The name “Sandwich” was in use in DeKalb County as early as 1850, several years before it’s official adoption, revealing a more complex origin than the traditional account suggests.
In March 1850, a notice in the Illinois State Register reported the establishment of a new post office at “Sandwich” in DeKalb County. Because post office names required federal approval, this confirms that “Sandwich” was already an established and recognized name at that time. This predates commonly cited accounts of the town’s naming by six years!
During the early 1850s, a settlement began to develop around a railroad depot established on land provided by Almon Gage. The community was first known as Almon, and later as Newark Station, reflecting both its founder and its proximity to the nearby village of Newark. Yet even as these names were used, the name “Sandwich” continued to appear in official and informal contexts.
By 1853, local records note that the name “Sandwich” had been applied to the settlement, and it appears on the original 1854 plat of the town. For several years, these names existed side by side, a common occurrence in early railroad communities where usage often preceded formal designation.
One possible explanation for the early appearance of the name lies in personal connections. Dr. Merriman, an early resident of the community, was known to have ties to Congressman “Long John” Wentworth of Chicago. Wentworth’s hometown was Sandwich, New Hampshire, and this relationship may have helped introduce or popularize the name locally prior to its official adoption.
As the settlement grew, the need for a single, permanent name became increasingly important. Wentworth, who was instrumental in securing railroad service and reestablishing the local post office, played a key role in bringing that process to completion. In 1856, the name “Sandwich” was formally adopted, replacing Newark Station and giving the town a distinct and lasting identity.
Today, the name reflects a layered history—one shaped not only by railroads and development, but also by early usage, overlapping identities, and the personal connections that helped define the community from its earliest years.
Sources
- Illinois State Register, March 28, 1850 (post office notice)
- Stinson historical transcription (1853–1856 entries)
- Original plat of Sandwich (1854; recorded 1855)
- “Our Heritage” historical panel
- Arcadia Publishing, Images of America: Sandwich