3%
200013,326243.8%
201030,355127.8%
202034,58513.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[19]
2010[20] 2020[21]

2020 census

[edit]
Oswego village, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[22] Pop 2010[20] Pop 2020[21] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 12,079 23,700 23,400 90.64% 78.08% 67.66%
Black or African American alone (NH) 236 1,518 2,574 1.77% 5.00% 7.44%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 24 26 30 0.18% 0.09% 0.09%
Asian alone (NH) 183 1,022 1,588 1.37% 3.37% 4.59%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 9 7 0.02% 0.03% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 17 45 153 0.13% 0.15% 0.44%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 119 479 1,417 0.89% 1.58% 4.10%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 665 3,556 5,416 4.99% 11.71% 15.66%
Total 13,326 30,335 34,585 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2019 American Community Survey

[edit]

As of the census[23] 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.[24] The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.43.[23]

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.[23]

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.[23]

Climate and Weather

[edit]

Climate

[edit]

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.[25] In the Dfa Köppen 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. 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. Like many Chicago suburbs Oswego is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b. [26]

Oswego IL climate graph

[edit]
Climate data for Oswego, IL Climate normals (based on Aurora climate data (1990-2021))

(*Auora is the closest NOAA climate data provider being ~6 miles away)

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 30.5
(−0.8) 		34.9
(1.6) 		47.0
(8.3) 		58.9
(14.9) 		71.1
(21.7) 		80.5
(26.9) 		84.0
(28.9) 		82.1
(27.8) 		75.8
(24.3) 		62.8
(17.1) 		47.8
(8.8) 		35.6
(2.0) 		59.2
(15.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 23.2
(−4.9) 		23.2
(−4.9) 		37.9
(3.3) 		49.6
(9.8) 		60.6
(15.9) 		70.3
(21.3) 		74.4
(23.6) 		72.6
(22.6) 		65.5
(18.6) 		53.0
(11.7) 		39.7
(4.3) 		28.7
(−1.8) 		49.9
(10.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 16.0
(−8.9) 		19.5
(−6.9) 		28.9
(−1.7) 		39.3
(4.1) 		50.1
(10.1) 		60.1
(15.6) 		64.8
(18.2) 		63.1
(17.3) 		55.3
(12.9) 		43.1
(6.2) 		31.7
(−0.2) 		21.8
(−5.7) 		41.1
(5.1)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.86
(47) 		1.86
(47) 		2.35
(60) 		4.05
(103) 		4.86
(123) 		4.50
(114) 		4.19
(106) 		3.86
(98) 		3.37
(86) 		3.70
(94) 		2.71
(69) 		2.19
(56) 		39.5
(1,003)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.1
(23) 		9.1
(23) 		2.6
(6.6) 		0.6
(1.5) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1.3
(3.3) 		6.4
(16) 		29.1
(73.4)
Source: NOAA [27]

Weather and storms

[edit]

Floods

[edit]

Many parts of Oswego is next to the Fox Valley River. Due to this many of the areas by the river have a possibility of flooding. Oswego has multiple "Zone AE" locations alongside the river.[28] Zone AE is a Special Flood Hazard Area.[29] Zone AE is a high-risk area. Mandatory flood insurance is commonplace in these areas and may be required. In addition to by the river, some fields in Oswego have risk of flooding. The fields typically have "Zone A" classifications, which is less than Zone AE but still a factor that should be considered.

Tornadoes

[edit]

Oswego and the surrounding area is part of the extended tornado alley (though not typically classified as being part of the 'main tornado alley).[30] Being so, tornadoes are an event that Oswego has risk of happening. Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year but they are most frequent between April and June, with May being the peak. They tend to happen in the afternoon/evening hours with 50% occurring between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. for Illinois as a whole. Illinois (as a whole) averaged 54 tornadoes per year based on the 1991-2020 data.[31]

