Countryside in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

This was "Countryside"

Farms and Quarries

Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 1, 2020

1. This was "Countryside" Marker

Inscription. Early travelers on Route 66 raced through open lands once they left Chicago. This was truly “countryside,” a rich region of farms and quarries on the outskirts of the city. Few farms remained by the time the City of Countryside was incorporated in 1960. Fields gave way to businesses and homes fueled by the growing suburbs.

The Marx Brothers’ Chicken Farm

The Marx Brothers were a famous family comedy act from the early to mid 1900s. In 1917, they began chicken farming near here to avoid being drafted into World War I.

Groucho remembers…

When we first got the farm we got up every morning at 4 o’clock. After awhile we got up at 5, then 6, then 7, then 8 and then Chico discovered that LaGrange was near the Chicago Cubs ballpark. We didn’t farm anymore, but we made sure to catch the train to the ballpark…

Quarries and Route 66

The Route 66 roadbed from Chicago to Joliet was made of crushed limestone from quarries about a mile east of here. They have produced rock and aggregate since 1881.

Erected by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Entertainment

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• Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list.

Location. 41° 46.614′ N, 87° 52.293′ W. Marker is in Countryside, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker is on Joliet Road west of South LaGrange Road (U.S. 45), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in front of Local 150 Conference Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6201 Joliet Rd, La Grange IL 60525, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Specialist John R. Sullivan (approx. one mile away); Memorial Park (approx. one mile away); Korean War Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); Bruno F. Shustek (approx. 2.6 miles away); a different marker also named Memorial Park (approx. 3.2 miles away); La Grange Park Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.3 miles away); a different marker also named La Grange Park Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Countryside.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 1, 2020

2. This was "Countryside" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 528 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.