The I&M Canal was used until
the early 1900s. It was succeeded as a major conduit for shipment
of cargo by the parallel Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The Sanitary
and Ship Canal, which is presently in use, is the sole water connection
between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.
Lemont is home to the Argonne National Laboratory,
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club (home of the PGA Tour's Western
Open and now the PGA Tour's BMW Championship). Sacred architecture
is another strong suit of Lemont whose skyline is dominated by two
landmark religious edifices: the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago
and SS. Cyril and Methodius church in the 'Polish Cathedral style'.
Interestingly enough both are situated in the sides of hills, giving
an even more dramatic backdrop to their monumental architecture.
Lemont was featured in the movie Save the Last
Dance starring Julia Stiles. The first five minutes of the movie
take place in various areas of Lemont. Lemont High School was depicted
as Johnson's white Midwestern high school. Portions of the front
of the high school were shown along with the main staircase inside
the school. A Lemont home and flower shop and Theo J. Gorski &
Sons Bus Company[1] were also featured in the beginning of the film.
Lemont has also been featured in The Hunter (1980), Straight Talk
(1992), Children on Their Birthdays (2002), The Poker House (2008),
Witless Protection staring Larry the Cable Guy (2008), Straight
Talk (1992), and Under the Bus (2000).Furthermore, several commercials
and a made for tv movie "Enememies,(2006)" were filmed
in the downtown location.
In 2006, the Lemont Little League All-Star team
traveled to the 60th Little League World Series in South Williamsport,
Pennsylvania. The team, which represented the Great Lakes region,
received 4th place after losing to the Beaverton, Oregon team and
was the only team to beat the champions from Georgia. Upon returning
home, the Lemont team received a parade down State Street in honor
of their achievements. In 2007 R. Kelly filmed a music video for
the song Rock Star at The Carousel, a local bar in Lemont. Later
in 2007, the Interstate 355 tollway extension opened, providing
Lemont with more direct access to the Chicago expressway system.
This is expected to generate major growth over the coming years.
Academy Award winner Diablo Cody, writer of the film Juno, was reared
in Lemont. In 2008 the Lemont Girls 10-11 year old Softball All
Star team went down to Beardstown, Illinois after defeating Brookfield
in a two game win. Once at Beardstown, the team defeated the Rock
Falls team in a two game streak, and won the Championship. This
feat has not been accomplished in over 30 years.
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