Plainfield, IL: Our History with Ron Westphal Chevy
Ron Westphal Chevrolet has quite a history with Plainfield! When we first moved from Yorkville to our current spot on the corner of Route 30 and 34 in Aurora, there wasn't much around except cornfields separating us from downtown Plainfield.
A Growing Community
Boy, have things changed! Both our dealership and Plainfield have grown so much that we're practically neighbors now. We've grown alongside Plainfield, from a location surrounded by cornfields to a thriving part of the community. Residential Plainfield is just minutes from our doors, and we're proud to have many clients from there.
Remembering the 1990 Tornado
We feel a special bond with Plainfield, especially remembering the devastating tornado that hit in 1990. Our dealership was open that day, and it was so dark we couldn't even see the trees across the street. It turned out the tornado's path was less than a mile from us - you could even see it in the cornfield.
Sadly, we saw many Plainfield clients come to us after that due to the extensive damage. Some of our own employees even lost homes and family members in the storm. It was a tough time, but it really solidified connections to the community.
Plainfield has truly blossomed since then. There are far fewer cornfields and many more homes, and its vibrant downtown now draws people from all over. We're proud to continue serving the Plainfield community, and with our service loaner car program, keeping your Chevy running smoothly is a breeze!
Plainfield, IL has a unique history. Around 1820 people were attracted to the DuPage River and started to make a settlement there. They created a sawmill and prospered. Over 200 years later, those humble beginnings have grown into the town we now know as Plainfield.
From Sawmill to Suburb
The official founding of Plainfield traces back to 1834, when Chester Ingersoll laid out the first 13 blocks around what is now the Village Green. Later, Levi Arnold expanded the settlement, forming what is now the historic district. The founding of the Plainfield Township government followed in 1850. For many years, Plainfield was a quiet, rural community. However, in the last 20 years or so, it has experienced a significant population growth, as has Ron Westphal Chevrolet, transforming it into the bustling Chicago suburb it is today.
Preserving the Past, Building the Future
Plainfield values its history, and you can see its effort in preserving it. They have several historic districts and landmarks, including the Ingersoll House, which is the oldest residence in town. They are also focused on revitalizing the historic downtown area, especially Lockport Street, which now draws people from all over.
Plainfield Today
Today, Plainfield is a vibrant and growing community spanning Will and Kendall counties. It is a mixed bag of residential, commercial, and residential people-friendly spaces, featuring a strong park system, easy access to the DuPage River, and a variety of community events.
The Tornado
That date, August 28, 1990, is etched in many memories. Between 3:15 and 3:45 p.m. CDT, a massive F5 tornado tore through Kendall and Will counties. The devastating storm, claimed 29 lives and injured 350 people. The tornado carved a path of destruction 16.4 miles long and was extremely wide, ranging from 600 yards to half a mile across. Damages were estimated to be $160 million, with 470 homes destroyed and another 1,000 damaged.
To this day, it remains the only F5/EF5-rated tornado ever documented in the United States during August.
This tornado was also notably difficult to see. It was hidden by low clouds and rain, which is why there are no known photos or videos of it.
Most tornadoes come from the southwest, but this one was different; it approached from the northwest.
Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to the people who were affected by this genuine and unprecedented tragedy.
