Elmhurst in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chicago Great Western Railway Depot

Photographed by Sean Flynn

1. Chicago Great Western Railway Depot Marker

Inscription. This depot served the Chicago Great Western Railway from its founding, as the Minnesota & Northwestern Railway in 1887, until service was discontinued in 1968. The CGW primarily transported freight, with some commuter service. In 1971 the Elmhurst Park District purchased the depot and the railroad right-of-way and developed Wild Meadows Trace. The renovated depot was dedicated at a community-wide celebration of the United States Bicentennial on July 5, 1976.

Erected 2007 by Elmhurst Historical Commission; City of Elmhurst, Illinois.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 41° 53.086′ N, 87° 56.329′ W. Marker is in Elmhurst, Illinois, in DuPage County. It can be reached from South Street south of York Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is on the south-facing wall of the old train depot, which sits in Wild Meadows Trace, an Elmhurst park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 511 South York Street, Elmhurst IL 60126, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bicentennial Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth's Friendship Walk (approx. 0.7 miles away); World War I Memorial

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(approx. ¾ mile away); Elmhurst Veterans' Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Veterans' Square (approx. 0.8 miles away); Elmhurst Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Wildlife (approx. 0.8 miles away); Haumea (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elmhurst.

More about this marker. The depot is a short distance from the Prairie Path, a recreational bike and walking trail that follows the old Chicago Aurora and Elgin railway line. Another rail trail called the Great Western Trail follows CGW's old line; its eastern branch begins in Villa Park, about 1½ miles west of this depot, and travels about 13 miles west to the suburb of West Chicago.

Regarding Chicago Great Western Railway Depot. The CGW was nicknamed the Corn Belt Route due to its location in the Midwest. While the CGW did have some passenger travel, it was primarily a freight line; in 1967, its final year as an independent carrier, it transported 2.5 billion ton-miles of freight. In 1968 the CGW merged with the Chicago and North Western Railway, which soon thereafter went on to abandon most

Chicago Great Western Railway Depot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, November 28, 2023

2. Chicago Great Western Railway Depot

The marker is next to the door on the left. The rail line ran right next to the depot before it was removed in the 1970s.

of the old CGW holdings.

Also see . . .
1. Chicago Great Western Railway: "The Corn Belt Route". A history of the Chicago Great Western Railway (Submitted on November 29, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Elmhurst Park District: The Depot. (Submitted on November 29, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean Flynn, November 28, 2023

3. Chicago Great Western Railway Depot

The Elmhurst depot, looking southward across Wild Meadows Trace.

Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, circa 1897

4. Chicago Great Western Railway Depot Marker

This Poole Brothers map from the late 1800s shows the route of the Chicago Great Western's passenger line, called the Maple Leaf Route, which connected Chicago, Minneapolis and Kansas City.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 883 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.