Midlothian

Midlothian Municipal Water Report Info

The area now known as Midlothian Village - named after a historic district in Scotland - began as a simple milk stop along the Rock Island Railroad serving local farmers until the early 1900s. The community transformed when wealthy Chicago industrialists discovered the lush meadows and rolling fairways of the newly established Midlothian Country Club.

Seeking faster transportation to this peaceful retreat, they petitioned Rock Island to build a rail spur, soon bringing passenger trains from Chicago to this quiet community. The railroad constructed a station - complete with a potbelly stove for warmth - increasing traffic to the area.

By 1915, property developers recognized Midlothian's potential, purchasing farmland and subdividing it for residential development. The first general store opened, followed by a school and additional businesses serving the rapidly expanding population. The Midlothian Fire Department was organized in 1924.

With substantial population growth by 1927, community leaders decided to formally organize and incorporate. On March 17, Midlothian was officially incorporated as a village, taking its name from the golf club that had spurred its development. John H. Hamilton was elected as the first village president the following month.

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, housing construction continued as more families settled in Midlothian. The Kreis Brothers opened the Ford Garage (which housed the village's fire engine), while Chuck Cavallini began selling ice cream from his "Sweet Shop" (the Cavallini family later operated the renowned Cavallini's Restaurant - Home of the Chuck Wagon meals - serving residents from Midlothian and surrounding communities for 50 years before closing in 1989).

The Messenger newspaper's first edition was printed in 1929 by the Andrews brothers, above the old Largent store on 147th Street just west of Kildare. The inaugural editor was Kevin McCann, who later served as aide to General Dwight Eisenhower during World War II and assisted with the General's two books.

In 1949, the current Village Hall was constructed at 148th and Pulaski, providing a permanent home for municipal operations. The facilities have since been expanded and renovated, now housing administrative staff, public works departments and garages, fire department offices and Station 1, police department administrative offices, records, communications and investigative resources, community meeting spaces, and the Village Board Chambers. Monthly hearings for parking violations and housing code infractions are also conducted in the Chambers.