Prior to European settlement, the land that now makes up Orland Township was inhabited by indigenous tribes, most notably the Potawatomi. The region's rich, fertile soils and numerous glacial lakes and sloughs made it an excellent hunting and gathering ground. Following the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, the Potawatomi were forced to relocate, opening the area to westward expansion.
European settlement in Orland Township began in the 1830s, primarily by English, Irish, and German immigrants drawn to the area's agricultural potential. The township itself was formally organized in 1850. For decades, the local economy was driven entirely by farming, with dairy and grain serving as the primary outputs. The construction of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway in 1879 was a watershed moment, connecting the rural farming community directly to the booming markets of Chicago. This spurred the initial growth of the village of Orland Park, which was incorporated in 1892.
Following World War II, Orland Township experienced a dramatic transformation. The post-war suburban boom, combined with the widespread adoption of the automobile and the expansion of regional highways, shifted the area from a rural farming district to a rapidly growing residential suburb. The 1970s and 1980s saw explosive growth with the development of major retail centers, most notably the opening of Orland Square Mall in 1976. Today, Orland Township represents a mature, economically vital suburban center that reflects the broader evolution of the Chicago metropolitan area.
