Walk through downtown Arlington Heights today and you will pass the same stretch of Arlington Heights Road where, in 1871, neighbors climbed onto the roof of a three-story Victorian home to watch the glow of the Great Chicago Fire burning 22 miles away. That home, the Dunton Manor House at 619 N. Arlington Heights Road, still anchors one of Cook County’s most walkable and community-oriented neighborhoods. Built by James Dunton in 1869, the son of village founder Asa Dunton, this ornate residence connects today’s residents to the pioneering families who transformed prairie land along the old Potawatomi trail into the thriving northwest suburb we know today. Just steps from the Arlington Heights Metra station, downtown restaurants like Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Pub and Hey Nonny, and annual traditions like Frontier Days and Arlington Alfresco, the Dunton House stands as a tangible reminder that this community has always been built around connection, charm, and pride of place.
What Makes Dunton House Significant
The village itself was originally named “Dunton” in honor of the founding family before being renamed Arlington Heights in 1874, making this one of the few Chicago-area suburbs that literally owes its identity to a single family.
William Dunton, Asa’s eldest son, convinced the Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad to lay tracks through the area in 1853, donating 16 acres of his own land for just $350. The resulting Metra Northwest Line still connects Arlington Heights residents to downtown Chicago in about 51 minutes today.
James Dunton built the stately three-story Dunton Manor House at 619 N. Arlington Heights Road in 1869, featuring ornately-carved woodwork, two fireplaces, wrap-around porches, and a flat roof that famously served as a viewing platform when the Great Chicago Fire lit up the sky 22 miles away in 1871.
Asa Dunton’s original 1847 clapboard home at 612 N. Arlington Heights Road still stands as the oldest surviving residence in the village, while his son James’s grander 1869 Dunton Manor House at 619 N. Arlington Heights Road became the more famous landmark due to its dramatic Great Chicago Fire connection.
The Dunton family legacy in Arlington Heights spans three generations. Asa Dunton, a stonecutter from New York, registered three land claims in 1837 after arriving the previous year. He paid just $1.25 per acre for 160 acres of public lands, establishing his homestead on the northeast corner of what is now Arlington Heights Road and Northwest Highway. His son James Dunton built his first home at 623 N. Arlington Heights Road in 1849 after his marriage to Esther, and later constructed a stately three-story home at 619 N. Arlington Heights Road in 1869. This impressive residence would become famous when, in 1871, local residents gathered on its flat roof to watch the Great Chicago Fire burning 22 miles away – a story still told by longtime Arlington Heights families today.
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William Dunton, Asa’s other son, was actually the first homeowner in the village – he married Almeda Wood in 1845 and built his home near the corner of Arlington Heights Road and Northwest Highway, close to where a statue honoring him stands today. William played a crucial role in the village’s development when he convinced the Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad to lay tracks through his property in 1853, leading to the construction of the first Dunton train station in 1854. This railroad connection transformed the small farming community into a thriving village, enabling residents to ship dairy products, grain, and vegetables to Chicago markets.
The Dunton family’s influence extended beyond their homesteads. Asa served as Arlington Heights’ first Postmaster in 1855, operating the post office from his home. The pine and spruce trees he planted – some still standing more than 170 years later north of Euclid Avenue and east of Arlington Heights Road – gave “Pine Street” its name. These living monuments, along with the Dunton family homes, connect modern residents to the village’s founding era.
The Dunton family’s impact on Arlington Heights is still visible today. Asa’s original 1847 home at 612 N. Arlington Heights Road remains the oldest house in the village – a private residence that has witnessed nearly 180 years of community history. While James Dunton’s 1869 three-story home at 619 N. Arlington Heights Road was eventually demolished, its story lives on in local lore. The Arlington Heights Historical Museum preserves artifacts and documents related to the Dunton family, ensuring that future generations can learn about the founders who gave the village its original name.
