A sign welcomes visitors to Bensenville westbound on Green Street.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
Bensenville, home to 18,600 residents, sits in the far northeast portion of DuPage County, on the west side of O'Hare International Airport.
In fact, it was the town's opposition to O'Hare expansion that grabbed headlines for years - a fight ultimately lost to Chicago, which scooped up blocks of Bensenville neighborhoods in order to expand airport boundaries.
Of late, Bensenville and other members of the Suburban O'Hare Commission, an advocacy group of towns near the airport, hired consultants to research ways to reduce airport noise, and plan to bring recommendations to Chicago's Department of Aviation.
The village encompasses more than five square miles, with an industrial park on the north end of town, and homes, parks, churches, schools and other businesses on the south.
Founded in 1884, Bensenville was named by early settler Henry Schuette, who said the town reminded him of his former home of Bensen, Germany.
We spent some time exploring Bensenville, photographing things around town that make it unique.
Look for a new "Icons of ..." town gallery every Sunday at dailyherald.com/galleries and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. On our social media sites, share your favorite Bensenville photos with us by using #shareyoursuburb.
And tell us what photos are your favorites. Which ones stir a memory for you? Where do you love to go in town?
The 115 E. Green Street Building houses offices for a taxi company and substance abuse treatment firm, among others.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
Bensenville's village hall is located at 12 S. Center St., across from the Metra station.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
The two-screen Bensenville Theatre at 9 S. Center St. is now showing films in digital projection.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
A stone and plaque next to village hall honors former U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, an opponent of O'Hare Airport expansion plans.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
The Green Street Tap House is planned for a vacant restaurant space at 120 W. Green St. in downtown Bensenville.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
Five generations have operated the Geils Funeral Home on York Road. The name is familiar to locals; John Geils was Bensenville's village president from 1985 to 2009.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
Victory Auto Wreckers, 710 E. Green St., best known for its TV commercials, went through an expansion and renovation this year, which included paving over a dirt parking lot.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
Flags fly at William A. Redmond Park, a former stormwater detention basin converted into a recreational space. It was dedicated in August 1997 in honor of the former Illinois House speaker from Bensenville.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
Robert Morris University baseball and softball games are played at Redmond Park in Bensenville.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
An artificial turf field at Redmond Park is home to youth football games.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
Grills are available under a shelter overlooking a lake at Redmond Park in Bensenville.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
A post in Redmond Park includes the English and German message of "May Peace Prevail on Earth." A plaque at the bottom of the post says "Girl Scouts Celebrate 85 Years Jr. Troop 32."
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
The Ukrainian Christian Pentecostal Church, 644 S. John St., offers services four times a week.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
A sign promotes a new office building at 340 County Line Road, down the block from Redmond Park and The Edge Ice Arena.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
Youth hockey players practice inside The Edge Ice Arena, which is home to the Chicago Blues hockey club, Robert Morris University teams, as well as other high school and youth teams. It was the Chicago Blackhawks practice facility at one time.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
A statue of Mary and Baby Jesus is in the courtyard next to St. Alexis Catholic Church at 400 W. Wood St.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
White Pines Golf Dome, measuring 300 feet wide, 300 feet long and 100 feet high, is open for driving range practice during the winter months at 500 W. Jefferson Ave.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
A sign advertises coming additions to Fenton High School, including a new main entrance, cafeteria and classrooms.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
A new Speedway gas station will be built at the corner of Irving Park and Marshall roads in Bensenville.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com
Shopping carts are lined up outside a new Jewel-Osco expected to open soon at Grand Avenue and York Road. The store will be in a building that formerly housed a Dominick's.
Christopher Placek/cplacek@dailyherald.com