History
The Village of Lindenhurst, incorporated in 1956, has a diverse background that has seen fantastic growth and development. Finding its roots in a very small farming community with one area Post Office in the mid 19th century, this town has grown steadily ever since. Resorts built by the Lehmann family in nearby Lake Villa brought visitors from Chicago seeking country air and open spaces. However, it wasn't until the railroad was built in 1886 that the area saw extensive growth and wealth for the first time. Ernest E. Lehmann, one of the heirs to the family fortune owned what would be called Lindenhurst Farm, named after the two rows of Linden trees lining the estate. Years later it was sold to family friend Edna Siebel, who then sold it to developer Morton Engle. Engle, whose firm had previously developed Venetian Village, subdivided the 500 acre farm in 1952, and in 1953 Lindenhurst Estates was born. Located behind what is now Linden Plaza, these homes married the countryside feel with a modern look, and it was this rugged individualism that would push this small community of less than one thousand to a Village of over fifteen thousand today.
As roads were being paved and interstates developed throughout the mid 20th century, this close-knit town grew from the help of Engle and the residents persuasive spirit of volunteerism. In 1958, two years after incorporation, B.J. Hooper Elementary opened its doors to Lindenhurst school children. Then in 1960 Linden Plaza launched with Piggly Wiggly anchoring the complex. The last fifty years have brought tremendous growth both in and around the Village. These sweeping advancements were not always met with agreement, however early leaders wanted what was best for this town. Those traditions continue today, and it will be the original attention to detail and our "pioneer" attitude that will keep Lindenhurst looking outside the box and toward the future.
"Developing Today, For Tomorrow"
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