1837
The Peck family
Sheldon and Harriet Peck came from Onondaga, New York, to farm. Sheldon was a portrait painter, and the Peck house served as the area’s first school.
Source: Wikipedia: Lombard, Illinois
Living in Lombard, Illinois
The Lilac Village, about 20 miles west of the Chicago Loop, with a lilac festival every May since 1930.
01 — At a Glance
The Lilac Village, festival and all.
Lombard was first called Babcock’s Grove, after early settlers along the DuPage River. The railroad arrived in 1848, and the village incorporated in 1869, named for Chicago banker Josiah Lewis Lombard. The 2020 census counted 44,476 residents. Since 1930, Lombard has held a lilac festival and parade every May.
02 — History
The story of Lombard.
Lombard has been a grove, a railroad stop and a village of lilacs. A few chapters from its past.
1848
The railroad
The Galena and Chicago Union Railroad gave farmers and merchants rail access to Chicago, and businesses sprang up around the station.
Source: Wikipedia: Lombard, Illinois
1869
A new name
The village incorporated and took the name of Josiah Lewis Lombard, a Chicago banker and real estate developer.
Source: Wikipedia: Lombard, Illinois
1930
Lilac Time
Lombard held its first lilac festival and parade. Adeline Fleege was the first Lilac Princess.
Source: Wikipedia: Lombard, Illinois
2011
Network to Freedom
The Peck House joined the National Park Service’s list of verified Underground Railroad locations.
Source: Wikipedia: Lombard, Illinois
03 — Education
A tradition of learning.
Lombard’s high schools are shared with Glen Ellyn in the Glenbard district, and two elementary districts serve the village.
Boundaries follow the address. Confirm school assignment for each address with the district before you buy.
Search HomesPublic · K–8
Lombard District 44 & DuPage District 45
Elementary and middle schools across the village.
- Lombard School District 44
- DuPage School District 45
Public · 9–12
Glenbard Township High School District 87
Shared with neighboring Glen Ellyn, hence the name Glenbard.
- Glenbard East High School, in Lombard
Independent
Private schools
Two private high school options.
- Montini Catholic High School
- College Preparatory School of America
Source: Wikipedia: Lombard, Illinois
04 — Lifestyle
Everyday life in Lombard.
Spring in Lombard means lilacs. The rest of the year, life centers on downtown and the train.
Lilac Time
The Festival
A 16-day celebration ending in mid-May, with concerts, tastings, a formal ball and tours of the park.
The Lilac Queen
The festival opens with the coronation of the Lilac Queen and her court.
The Parade
The grand finale is the Lilac Festival Parade.
History
Peck House
Restored by the Lombard Historical Society.
Babcock’s Grove
The village’s first name, after the Babcock brothers.
The Station
Downtown grew up around the 1848 railroad.
Source: Wikipedia: Lombard, Illinois