Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Solar System

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 27, 2025

1. Solar System Marker

Inscription.
4.7 billion years ago
The Solar System is formed

Erected 2012 by Park District of Oak Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine.

Location. 41° 53.078′ N, 87° 48.102′ W. Marker is in Oak Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from South Marion Street 0.1 miles south of Pleasant Street, on the right when traveling north. The stone is a part of a labyrinth located on the western edge of Mills Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 217 Home Avenue, Oak Park IL 60302, 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 25 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: Volcanoes (here, next to this marker); Cambrian Sea (here, next to this marker); Ancient Illinois Climate (a few steps from this marker); Amphibians (a few steps from this marker); Illinois Tulley Monster (a few steps from this marker); The Age of Mammals (a few steps from this marker); Sabre Tooth Tigers (a few steps from this marker); Beginning of the Wisconsin Ice Age (within shouting distance of this marker); Oak Park Sand Spit (within shouting distance of this marker); End of the Wisconsin Ice Age (within shouting distance of this marker); Hunter Gatherers (within shouting distance of this marker); Oak Savanna (within shouting distance of this marker); Potowatamie (within shouting distance of this marker); First European Settlers in Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills Park Labyrinth (within shouting distance of this marker); Pleasant Home Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); The Kettlestrings (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills Park and Pleasant Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills Estate Purchase (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 27, 2025

2. Labyrinth

The part of the labyrinth north of the sidewalk shows the history of Oak Park from the birth of the solar system through the beginning of the Ice Age 110,000 years ago.

Herbert S. Mills (within shouting distance of this marker); Village of Oak Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Pleasant Home (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Mills Park and Pleasant Home (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oak Park.

More about this marker. The stone is one of about 20 stone pavers in Mills Park that show the history of Oak Park from the dawn of the solar system through 2012. The pavers are part of a labyrinth embedded into the ground near the western entrance into Mills Park.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Mills Park Labyrinth marker page includes a list of all 21 stones in the labyrinth in chronological order

Also see . . . Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest: The old growth oaks we hold so dear.

Excerpt: "The labyrinth at the western edge of
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 27, 2025

3. Mills Park labyrinth
the park is the inspired design of John MacManus and Josephine Bellalta of Altamanu, hired by the Park District of Oak Park to do the Mills Park renovation in 2012. The labyrinth illustrates the immense changes in Oak Park where Mother Nature worked her magic, and where oaks were eventually able to root and thrive through the millennia."

(Submitted on March 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 27, 2025

4. Solar System Marker

A nearby historical marker says that the labyrinth's artistic style was inspired by the architect George W. Maher, who designed the Pleasant Home, located in this park.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 27, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.