The Dunton Family: Three Generations of Village Founders
Asa Dunton (circa 1800-1870s) was the patriarch who established the family in what would become Arlington Heights. A stonecutter by trade, he moved his family from New York to Illinois, initially settling in Lemont where the men worked in quarries cutting stone for Chicago buildings. In 1847, he returned to his 1837 land claim and built the clapboard home that still stands at 612 N. Arlington Heights Road – the oldest surviving residence in the village.
William Dunton (1819-1890s), Asa’s eldest son, became the village’s most influential early resident. He married Almeda Wood in 1845 and built his home near the intersection of Arlington Heights Road and Northwest Highway. William’s greatest contribution came when he convinced the Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad to lay tracks through his property in 1853, donating 16 acres of his land for just $350. This railroad connection, completed in 1854, transformed the isolated farming community into a viable commuter suburb.
James Dunton (1825-1900s), another of Asa’s sons, resided in his father’s home until his 1849 marriage to Esther. He built his first home at 623 N. Arlington Heights Road, and later constructed the impressive three-story residence at 619 N. Arlington Heights Road in 1869. This home became famous during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, when local residents gathered on its flat roof to watch the conflagration burning 22 miles away – a dramatic scene that has been recounted through generations of Arlington Heights families.
Today, the Dunton family legacy is preserved at several locations. A bronze statue of William Dunton stands at the corner of Arlington Heights Road and Northwest Highway, commemorating his role as the village’s first homeowner and railroad pioneer. The Arlington Heights Historical Museum at 500 N. Vail Avenue maintains artifacts and documents related to the founding family, including objects connected to William Dunton’s life and times.
Asa Dunton’s 1847 home at 612 N. Arlington Heights Road has stood for nearly 180 years – making it not just the oldest house in Arlington Heights but one of the oldest surviving residences in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. This private residence continues to connect the present to the village’s founding era, a tangible link to the pioneering families who carved a community from the Illinois prairie.
The Dunton Legacy: How One Family Shaped Arlington Heights
The Dunton family’s contributions to Arlington Heights went far beyond their homesteads. Their most lasting impact was transforming an isolated prairie settlement into a connected commuter suburb. When William Dunton convinced the Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad to build through the area in 1853, he didn’t just bring trains – he brought opportunity.
The railroad connection opened markets for local farmers, who could now ship dairy products, vegetables, and grain directly to Chicago. German immigrants arrived during the 1840s and 1850s, establishing truck farms and nurseries. John Klehm, for example, started a nursery in 1856 that grew cherry, apple, and pear trees. By the late 1850s, the area had become noted for its agricultural production, all made possible by the transportation link that William Dunton helped secure.
Living Near Dunton House: What the Neighborhood Offers Today
The Dunton House corridor along Arlington Heights Road has evolved from frontier farmland into one of Cook County’s most desirable walkable neighborhoods. Today’s residents enjoy the same central location that made the Dunton family’s homestead so valuable, with the added benefits of modern amenities just steps away.
Downtown Arlington Heights has transformed into a destination in its own right. The Arlington Heights Metra station, just two blocks from the historic Dunton corridor, puts residents on the Union Pacific Northwest Line with a direct 51-minute ride to Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago. This is the same rail connection that William Dunton fought to bring to the village in 1853.
Within walking distance of the Dunton House, residents can grab a pint at Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Pub on Vail Avenue, catch live music at Hey Nonny across from Harmony Park, or sample craft beers at Beer on the Wall. The Saturday Farmers Market on Fremont Street runs from May through October, and summer brings Arlington Alfresco, when downtown streets close to traffic and outdoor dining tables spill onto the sidewalks.
