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

James L. Nichols

North Central College Legacies

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

1. James L. Nichols Marker

Inscription. James L. Nichols, Class of 1880, directed the College's Commercial Course. Following several years of successful sales of his volume "The Business Guide, or Safe Methods of Business," Nichols stopped teaching to devote himself full time to his publishing enterprise in Naperville. Upon his death in 1895, Nichols bequeathed funds to the College to build a gymnasium and to the City of Naperville to build a public library.

Erected by North Central College.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 41° 46.214′ N, 88° 8.798′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is in North Central College. It is on South Brainard Street 0.3 miles south of Chicago Avenue, on the left when traveling west. The marker is on the campus of North Central College, outside the fence at the north end of Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, the Cardinals' football stadium. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Naperville IL 60540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Mildred Rebstock, Ph.D (here, next to this marker); Henry Tayama (a few steps from this marker); Rev. George St. Angelo (within shouting distance of this marker); North Central Students at Selma (within shouting distance of this marker); Walter and Grace Fredenhagen (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fredenhagen Park (about 400 feet away); Bill Shatzer (about 500 feet away); The Potawatomi and Fort Payne (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort Payne (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding James L. Nichols. As alluded to on the marker, Nichols remains the namesake of

James L. Nichols Marker near Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

2. James L. Nichols Marker near Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium

the Naperville Public Library in downtown Naperville, which moved to its present location in 1986. The original Nichols Library building, built in 1897, still stands today on Washington Street, about a half-mile north of here. The building was a church for several years until it was acquired by a developer and converted into a restaurant in 2022.

Also see . . . James Nichols autobiography. James Nichols's autobiography and a history of the Nichols Library are preserved by the Illinois Digital Heritage Hub. The autobiography was apparently dictated to his wife right before he died in 1895. (Submitted on September 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

North Central College Legacies markers near Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 15, 2024

3. North Central College Legacies markers near Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium

All five markers can be seen in this photo taken near the stadium's north endzone.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 19, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.