Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County, Illinois, located about 28 miles west of Near North Side, Chicago and Lake Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 55,416.

Related Topics:
County seat - DuPage County, Illinois - Near North Side, Chicago - Lake Michigan - 2000 census

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The city dates its founding to land claims made in 1837 and 1838 (following the Indian Removal Act) by Erastus Gary and two Wheaton brothers, Jesse and Warren. A plat for the city was filed with the county in 1853. The brothers led a successful campaign in 1867 to make Wheaton the county seathttp://patsabin.com/dupage/courtrecords.htm.

Related Topics:
1837 - 1838 - Indian Removal Act - Erastus Gary - 1853 - 1867

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Wheaton has 45 churches within its limits (not to mention thirty in the bordering unincorporated areas) and is rumored to have more churches per square mile than any other U.S. city, a density exceeded in the world only by one or more cities in Italy. The rumor is based on the many churches which line downtown streets.

Related Topics:
Church - Italy

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