Geneva History and Community

Geneva, Illinois

Geneva Illinois history really begain in 1830 when Daniel Shaw Haight built a log cabin near a spring. He named his settlement Big Spring and set up a homestead with his family. In 1835 he sold his claim to James and Charity Herrington and moved north. The Herringtons were very influential in Geneva's early history, overseeing the construction of a saw mill in 1835-36 and the establishment of a post office in the same year.

In 1836, Geneva became the seat of a newly created county - the County of Kane. At that time, voters also renamed the community Geneva after the city of the same name in New York. Also in 1836, a group of settlers arrived from Massachusetts. They would eventually found the first church in Geneva - the Unitarian Church - currently the oldest Unitarian church west of New York. They would also be influential in the early development of the village. In 1837, the Village of Geneva was officially platted and surveyed for an area of about 300 acres, most of which was owned by James Herrington and R.J. Hamilton.

With the arrival of the railroad in 1853 and onward throughout the 19th century, Geneva became known as a quaint vacation destination for residents of Chicago who would take the train out for the weekend. Many would eventually establish summer homes in the community and add to it's growth. The early economy in Geneva was dominated by it's mills for lumber and flour and also by its quarries. Although not as well-known for quarry stone as Batavia, Geneva also featured an abundance of top-quality Niagra Limestone.

In the later part of the 19th century, Geneva saw an influx of Swedish immigrants that would play a big part in Geneva industry. To this day, Geneva maintains a large Swedish population. Today, Geneva remains a popular vacation destination. It's historic architecture is well-known as some of the best examples still standing in the area.