Addison's earliest days stretch back to 1832, when the area was settled by pioneers Hezekiah Dunklee and Mason Smith. Originally known as "Dunklee's Grove," the community served as a quiet agricultural outpost. In 1839, the settlement was renamed Addison, a name believed to have been chosen either in honor of Addison, New York, or Addison County, Vermont, reflecting the New England roots of many early settlers.
Throughout the 19th century, the village remained a modest farming community. Large influxes of German immigrants arrived in the mid-1800s, bringing with them a strong agricultural work ethic and establishing several Lutheran churches and schools that deeply influenced the town's early culture. Addison officially incorporated as a village in 1884.
The real transformation of Addison began after World War II. As the Chicago metropolitan area rapidly expanded, Addison transitioned from a rural farming village into a bustling residential and industrial suburb. The 1950s and 1960s saw explosive population growth and the development of large tracts of housing and extensive industrial parks.
In modern history, Addison has continued to evolve. Its demographics have become richly diverse, mirroring the broader changes in the Chicago suburbs. Over recent decades, local government has focused on modernizing infrastructure, managing flood plains, and revitalizing the historic Lake Street corridor to support continued economic and community development.