List of Tornadoes in Oswego (1950–2024) [32][33]
Date Time (CDT) Rating (EF) Max Winds (MPH) Path Length (miles) Path Width (feet/yards) Damage Injuries/Fatalities Notes
Sep. 26, 1959 19:30 EF-1 Unknown 3 33 feet $25,000 (not adjusted) 0/0 Limited details available due to time passed [32]
Mar. 12, 1976 12:50 EF-3 (Max) Unknown 7.8 30 feet $2.5 million 0/0 Tornado likely intensified after Oswego [32]
Aug. 28, 1990 15:15 EF-3 (Oswego), EF-5 (Plainfield) Unknown Unknown Unknown $160 million 350 injured, 29 killed Strongest tornado to go through Oswego to date, See below [33][34]
Jul. 12, 2023 16:36 EF-0 85 Unknown 100 yards Minimal damage 0/0 Minor damage[35]
Jul. 15, 2024 19:55 EF-1 100 Unknown Unknown Uprooted trees, power line damage 0/0 Impacted downtown Oswego [36]

August 28, 1990 Plainfield F-5 Tornado

This tragic tornado touched down in Oswego on August 28th 1990 at 3:15 PM. The tornado had a maximum rating of EF-3 for Oswego specifically, as it got up to F-5 later in Plainfield. This tornado is notable for many reasons. One of them is the lack of warning, there was no warning issued for this area, which was one of the causes in the unfortunate number of injuries and fatalities this tornado had. As a result of this tornado (and the lack of a warning) it helped cause the NWS to begin leaning on the side of caution and issuing more tornado warnings than actual tornadoes. This tornado tragically took the lives of 29 people and injured 350. The majority of fatalities and deaths took place outside of Oswego, particularly in Plainfield where it reached its F-5 rating. An estimated total of $160 million dollars in damages was estimated as a whole and a total of 470 homes were destroyed and 1000 damaged overall. The tornado is also notable for being the first and only F/EF-5 tornado in the month of August. In addition, its path head southeast, which is unusual for tornadoes which typically head east/north-east. The damage path of the tornado can still be seen today.[33][34]

Nearest Weather station to Oswego

[edit]

The closest weather station to Oswego is the Romeoville station (with the station code KLOT for Lewis University Airport). It is located next to Lewis University in Romeoville. It is about 10 miles away from Oswego and is home of the local weather radar. In addition the Romeoville station is home to the NWS Chicago headquarters, who are the people sending out the forecasts and weather watches and warnings. [37]

Transportation

[edit]

Major highway transportation corridors are:

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

Education

[edit]

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.[38] Portions of Oswego are within Yorkville Community Unit School District 115, which operates Yorkville High School.[39]

Notable people

[edit]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

Oswego was ranked #58 in 2011 on CNN/Money Magazine's Top 100 Best Towns to live.[56] 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.[57]

[edit]
  • Village hall
    Village hall
  • Old fire department
    Old fire department
  • Veteran's Memorial Plaza
    Veteran's Memorial Plaza
  • Hudson Crossing Park
    Hudson Crossing Park
  • Downtown during PrairieFest parade
    Downtown during PrairieFest parade

