How We Lost Our Identity is a Mystery

The opening of New Century Town occurred during America's Bicentennial year of 1976. The theme throughout both residential communities - the townhomes of Republic Square and the condominiums of Independence Square - was intended to celebrate and pay tribute to a number of American patriots. 

The townhomes of Republic Square (bordered by Hawthorn Parkway, Indianwood, Greenleaf and Century Park) paid homage to a variety of individuals who made their mark on our country: American philosopher John Dewey, attorney and statesman Henry Clay, American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, and the Father of American Music, Stephen Foster.

The condominium community of Independence Square (bordered by West End, Hawthorn Parkway, Century Park, and Greenleaf) paid tribute to generations of American presidents, from George Washington to John F. Kennedy by naming most streets after them. 

Sales of the townhomes in Republic Square were well under way when, in the spring of 1976, United Development had their grand opening of Independence Square. 

The home designs of Independence Square pay tribute to America's colonial wars of Lexington (the two-story 3-bedroom condo) and Concord (the two-story 2-bedroom condo), and to the town of Williamsburg, the center of political events which led to the Revolutionary War (the single-story 2- or 3-bedroom condo above the garages, sometimes called the "Penthouse"). 

The nation was healing from a deep recession and home sales were brisk. A sign stood on an angle at the corner of West End and Hawthorn Parkway prominently identifying Independence Square. The condos just east of West End (482 to 496 Buchanan Court) were the model homes. 

Very few (if any) residents know the community's original name, and that's really a shame.

It's impossible to know how the community's identity got lost. The only way to verify it now, short of investigating site plans, board approvals, blueprints and records at the Village's Building Department, is for homeowners to read the legal description on their mortgage.  

Perhaps one day the community's identity will return. 2026 will be America's 250th birthday. 

America's Semiquincentennial. 

Maybe it will be then.