The village was briefly abandoned in 1832 as families fled to Fort Dearborn during the Black Hawk War, but most returned after fighting had ceased.

Stone quarries exported limestone, breweries produced alcohol, and three separate plant nurseries flourished.

By World War I, the largest employer was Naperville Manufacturing Co., which eventually became of the nation's leading furniture exporters.

The town's first major population boom was in the 1950s, as increased ease of traveled enhanced Naperville's place a Chicago suburb.

[3] In 2019, North Central College announced their plans to purchase and demolish the P. E. Kroehler mansion, owned by Little Friends, for the purpose of rezoning and redeveloping the property with new academic buildings.