Libertyville in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Libertyville

1882–1982

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 28, 2025

1. Libertyville Marker

Inscription. First known as Vardin's Grove, Libertyville was settled in 1836 by George Vardin. The name of the village was later changed to Independence Grove and then to Libertyville. On June 20, 1839, Libertyville became the county seat, and the name was changed to Burlington. When the county seat was removed to Little Fort (now Waukegan) on April 13, 1841, the name of the village reverted back to Libertyville.

Libertyville became incorporated on April 15, 1882. Incorporation meant that the village had the legal ability to create ordinances to chart its future. John Locke was later elected as president of the board of trustees.

Erected 1982 by Libertyville Centennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1882.

Location. 42° 17.117′ N, 87° 57.212′ W. Marker is in Libertyville, Illinois, in Lake County. It is at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue (Illinois Route 21) and Maple Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Milwaukee Avenue. The marker is on the west end of Sunrise Rotary Park.

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Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Libertyville IL 60048, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Libertyville Heritage Area (a few steps from this marker); Cook Memorial Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Rondout Train Robbery (approx. 2.9 miles away); General Dragoljub Mihailovich (approx. 3.3 miles away); Serbian Orthodox Monastery of St. Sava (approx. 3.4 miles away); Adlai Ewing Stevenson II (approx. 4.1 miles away); The Dwyer Settlement in Lake County, Illinois (approx. 5 miles away); Amos Bennett (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Libertyville.

Regarding Libertyville. Paul Neal, the Libertyville mayor listed on this marker,

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 28, 2025

2. Libertyville Marker

served in that role from 1981 to 1989. He was later the first executive director of the Central Lake County Water Agency. He died in 1992 at age 63 after a bout of cancer.

Also see . . .
1. History of Libertyville.

Excerpt: "In 1881, the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad (now the Metra Milwaukee District North commuter line) was extended to Libertyville. Rapid expansion of the Village resulted, with schools, churches, stores, mills, lumber yards, and homes being built. The Village was incorporated in 1882, with John Locke as its first president."

(Submitted on June 30, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Encyclopedia of Chicago: Libertyville, IL.

Excerpt: “George Vardin settled on a low ridge of ground on the west side of the upper Des Plaines River along the Chicago-Milwaukee Road in 1835. Vardin thought that he could profit by platting a village on his farm site, and called his plat ‘Vardin's Grove.' When a post office was established there in 1837, Vardin's Grove became known as Independence Grove. After postal authorities rejected that name, Archimedes Wynkoop rechristened the settlement as Libertyville.”

Libertyville Marker rear view, with Milwaukee Avenue in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 28, 2025

3. Libertyville Marker rear view, with Milwaukee Avenue in the background

(Submitted on July 1, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Downtown Libertyville, 1924 image. Click for full size.

Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum (DN-0077635), September 13, 1924

4. Downtown Libertyville, 1924

The photo shows Milwaukee Avenue in downtown Libertyville.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 30, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.