Ashburn, which got its name as the dumping site for the city’s ashes, was slow to experience growth at the beginning of the 20th century.
The neighborhood of Ashburn became part of Chicago in 1889. Despite the nearby railroad, the population remained largely static until World War I, when it became a Signal Corps training camp and experienced a population increase.
The construction of new housing and the expansion of industry after World War II drove the population up. The Ashburn neighborhood was an attraction for certain carnivals, as it had vast tracts of land during the pre-construction boom. In 1953, at the corner of Springfield and 83rd Street, a carnival including elephants set up tents each year.
The area is serviced by the Metra.
