An Historical Perspective

1830   Prairie adjacent to Lake Michigan is platted for settlement by the United States government. The Township of Jefferson is established, consisting of thirty six square miles, within the boundaries of future streets North to Devon Avenue, and Western to Harlem Avenue.

1833   Town of Chicago established with a population of three hundred. 

1837   Abram Gale (1796-1889) arrives in Chicago from New York state. He bought prairie, built a farm and residence near present day Mulligan and Bloomingdale, miles from the City limits.  William Sayre also arrives from New York state, claiming land west of Gale’s, and marries Harriet Lovett in 1839. Theirs is the first settler’s marriage recorded in Jefferson Township.  City of Chicago is incorporated.

1848   The railroads arrive, including the Chicago and Pacific running through Gale’s and Sayre’s land, at their request.

1870s   Area has farms that grow hay, corn and oats. Grand Avenue, formerly Whiskey Point Road, and prior to that a Native American trail is the farmer’s connection with Chicago.

1873   Sayre Station is established, will be renamed Montclare in 1875.  Montclare Post Office established with Thomas Rutherford as Postmaster, it is the only post office serving southwest Jefferson Township. A train stop is also
established for the later Galewood subdivision.