James Dunton's House

Who Was James Dunton?

James Dunton was Asa Dunton's younger son. He arrived in the area with his family when he was only 14 years old. For a time they lived in a log cabin but when he grew older he built his own home on his farmland in the area that would become Arlington Heights.

First Home

In 1849, James and his wife Esther built their first home along the Potawatomi Indian trail (Arlington Heights Road)near James's parents and brother, William. The house still stands today and is located at 627 N. Arlington Heights Road.

Farmland

James farmed his 160 acres. His land ran from Euclid Avenue to Hawthorne Street and from Arlington Heights Road to Belmont. His farm included 10 acres of cucumbers. The Dunton family planted a grove of pine and spruce trees on their land. Many of these old trees can still be seen today and were the inspiration for name of nearby Pine Street.

General Store

In 1857, James and Young Miller opened a general store and a cheese factory.

Growing Family

James and Esther Dunton had 8 children. They outgrew their first home, so they built a much larger home in 1869.

New Home

Their new home was just down the street at 619 Arlington Heights Road.

In 1871, people stood up on the flat roof and watched the Great Chicago Fire burning.

This home has a special plaque in front chosen by The Bicentennial Committee as an important historical landmark.