Downtown Arlington Heights at a Glance
- Metra Commute: 51 minutes to Chicago’s Ogilvie Transportation Center
- Dining & Nightlife: Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Pub, Hey Nonny, Arlington Ale House, Cortland’s Garage
- Weekly Events: Farmers Market (Saturdays, May-October)
- Summer Highlights: Arlington Alfresco outdoor dining, Frontier Days Festival (July 4th weekend)
- Schools: District 25 (elementary/middle), District 214 (high school) – both highly rated
The annual Frontier Days Festival, held every Fourth of July weekend at Recreation Park, draws thousands to what the Daily Herald has repeatedly named the finest festival in the northwest suburbs. This five-day celebration features three stages of live music, carnival rides, a parade, and community events that embody the same spirit of neighborly gathering the Duntons helped establish more than 170 years ago.
Schools, Commute, and Real Estate Near Dunton House
Families considering the downtown Arlington Heights area benefit from strong local schools. Arlington Heights School District 25 serves elementary and middle school students, ranking among the top 10% of Illinois districts according to SchoolDigger. High school students attend Township High School District 214, home to Niche A+ rated schools including John Hersey High School and Prospect High School. These educational options, combined with safe neighborhoods and community-focused programming, make the Dunton corridor appealing to families looking for suburban quality with urban convenience.
Exploring the Dunton House Area for Yourself
The best way to understand what makes the Dunton corridor special is to walk it yourself. Start at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum at 500 N. Vail Avenue, where exhibits and artifacts tell the story of the Dunton family and early settlement. From there, stroll north along Arlington Heights Road to see both Asa’s 1847 homestead at 612 and James’s 1869 Dunton Manor House at 619. The private residences can be appreciated from the sidewalk, and a historical plaque marks the James Dunton House as a Bicentennial landmark.
Is the Dunton House open to the public?
The Dunton Manor House at 619 N. Arlington Heights Road is a private residence, not open for public tours. However, visitors can view the exterior from the sidewalk, where a Bicentennial landmark plaque marks its historical significance. The nearby Arlington Heights Historical Museum offers exhibits about the Dunton family and the village’s founding.
Why is Dunton House significant to Arlington Heights?
The Dunton House represents a direct connection to Arlington Heights’ founding family. The village was originally named “Dunton” in 1855 in honor of Asa Dunton, who staked the first land claim in 1837. His son James built the manor house in 1869, and in 1871, neighbors famously climbed onto its roof to watch the Great Chicago Fire burning 22 miles away.
What is downtown Arlington Heights like near Dunton House?
Downtown Arlington Heights is a vibrant, walkable area with restaurants, pubs, and entertainment. Highlights include Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Pub, Hey Nonny live music venue, and craft breweries. The Metra station offers a 51-minute commute to Chicago. Summer brings Arlington Alfresco outdoor dining and Frontier Days Festival, while the Saturday Farmers Market runs May through October.
How are the schools near downtown Arlington Heights?
The downtown Arlington Heights area is served by highly-rated school districts. Elementary and middle school students attend Arlington Heights School District 25, which ranks in the top 10% of Illinois districts. High schoolers attend Township High School District 214, home to A+ rated schools like John Hersey High School and Prospect High School. Both districts are known for strong academics, extracurricular programs, and community involvement.
Conclusion
The Dunton House is more than a historic landmark. It is a physical thread connecting today’s Arlington Heights residents to the families who first saw potential in this prairie land along an old Potawatomi trail. When you walk past the ornate Victorian porches at 619 N. Arlington Heights Road, you are tracing the same path that Asa Dunton walked in 1837, and standing where neighbors gathered in 1871 to watch Chicago burn on the horizon.
For those drawn to neighborhoods with character, strong schools, easy commutes, and genuine community spirit, the areas around Dunton House offer exactly that combination. This is a place where history is not just preserved in museums, but woven into the fabric of daily life, from the walkable downtown streets to the annual festivals that bring neighbors together.
Whether you are researching Arlington Heights for a potential move, curious about the story behind a local landmark, or simply exploring what makes this northwest suburb special, the Dunton House reminds us that the best neighborhoods are built on more than just real estate. They are built on stories worth joining.
