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

Think Globally. Act Locally.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 15, 2025

1. Think Globally. Act Locally. Marker

Inscription. Preservation of this prairie began with a group of concerned citizens taking a stand to preserve and protect this natural piece of Illinois history. They were garden club members, teachers, parents and students.

Today, the story continues with volunteers pitching in to clean litter, clear brush, collect seeds and conduct plantings all along the prairie.

Want to volunteer? If you're interested, see the kiosk located at Berkley Ave. or e-mail [email protected].

Erected by Elmhurst Park District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 41° 53.145′ N, 87° 57.284′ W. Marker is in Elmhurst, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is at the intersection of Prairie Path Lane and Berkley Avenue, on the right on Prairie Path Lane. The marker is to the right of a kiosk alongside the Illinois Prairie Path. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: The Elmhurst Great Western Prairie (here, next to this marker); Wildlife (within shouting distance of this marker); The American Prairie (about 800 feet

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away, measured in a direct line); Elmhurst and Salt Creek: History at a Glance (approx. 0.4 miles away); Villa Park Historical Museum (approx. ¾ mile away); The Great Western Trail (approx. ¾ mile away); Villa Historic Landmark District (approx. ¾ mile away); Bicentennial Fountain (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elmhurst.

Regarding Think Globally. Act Locally.. This stretch of the Illinois Prairie Path goes through a six-acre Elmhurst Park District property called the Keith A. Olson Prairie. It was called the Great Western Prairie until being renamed in 2024 after a preservation advocate. The rare original prairie was left intact along the old right-of-way of the Great Western and Chicago, Aurora & Elgin railroads, parallel train lines that ran through this location until the 1960s.

Also see . . .
1. Elmhurst Park District: Keith A. Olson Prairie.

Excerpt: "Once, most of the northern two-thirds of Illinois was prairie. Now far less than one percent of that original grassland remains. Elmhurst has a rare and unique opportunity to
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, January 15, 2025

2. Think Globally. Act Locally. Marker
This marker is to the right of the kiosk.
maintain and display a prairie in otherwise developed surroundings, thereby preserving a living time capsule of Illinois in its original state."

(Submitted on January 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Illinois Prairie Path official site. (Submitted on January 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 985 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.