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

The Great Western Trail

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 12, 2024

1. The Great Western Trail Marker

Inscription. This arched gateway, located in Villa Park, Illinois, marks the beginning of the Great Western Trail that extends for 12 miles through DuPage County. The trail was constructed on an abandoned spur of the Chicago Great Western Railway. The spur, built in 1886, served the community of Villa Park and its businesses well into the 20th Century. After it was abandoned, the County purchased the property in 1986 and converted it to a recreational trail. The last sections of the trail were completed in 1992.

The former Chicago Great Western Railway Villa Park Train Depot, ahead on the left, was built in 1926 to service the railroad and local businesses. The Wander Company, makers of Ovaltine, used the railroad to ship and receive goods, and to bring in coal for its powerhouse. The Chicago Great Western also serviced several lumber and fuel supply businesses in the Village. In the 1950s, the Depot was purchased by Villa Park and was completely restored in 2014 to provide a community facility for local events and to commemorate the Village's Centennial Anniversary.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 41° 53.234′ N, 87° 58.158′

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W. Marker is in Villa Park, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is at the intersection of South Villa Avenue and Ovaltine Court, on the right when traveling south on South Villa Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Villa Park IL 60181, 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: Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. L.R. Cortesi (about 400 feet away); Villa Park Historical Museum (about 500 feet away); Villa Historic Landmark District (about 600 feet away); The American Prairie (approx. 0.6 miles away); Elmhurst and Salt Creek: History at a Glance (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Elmhurst Great Western Prairie (approx. ¾ mile away); Think Globally. Act Locally. (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Villa Park.

Regarding The Great Western Trail. This eastern branch of the Great Western Trail continues for about 13 miles west from this spot to West Chicago, where it ends near the DuPage County Airport. Another branch of the trail resumes farther west in St. Charles and goes about 18 miles west-northwest to Sycamore. The Illinois Prairie Path, another path along an abandoned railway, cuts through Villa Park just a few hundred feet to the south of here. While both of the train lines that ran along these paths are long gone, local train service to Villa Park is still

The Great Western Trail dedication plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 12, 2024

2. The Great Western Trail dedication plaque

The plaque says the arch is dedicated to the Greco Family and the Odeum Expo Center, and lists a dozen major donors.

accessible on the Chicagoland area's Metra system, on the Union Pacific-West line that runs a mile or so north of here.

Ovaltine, the milk flavoring product, was manufactured for American consumers in a Villa Park factory across the street from this arch, starting in 1915 until the factory closed in 1988. The site of the factory is now an apartment complex called Ovaltine Court.

The Great Western Trail Arch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 12, 2024

3. The Great Western Trail Arch

The marker is on the right; a portion of a dedication plaque can be seen on the left.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, April 12, 2024

4. The Great Western Trail Arch

A view from the rear of the arch. In the far distance is Ovaltine Court, an apartment complex on the site of Villa Park's old Ovaltine factory.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,544 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.