Naperville, IL: Our History with Ron Westphal Chevrolet
RON WESTPHAL CHEVROLET - FROM AURORA/OSWEGO
TO NAPERVILLE AND BEYOND.
It's interesting how things work out! Before we moved to our current location, we had the opportunity to set up shop in Naperville. But Ron Westphal didn't want to leave Kendall County. He felt that Naperville was just a bit too far for our loyal customers, and keeping our relationships with them has always been super important to him.
So, he decided on our current location, right at the corner of Route 30 and Route 34 in Aurora, Illinois. It's a pretty unique spot, right where Aurora meets Oswego. If you're trying to find us on Google, it can be a little tricky because our address is in Aurora, but the vet clinic and Shell gas station are actually in Oswego, and across Route 30, Sam's Club is located in Montgomery. We're truly situated at the intersection of two towns, and a portion of our property even extends into Oswego.
When we first opened here, Ogden Avenue (Route 34) was just a two-lane road! Although the roads are much larger now and the population has grown significantly, we're still close enough to Naperville that we receive a substantial amount of business from there. Plus, we make it easy for everyone to get service by offering loaner cars for longer repairs and extended service hours.Perhaps folks appreciate our no-hassle, down-to-earth approach, or maybe it's the fact that we're still located in Kendall County. You know, there's a Chevrolet dealership in Naperville just seven miles away. Still, they're owned by a big corporation, not a family like us. Ron Westphal owns only this one dealership, and he pours his heart and soul into it. It's essential to him that all our customers are treated fairly, warmly welcomed, and never feel like just another number.
If you're from Naperville and haven't visited us yet, why not give us a shot? Compare our laid-back style and our competitive pricing to what you've experienced in Naperville, and see who you prefer. We're pretty confident you'll like what you find here, and our pricing will make you feel confident about your choice.
Naperville, IL - How It All Began
Imagine this: It's 1831, and a determined bunch of pioneers, led by Joseph Naper and his family, decide to make their new home right on the DuPage River. They called it Naper's Settlement. Can you picture it? Just a small group of folks, building things from scratch - a sawmill, a trading post, even a school! Their sheer grit and adventurous spirit really paid off, because by 1839, their little settlement had grown so much it was even named the county seat. Pretty impressive, right?
Growing Pains and Big Leaps
Naperville's location really took off with the arrival of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad - that was a total game-changer! This new transportation hub, along with the existing stagecoach routes, really fueled the town's growth and helped its economy boom. For almost 30 years, from 1839 to 1868, it actually was the county seat of DuPage County, which just shows how quickly it developed.
All sorts of industries started popping up, too, like nurseries, breweries, and quarries, all thanks to that handy railroad. But the biggest transformation probably happened in the late 20th century. That's when Naperville truly blossomed into the bustling, thriving Chicago suburb we know today, experiencing a massive population surge and tons of new development.
Keeping History Alive
Naperville has done a fantastic job of holding onto its roots. Places like the Riverwalk, and the Centennial Beach are perfect examples. They're not just awesome recreational spots; they also offer a wonderful peek into the past. Of course, just like any place, Naperville's history isn't all sunshine and roses. There have been periods of social exclusion and some really tough times tied to its rapid expansion, including its past as a sundown town. It's crucial to remember and understand all parts of a place's journey, even the less comfortable ones, to truly grasp its story and appreciate where it is today.