Yorkville, IL: Our History with Ron Westphal Chevrolet
Ron Westphal's journey with Chevrolet began over 45 years ago, right in Yorkville, Illinois. Back then, his first dealership was tiny - so small the showroom could only fit one car! We've certainly come a long way since those humble beginnings.
Ron's upbringing in a farming family instilled in him a deep understanding of the value of a hard-earned dollar. He knows firsthand how much effort it takes to save up for a new car or truck, and that's why transparency and honesty with every client are so incredibly important to him. This commitment to integrity is at the core of our business, ensuring that you can always trust us to provide the best service and deals. Ron didn't come from money; he built his business from the ground up, and he's committed to helping you do the same. It was Ed Fanning of Fanning Oldsmobile who helped Ron secure his first dealership, a Subaru franchise. But Ron, a farm kid at heart, was never really a foreign car guy.
Growing up on a farm in Yorkville, he was all about pickup trucks, not luxury sedans or sports cars. Growing up on a farm in Yorkville, he was all about pickup trucks, not luxury sedans or sports cars. So, when the chance to get a Chevy franchise came along, he jumped at it immediately.
Eventually, Ron outgrew that small Yorkville dealership. That's when he moved to our current spot, right on the corner of Route 30 and 34, where Aurora meets Oswego. Even though we're in a new location, Ron remains incredibly proud of his Yorkville heritage. He even turned down a larger location in Naperville, IL, because he didn't want to be too far from the loyal clients he'd built in Yorkville. He deeply appreciates all our clients from Yorkville, IL. Our dealership is still just a quick 10-15 minute drive from Yorkville. Additionally, our service department offers convenient local pickup and delivery, as well as loaner vehicles for those longer service visits. Yorkville has truly grown right alongside Ron Westphal Chevy. What started as a small community now spans over 20 square miles, with plans for even more expansion. This growth mirrors our journey, and we are excited to continue growing and serving our community.
Yorkville, Illinois, has a history rooted in early settlement and the Fox River. Initially settled in 1836, it was officially incorporated as a village in 1874, encompassing the south side of the river. A separate village, Bristol, existed on the north side until 1957, when the two merged to form the United City of Yorkville, according to Yorkville, IL.
The General Slocum disaster, which led to an influx of German immigrants to Yorkville, IL, was a devastating steamboat fire and sinking that occurred on June 15, 1904, in the East River in New York City. Over 1,000 people, mostly women and children from the St. Mark's German Lutheran Church, perished during a chartered excursion. The incident remains one of the deadliest maritime disasters in U.S. history.
For more information on Yorkville, Illinois, history, please visit Yorkville, IL History.
