Boulder Hill: History with Ron Westphal Chevrolet.
The Story of Boulder Hill: From Stock Farm to Our Suburban Home.
Hello neighbors! If you live in this part of the Fox Valley, you know Boulder Hill is a key part of the landscape. But have you ever paused while driving down Boulder Hill Pass and wondered how this unique spot, tucked right in between Oswego and Montgomery, actually came to be? I've always felt there was something special about this area, and as someone from the team at Ron Westphal Chevy, I can tell you firsthand-this place has been absolutely central to our own history and success. It's a community built on strong local roots, and we're proud to share those roots. Boulder Hill isn't just a place on a map; it's a fantastic little slice of post-war Americana, and its story is really the story of the entire Fox Valley booming.
The Land Before the Homes
To start the story, we actually have to go way back to the early 1900s. The huge piece of land that became Boulder Hill wasn't a subdivision at all-it was the beautiful, sprawling Boulder Hill Stock Farm, owned by a gentleman named J.H. Bereman. He was a successful businessman who used the estate to raise prize-winning Percheron horses and cattle. This part of Illinois was known for breeding excellent horses well-suited for farm life.
But after World War II, everything changed. Veterans came home hungry for houses where they could raise their families, and the GI Bill made financing accessible. Plus, big industrial plants like Caterpillar were building facilities nearby, creating a huge demand for local housing.
The Birth of a Community
In 1955, developer Don L. Dise bought the old stock farm with a vision to create an affordable, comprehensive, master-planned community. The first families moved in around 1956, and the development just exploded. Boulder Hill wasn't just a collection of houses; it was a self-contained community with its own distinct identity. It had schools, churches, and even a local gathering spot, proving that people wanted a place to live that felt connected, even if it was unincorporated. For decades, it was actually the largest community in all of Kendall County! The residents here-whether their address said Montgomery, Oswego, or just Boulder Hill-were forging a new suburban life together. Everyone shared in building that vision, making it a truly unique place to grow up and raise a family.
Ron Westphal Chevy and the Boulder Hill Connection
That incredible, post-war boom and the sense of community is exactly where our story at Ron Westphal Chevy truly takes root.
When Ron Westphal decided to move his dealership from Yorkville, he was looking for a spot that would be accessible to his loyal customers, especially those flooding into the rapidly growing areas like Oswego and Boulder Hill. He chose the corner of Routes 30 and 34, a location that, back in the mid-1980s, was surrounded by nothing but cornfields!
It was a bold move, but it was driven by the foresight to be right at the epicenter of growth. Today, if you look around our dealership, you see the proof-we're literally at the junction where Aurora, Montgomery, and Oswego meet, and right down the road from the vibrant community of Boulder Hill.
We're not just a showroom across the highway; we've been your neighbors for decades. When the dealership first opened, many of the cars we sold were driven straight back to those growing Boulder Hill neighborhoods. We've seen the kids we sold first cars to return years later to buy vehicles for their own growing families. It's this long-term, multi-generational connection that we value most. We understand the local rhythm-from navigating the morning rush on Route 30 to driving kids to soccer practice in the Oswego area-and we strive to provide a service experience that respects your time and your commitment to this community.
- You helped us grow: We are proud to say that a huge amount of our business comes from the wonderful families in Boulder Hill and the surrounding areas. Your support over the decades allowed a small-town dealership to grow and flourish right alongside the community.
- A Familiar Face: Whether you were moving into a brand new home in the 1950s or moved into the area just last year, your need for reliable vehicles and honest service has been the driving force behind everything we do.
Ron Westphal Chevy has watched this area transform from nothing but cornfields and a two-lane road into the bustling, shopping and eating area it is today. And every step of the way, the people of Boulder Hill have been right there with us.
So, the next time you drive past our showroom, or pull in for service, know that you're not just a customer-you're part of the history that allowed Ron Westphal Chevy to become a landmark in this amazing part of the Fox Valley. Thank you for making our story possible!
