Village of Rosemont Incorporated
After beginning as the North Leyden Homeowners Association & Fire Protection District, Rosemont was incorporated as a village in the State of Illinois.
ROSEMONT HISTORY MUSEUM GRAND OPENING SUMMER 2026
ROSEMONT HISTORY MUSEUM GRAND OPENING SUMMER 2026
After beginning as the North Leyden Homeowners Association & Fire Protection District, Rosemont was incorporated as a village in the State of Illinois.
Donald E. Stephens won his first municipal election. At 27 years old, he became the youngest mayor in the state of Illinois at that time.
Establishment of the first full-time volunteer police department in the Village.
Mayor Donald E. Stephens made a deal with the Tri-State tollway contractor [S.J. Groves Company] to dig a new Willow Creek channel in exchange for dirt needed for the tollway’s embankments. The project costed the Village $4,900 out of the original $141,000 estimate.
Ground was broken on the triangular parcel bounded by Higgins & Devon for the Lady of Hope Catholic Church, School, and Rectory. Rev. Francis Buck was the church's founding Pastor.
During the initial construction of the tollways and the airport, several houses were raised and relocated to Rosemont’s residential subdivision on Scott Street.
While the City of Chicago was looking for a land link to O'Hare Airport, Mayor Donald E. Stephens made a deal with Mayor Richard J. Daley to disconnect a strip of Foster Avenue in exchange for access to the 48-inch water main. Which provided the village with 4 million gallons of Lake Michigan water access at bargain rates.
The Our Lady of Hope Catholic School opened, with the church's chapel being located in the basement of the school. Daily masses and communions took place here.
The Northwest Expressway (I-90) & Tri-State Tollway (I-294) opened.
Designed by Rosemont’s first architect, Arthur Swanson, the O’Hare Inn on Mannheim Road opened as the first airport-oriented hotel in the area.
Rosemont’s first school was the old 2-room River Road Schoolhouse that was located near River & Higgins Roads—Built in the incorporated area around the early 20th century. It was announced that the village was building a new school on Ruby Street, and soon the old building went up for auction after graduating its last class of 13 eighth graders.
The old River Road School was burnt down via arsonist, David J. Rennie—A past president of the volunteer fire department.
Designed by architect Howard Kessler of Evanston, IL, the new Rosemont School building completed construction and contains six classrooms and a multi-purpose room on a 10 acre site.
The newly upgraded Rosemont School was dedicated by Illinois Governor, William G. Stratton, who arrived on the school grounds via helicopter.
Rosemont outmaneuvered Des Plaines in annexing the O’Hare Inn property, which brought an additional $50,000 annually in tax revenue at that time.
In effort to remove illegal activity in the young village, Mayor Donald E. Stephens and construction partner, Patrick J. Greco, purchased the Thunderbolt Motel from Sam Giancana. It was renamed to The Caravelle Motel.
After being considered too small for a park district, petitions were used to file a charter to create the Rosemont Park District.
Architect Arthur Swanson sold his 1930s gatehouse & studio property to the Sheraton-O’Hare Motor Hotel he designed. The hotel kept the home and converted it into a honeymoon suite/pool house.
After 8 years of incorporation, the population grows to 1,000 residents.
A tornado touched down and tore roofs off the Lady of Hope School, an apartment building on Kirchoff Road, and thousands worth of damage.
Village celebrated its 10th Anniversary of Incorporation.
Dissolution of the North Leyden Fire Protection District—All fire protection is now from the Village of Rosemont’s own fire department.
Rosemont held a community contest to choose its flag seal. The winning design was won by 12-year-old Susan Grueski.
Rosemont Park District dedicated the park to the late Margaret J. Lange. Rosemont’s first village clerk and active member of the community.
Rosemont's School-Park Complex officially opened, adding an addition to Rosemont School, that included a gymnasium and an Olympic sized pool to be shared by the school and park district.
Hyatt Regency O’Hare opened in Rosemont, marking the first convention hotel in the area.
In 1970, there were 440 houses, 1,272 apartments and condos, 165 mobile homes in Rosemont, and several industrial and hospitality businesses.
The updated Park District Recreation Center opened at Margaret J. Lange Park on Scott and Granville streets.
Police and Fire are combined to create Rosemont’s Public Safety Department. All officers are cross-trained in fire and police academies.
After much skepticism, Rosemont opened a brand new trade and convention center on the previous site of a Halo Lighting factory on River Road and Bryn Mawr Avenue.
After acquiring land from the Glen Acres subdivision, ground was broken for a brand new indoor sports and entertainment arena on Mannheim Road.
The partially constructed timber roof of the Rosemont Horizon arena completely collapsed. The catastrophic failure resulted in the tragic deaths of 5 construction workers and injured 16 others who were on site.
Despite the horrific accident, the immediate response by Mayor Donald E. Stephens made sure to take care of those affected in the accident, and continued forward with building the arena as planned. Thanks to his leadership, opened on time, and on budget.
The first concert at the Rosemont Horizon was Fleetwood Mac, who opened the new arena with two sold-out nights on May 14 and 15, 1980
Village celebrated its 25th Anniversary since its incorporation.
Rosemont upgraded its water tower with a more modern and floral design.
With enrollment being less than 100 students, the cost of education on the rise, and the building's dire need for repairs, a decision was made to shut down the school.
Rosemont CTA Station (originally River Road Station) opened on River Road as part of the CTA Blue Line’s expansion to O’Hare Airport.
Joan Benoit won Rosemont’s Turkey Trot, and a year later, a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics.
Ronald Reagan visited the Rosemont Horizon during a Reagan-Bush presidential campaign rally.
