1829
Hickory Creek
Fur traders Aaron Friend and Joseph Brown set up an outpost on the north side of Hickory Creek, one of the earliest settlements in Will County.
Source: Wikipedia: New Lenox, Illinois
Living in New Lenox, Illinois
A Will County village about 31 miles southwest of the Chicago Loop, with the Old Plank Road Trail running through its center.
01 — At a Glance
A Will County village built around the Commons.
New Lenox began as Van Horne Point and was named for Lenox, New York, the hometown of an early Rock Island Line supervisor. The village incorporated on October 4, 1946. The 2020 census counted 27,214 residents. The village Commons, anchored by the Performing Arts Pavilion, hosts concerts and festivals, and the Old Plank Road Trail runs right through town.
02 — History
The story of New Lenox.
New Lenox grew out of a fur trading outpost and a railroad town. A few chapters from its story.
1832
Uncle Billy’s post office
Billy Gougar opened a post office on his farm, where residents came to pick up their mail.
Source: Wikipedia: New Lenox, Illinois
1850s
Tracey becomes New Lenox
The town was first named Tracey for a Rock Island Railroad superintendent, then renamed by John van Duser for his hometown of Lenox, New York.
Source: Wikipedia: New Lenox, Illinois
1946
The village
New Lenox incorporated on October 4, 1946, led by F. Carlton Cole, Walter Baers and 44 other community leaders.
Source: Wikipedia: New Lenox, Illinois
2005
The Commons
The village opened the Commons, anchored by the Performing Arts Pavilion.
Source: Wikipedia: New Lenox, Illinois
03 — Education
A tradition of learning.
New Lenox is home to two of the three Lincoln-Way high schools, and its own district runs the younger grades.
Boundaries follow the address. Confirm school assignment for each address with the district before you buy.
Search HomesPublic · K–8
New Lenox School District 122
Elementary and middle schools across the village.
- New Lenox District 122 schools
Public · 9–12
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210
Serves New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena and Manhattan.
- Lincoln-Way Central (New Lenox)
- Lincoln-Way West (New Lenox)
- Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort)
Independent
Private school
A Catholic high school in the village.
- Providence Catholic High School
Source: Wikipedia: New Lenox, Illinois
04 — Lifestyle
Everyday life in New Lenox.
Summer in New Lenox happens at the Commons, and the trails reach in every direction.
Community
Summer Concert Series
National recording artists perform at the Commons each summer.
Festivals
Cruise the Commons, Christmas in the Commons, Fridays After Five and the Loyalty Day Parade.
French Market
Back since 2025, on Thursdays from May to September.
Parks & Outdoors
Old Plank Road Trail
A 22-mile paved trail with access at Village Hall.
Hickory Creek Preserve
A 2.8-mile paved trail and the one-room Schmuhl School Museum.
Hadley Valley Preserve
The Spring Creek Greenway Trail, open to walkers and riders.
Park District
40 Parks
About 600 acres of parks and athletic fields.
14 Facilities
Run by the New Lenox Community Park District.
Schmuhl School Museum
Owned and run by the New Lenox Historical Society.
Source: Wikipedia: New Lenox, Illinois