Batavia history

Batavia is a town with deep-seated traditions and a lasting sense of times gone by. The village has fully transitioned into the 21st century, but glimpses of yesteryear are still seen in the quaint riverfront walks and small town backdrop. Batavia was originally founded in 1833. Its setting along the Fox River was a practical and picturesque spot that provided early inhabitants with a beautiful homestead and a thriving livelihood. Interestingly enough, the villages' major economic base stemmed from windmill manufacturing. At the turn of the century Batavia was producing more windmills than any other location in the world -- a standing that earned the little Chicago suburb an honorary title as 'The Windmill City.'

Windmills weren't the only thing that put Batavia on the map. After the Great Fire of 1871, large amounts of stone were needed to fulfill Chicago's reconstruction orders (which called for nonflammable materials as opposed to wood this time around). A quarry in Batavia was tapped and became a prominent resource for city developers during the rebuilding stages. Incidentally, the hole created by the mining lent itself perfectly to the later addition of the Quarry Park Swimming Pool, a favorite summertime spot for present-day Batavia locals.

Nowadays Batavia is a state-of-the-art metropolis with over 25,000 residents, a top-ranked school system, a revitalized downtown district, and a strong sense of community culture.