Joliet in Will County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lester Frank Ward / Fossils
Stories in Stone
— I&M Canal Passage —
Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 2, 2020
1. Lester Frank Ward / Fossils Marker
Lester Frank Ward side
(Lester Frank Ward panel:)
The American Aristotle
The last of ten children, Lester Frank Ward (1841-1913) was born in Joliet, at Joliet and Benton streets. His father owned a quarry at what is now the site of the Illinois State Penitentiary, but Ward lived in Joliet only a short time. A true Renaissance Man, Ward was wounded in the Civil War and took degrees in law and medicine, but gained lasting fame as a paleontologist and sociologist.
(Fossils panel:)
Rare Finds
Very few animals or plants become fossils, as it takes just the right conditions for fossils to form. We are fortunate to have any evidence of ancient life, especially life that existed in the unimaginably distant past. Despite their tremendous age, these fossils are often remarkably well preserved. Molds of snails are found side by side with hundreds of brachiopod shells. However, fossils are rarely found completely intact, so look for partial specimens.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Paleontology • War, US Civil.
Location. 41° 31.536′ N, 88° 5.282′ W. Marker is in Joliet, Illinois, in Will County. Marker is on North Bluff Street north of West Jefferson Street (
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Quarries Are Us (here, next to this marker); Quarry Workers / Joliet Stone (here, next to this marker); From Prisons to Libraries (here, next to this marker); Joliet Buildings (here, next to this marker); Prairie Band of Potawatomi (a few steps from this marker); Joliet's Business Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Market in Joliet (within shouting distance of this marker); Oneida Street Steps (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joliet.
Also see . . . Lester Frank Ward on Wikipedia. In addition to what is mentioned on the marker, Ward served as the first president of the American Sociological Association and helped influence American politics, particularly the liberal wing of the modern Democrat party, including Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. (Submitted on October 6, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 2, 2020
2. Lester Frank Ward / Fossils Marker
Fossils side
Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 2, 2020
3. Lester Frank Ward / Fossils Marker
With the supplemental interpretive statue
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
