Near Willow Springs in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Chicago Piles

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2022

1. The Chicago Piles Marker

Inscription.
Built at the University of Chicago and called Chicago Pile–1 (CP-1), the world’s first nuclear reactor was moved to Site A in the Red gate Woods in 1943 and renamed CP-2. The site Boasted 10 tons of uranium metal, 42 tons of uranium oxide, and 472 tons of graphite. Shielding the reactor core were six inches of lead and four feet of wood.

Under the leadership of physicist Walter Zinn, scientists at Site A performed experiments in the small laboratory atop CP-2 in addition to constructing CP-3, the first water-cooled nuclear reactor. When the Atomic Energy Commission closed Site A in 1954, the two reactors were dismantled and buried in a forty foot deep trench on the site. beginning in the 1980’s, the Commission and the Department of Energy responded to public concern by monitoring the area and working to neutralize toxic radioactive materials. This site is now safe for public recreation.

Erected by Forest Preserves of Cook County, Loyola University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine.

Location. 41° 42.136′ N, 87° 54.755′ W.

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Marker is near Willow Springs, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Palos Trail System - Brown Unpaved Trail (West) north of Pipeline Trail, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in Red Gate Woods, at "Site A.". Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9084 Archer Ave, Willow Springs IL 60480, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The World’s First Nuclear Reactor (here, next to this marker); You Are Now Entering Site A (within shouting distance of this marker); Caution - Do Not Dig (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dawn of the Atomic Age (approx. half a mile away); Saint James at Sag Bridge Church and Cemetery (approx. 1.1

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 7, 2022

2. The Chicago Piles Marker

miles away); Land of the Healing Waters (approx. 2.6 miles away); ...And It Came to Be (approx. 2.7 miles away); Willow Springs Civilian Conservation Corps Camp #612 (con’t…) (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Willow Springs.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,099 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.