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

Naperville

1986

— Naperville Century Walk —

Naperville Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

1. Naperville Marker

Inscription. Naperville's geographical history is whimsically depicted on the thirty-six sculpted bronze squares embedded here. The artist has created a puzzle for viewers as they search the topographical map for familiar landmarks. A covered wagon represents Naper Settlement; planks detail "Olde Plank Road" a dragon and its footprints mark the site of the proposed Dragon Lake reservoir; and various symbols denote school and other points of interest in this ever-changing town.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 41° 46.327′ N, 88° 9.087′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Webster Street on Jackson Avenue. The marker is in front of the southeast corner of Naperville's Nichols Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 West Jefferson Avenue, Naperville IL 60540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American

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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: Host to New Paths (within shouting distance of this marker); Naperville Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverwalk Visionaries (within shouting distance of this marker); Dick Tracy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Man's Search for Knowledge through the Ages (about 300 feet away); Grassroots Overlook (about 300 feet away); Riverwalk Amphitheater (about 300 feet away); Commander Dan Shanower September 11 Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

More about this marker. The 36 bronze squares the marker describes are a few steps away, embedded into the sidewalk. The art was installed in 1986 upon the opening of the new Nichols Library, which replaced the 1897 original. That original still stands

Bronze Naperville map and its marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

2. Bronze Naperville map and its marker

The Nichols Library can be seen in the background.

a few blocks away and is now a restaurant.

Regarding Naperville. Joseph Naper is credited as the area's first white settler, establishing Naper's Settlement on the banks of the DuPage River in 1831. He platted the town in 1842 and was the first president of the village of Naperville in 1857. Naperville was the first county seat of DuPage County, until it moved (amid controversy) to Wheaton in 1868. Naperville grew rapidly after World War II, and its population reached 100,000 by the 1990s. Based on 2024 population estimates, its population has surpassed 150,000 and it is expected to soon become Illinois' third-largest city, surpassing Joliet and behind only Chicago and Aurora.

Also see . . . Naperville history. A history of the city from the Naper Settlement, a historical park near downtown Naperville. (Submitted on September 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Bronze Naperville map in front of the Nichols Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

3. Bronze Naperville map in front of the Nichols Library

Closer view of the bronze Naperville map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

4. Closer view of the bronze Naperville map

"Birds-eye view" of Naperville, circa 1869 image. Click for full size.

Ruger & Stoner, courtesy of Library of Congress, circa 1869

5. "Birds-eye view" of Naperville, circa 1869

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 313 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on September 20, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.