History:

It is generally held that George Dolton was the first settler in the area in 1835. Dolton established a homestead near a local Potawatomi Indian reservation which is now the site of Acme Steel. One year later, J.C. Matthews settled near Dolton and the area began to grow and diversify.

In 1836, the County government granted a river ferry license to Dolton and Matthews. The pair built a toll ferry that crossed the Calumet River at a place known as "Riverdale Crossing".

In 1840, Levi Osterhoudt came to the area and in 1842 he, along with Dolton, received permission from the State of Illinois to construct a toll bridge across the Calumet River. The bridge was constructed and known as "Dolton Bridge" and charged 25 cents for wagons, 2 cents for cattle and 1 cent per person or other animal. It is said that a traveling circus got a "real deal" when their elephant was allowed to cross for only 1 cent!

Dolton and Riverdale became so close and inner-twined that most people considered them one settlement. Families began to establish homesteads in the area, with notable names such as Berschinski, Kipley, Schmidt, Reich and Bachmann being important to the founding of the village.