The earliest European settlers in the Northbrook area were German immigrants who arrived after the construction of the Erie Canal in 1825. In 1901, the town was incorporated as Shermerville, in honor of one of the founding families. Brickyards played a major role in the prosperity and growth of the community. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, brick manufacturing surpassed farming as a leading industry; 300,000 bricks per day were produced between 1915 and 1920. In 1923, Shermerville was renamed Northbrook in reference to the middle forks of the north branches of the Chicago River, which run through the town. Today, Northbrook is the headquarters of a number of major corporations.