1836Government
Established in 1836, the village of Lemont stands as one of the oldest American communities in northeastern Illinois.
1837Architecture
Construction of the I&M Canal began in 1837 and stands as one of the last major canal undertakings in the United States (the Hennepin Canal opened in 1907).
1840Government
Lemont was originally known as Keepataw (after a Potawatomi chief) and a post office was established in 1840 as Keepatau.
1850History
The name Lemont (literally, 'the mountain' in French) was chosen in 1850 at the suggestion of Lemuel Brown, the postmaster and justice of the peace, or perhaps by his brother Na...
1854Government
By 1854, railroads transported goods faster than water, and the I&M became obsolete as Lemont evolved into a railroad community; the village was incorporated on June 9, 1873.
1859Infrastructure
An 1859 item in the Chicago Daily Tribune had this to say: “The Athens and DesPlaines quarries, situated on the Illinois and Michigan canal, embrace 335 acres of the finest ston...
1861Military
Lemont is credited with being the largest recruiting station for the Union Army during the American Civil War, and the Old Stone Church, built in 1861 of limestone, was used as ...
1871Architecture
Lemont limestone was used to build the Chicago Water Tower, a building that "gained special significance as one of the few buildings to survive the destructive path of the Great...
1900Infrastructure
In 1900, the larger Sanitary and Ship Canal went into operation, carrying both wastes and larger, more modern barges.
1920History
By about 1920, the quarries declined as styles changed and builders began to use Bedford limestone from Indiana and less expensive materials like concrete.
1927Government
The tournament was played at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, which was founded in 1927.
1933Infrastructure
All use of the I&M Canal ended in 1933, with the opening of the canal's modern successor—the Illinois Waterway.
1946Military
After the war, Argonne National Laboratory was designated as the first national laboratory in the United States on July 1, 1946.
1976Disaster
=== Tornadoes ===
On June 13, 1976, at 5:18 PM, a killer tornado struck Lemont and took three lives.
1984Government
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor as the nation's first National Heritage Corridor.
1991Disaster
On March 27, 1991, Lemont was again hit by a tornado.
2006Infrastructure
== Sports ==
In 2006, the Lemont Little League All-Star team traveled to the 60th Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
2007Architecture
In 2007, the Interstate 355 tollway extension opened, providing Lemont with more direct access to the Chicago expressway system.
2008Architecture
The monument was dedicated in 2008 in Legion Park at the east end of Main Street, opposite the Metra Station.
2009Sports
In 2009, a new group of 11-year-old All-Stars from Lemont won the State Championship for a second consecutive year.
2016History
In 2016, the Lemont Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
2017Military
Lemont High School received the Blue Ribbon award in 2017.
2019Military
Saints Cyril and Methodius School received the Blue Ribbon award in 2019.
2020History
== Demographics ==
As of the 2020 census there were 17,629 people, 5,911 households, and 4,606 families residing in the village.
2025Education
Damage to the high school alone was estimated at $500,000 (equivalent to $2,830,000 in 2025).