To make way for future development and a new church, Our Lady of Hope Church's Rectory was moved in its entirety by truck down Devon Avenue, and onto its permanent location on Stillwell Drive.
Groundbreaking for the new Our Lady of Hope Church occurred at the point of Devon-Higgins.
After massive success of the O'Hare Exposition Center, the facility is expanded, and renamed to “Rosemont-O’Hare Exposition Center."
The new Our Lady of Hope Church opened and was dedicated by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. A new OPUS corporate office building got built on the previous site of the catholic school.
President Ronald Reagan spoke at the Rosemont-O'Hare Exposition Center fundraising luncheon.
Mayor Donald E. Stephens donated his world's largest collection of Hummel Figurines to the
Rosemont opened a new public park featuring a playground, pond with swans, small waterfall, scenic bridge, tennis courts, indoor recreation center, and a gazebo.—Named after Cook County Board president, George Dunne.
A massive rainstorm flooded the village of Rosemont once again, causing multiple homes and roads to flood.
Mayor Donald E. Stephens and Illinois Governor James Thompson meet with future President George H.W. Bush during a campaign stop in Rosemont.
Several convention center expansions and remodels to the "new" Rosemont Convention Center.
The I-294 Exit Ramp onto River Road opened, allowing access to Rosemont's post-1980's building boom.
Rosemont Village Hall & Public Safety Headquarters building opened on Devon Avenue.
Willow Creek Health Club—an expansive gym offering an indoor track, swimming pool, basketball courts and tennis/pickleball courts, opened after being a factory warehouse in previous years.
Monument Park Waterfall opened on the corner of River & Higgins Roads.
Caravelle Hotel is demolished, and ground is broken to build the Rosemont Theatre on the previous site.
The Rosemont Theatre, a 4,200-seat venue on River Road, was constructed following a groundbreaking ceremony.
The grand opening of the Rosemont Theatre took place in the form of a gala, with Barry Manilow headlining as the main performer for the evening.
The Rosemont Horizon became the Allstate Arena and underwent a $22 million renovation.
To commemorate Mayor Stephens' years of leadership and vision, the Rosemont Convention Center was renamed to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
Village marks 50 years of incorporation under the leadership of founding Mayor Donald E. Stephens.
The first concept for Rosemont’s Entertainment District gets proposed and is named the “Rosemont Walk.” —The district is now called Parkway Bank Park.
Rosemont’s rose designed water tower gets a facelift and is repainted.
After serving as Rosemont’s founding mayor for 51 years, Donald E. Stephens passed away in his Rosemont home at the age of 79.
As Village Trustee for over 18 years, Bradley A. Stephens, was unanimously chosen to follow his father as mayor of Rosemont. He was elected to a full term in 2009 and has continued to serve since then.
Rosemont's Muvico 18 movie theater opened—The first all-digital format theater in the country.
Plans for the new Fashion Outlets of Chicago Outlet Mall were announced.
Donald E. Stephens' extensive collection of M.I. Hummel figurines moved from the convention center, and into a museum space built at the Rosemont Higgins Shopping Plaza. Museum curator, Betty Rossi, participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony, and was also recognized for her 25 years of service with the Village of Rosemont.
Parkway Bank Sports Complex (formerly The Ballpark at Rosemont), officially opened in 2011. It was inaugurated as the home of the Chicago Bandits, a professional women's softball team.
Rosemont’s Entertainment District, Parkway Bank Park, opened. Featuring restaurants, a comedy club, movie theater, bowling alley, and an open space turf for summer/winter events.
Fashion Outlets of Chicago Outlet Mall opened to the public.
Significant developments included the construction of hotels, medical training center, and retail-office spaces.
The Hyatt Place Chicago-O'Hare hotel opened on Mannheim Road, part of the redevelopment of the former Sheraton/Wyndham O'Hare Hotel site.
The village unveiled a bronze statue of the late Donald E. Stephens, who served as the founding mayor for 51 years, on a outdoor pedestal outside of Village Hall.
Impact Field, home to the Chicago Dogs independent baseball team, hosted its grand opening and first game.
The village continued to support commercial development and developed the Pearl District. —A multi-use district which encompasses a boutique hotel, fine dining, and entertainment.
Mayor Brad Stephens was appointed to the Illinois House of Representatives for the 20th District while also serving as Rosemont mayor.
Under Mayor Brad Stephens' leadership, Rosemont has continued to thrive as a hub for commerce, entertainment, and tourism, building upon the foundation laid by his father.
EarthMed, Rosemont's first cannabis dispensary, opened. Marking a new chapter in the village's commercial landscape.
Rosemont’s oldest structure, Arthur Swanson’s 1930s Gatehouse & Architect Studio, was demolished due to its poor abandoned state on the hotel grounds.
The Illinois General Assembly officially adopted a joint resolution to designate the Balmoral Avenue bridge over I-294 as the Donald E. Stephens Memorial Bridge.
The Village of Rosemont relocated its Village Hall and Public Safety Department to 9501 Technology Blvd. (Not Devon Avenue!)
Plans announced for the Rosemont History Museum to be built.
Plans are finalized to build a newly upgraded Rosemont Elementary School facility on the former Park District site.
Margaret J. Lange Park District is demolished to make way for the new Rosemont Elementary School.
Rosemont expanded its entertainment options by opening the Midwest's largest immersive venue, EXP.
The new $34.5 million Rosemont Ice Arena held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Rosemont marks 70 years of incorporation.
The new Donald E. Stephens Rosemont History Museum will be set to open in the summer of 2026.