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Oswego, Illinois
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. ^ "Oswego village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "Living in Oswego". Niche. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "Could new Metra service to Kendall County enable a fantastical journey to Oswego? - Streetsblog Chicago". chi.streetsblog.org. April 6, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "History". OswegoIL.org. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  7. ^ Matile, Roger (April 30, 2008). "2". Oswego Township. Arcadia Publishing. p. 23. ISBN 978-0738552088.
  8. ^ Matile, Roger (April 30, 2008). Oswego Township. Arcadia Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 978-0738552088.
  9. ^ "About Us". oswegotownship.org. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  10. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ Roger, Matile (2008). Oswego Township. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub. p. 8. ISBN 978-0738552088.
  12. ^ Dardick, Hal (January 2, 1991). "Boulder Hill has it all but a town that it can call its own". Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  13. ^ Alaimo, Salvatore (August 24, 2011). "Oswego Dragstrip in Oswego, Illinois Holds Many Drag Racing Memories". Dragzine. Power Automedia. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  14. ^ Lohnes, Brian (July 27, 2011). "Wednesday Time Killer: Awesome Photos and History From Oswego Dragway, Including Grumpy Jenkins Wreckage!". BangShift.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  15. ^ Antinori, Shannon (July 14, 2014). "New Museum Exhibit Highlights Oswego Drag Raceway". Oswego Patch. Patch Media. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  16. ^ "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files for Places – Illinois". United States Census. Archived from the original on August 10, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  17. ^ Brack-Johnson, Ann (November 24, 1998). "Oswego Looks Creekward". Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  18. ^ http://www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org.aspx [dead link‍]
  19. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
  20. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Oswego village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Oswego village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Oswego village, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  24. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Oswego village, Illinois". U.S. Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  25. ^ "Köppen–Geiger Climate Classification Map". www.koppen-map.com. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  26. ^ "2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  27. ^ https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&location=IL&station=USC00110338
  28. ^ "FEMA Flood Map Service Center | Search By Address". msc.fema.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  29. ^ "Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) | FEMA.gov". www.fema.gov. July 7, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  30. ^ Journalism, Kerry Breen News Editor Kerry Breen is a news editor at CBSNews com A. graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of; events, she previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital She covers current; News, Breaking; Breen, issues including substance use Read Full Bio Kerry (June 7, 2024). "Maps show how "Tornado Alley" has shifted in the U.S. - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved March 31, 2025. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  31. ^ "Tornadoes in Illinois – Illinois State Climatologist". Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  32. ^ a b c Ledger, The Patriot. "Tornadoes in Illinois since 1950". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  33. ^ a b c "ArcGIS Web Application". apps.dat.noaa.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  34. ^ a b US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "The August 28, 1990 Plainfield F-5 Tornado". www.weather.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  35. ^ "SPC Severe Weather Event Review for Wednesday July 12, 2023". www.spc.noaa.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  36. ^ "SPC Severe Weather Event Review for Monday July 15, 2024". www.spc.noaa.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  37. ^ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Chicago, IL". www.weather.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  38. ^ "District Building Information". Community Unit School District 308. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  39. ^ "About Our School District" (Archive). Yorkville Community Unit School District 115. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.
  40. ^ "Rob Baxley". profootballarchives.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  41. ^ Newton Bateman, Paul Selby, Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, 1904, page 739
  42. ^ "Former State GOP Leader Tom Cross Has Painful Connection To Hastert Case". WBBM-TV. April 27, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  43. ^ "Slade Cutter". National Football Foundation. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  44. ^ How Oswego's Emily Murdock became mystery writer Lawrence L. Lynch (PDF). Little White School Museum.
  45. ^ "Rita B. Garman, Supreme Court Chief Justice: Fourth District". IllinoisCourts.gov. Archived from the original on June 26, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  46. ^ "Joey Goodspeed". Scout. Scout.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  47. ^ Newton, 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.
  48. ^ "HASTERT, John Dennis". History, Art, and Archives. United States House of Representatives. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  49. ^ Jason Meisner, Jeff Coen & Christy Gutowski, Dennis Hastert, former U.S. House speaker, sentenced to 15 months in prison, Chicago Tribune (April 27, 2016).
  50. ^ "Alex Magee". NFL. NFL Enterprises LLC. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  51. ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1979-1980,' Biographical Sketch of Robert Mitchler, pg. 144
  52. ^ "Musician Robinson B. Murphy, Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient".
  53. ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1955-1956,' Biographical Sketch of Maud N. Peffers, pg. 228-229
  54. ^ Gire, Dann (February 24, 2015). "Mannheim Steamroller drummer from Oswego writes symphony". Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  55. ^ "Representative Keith R. Wheeler (R)". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  56. ^ "Money Magazine "Best Places to Live 2011"". BestPlaces.net. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  57. ^ Christie, Les (June 16, 2010). "Fastest growing counties in the U.S." Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
[edit]
Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 | Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswego,_Illinois
2 views | Status: cached on March 31 2025 07:01:33
↧ Download as ZWI file
Encyclosphere.org EncycloReader is supported by the EncyclosphereKSF