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

The Story of Soil

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 7, 2025

1. The Story of Soil Marker

Inscription. In a prairie like this, the flowers and grasses get most of the attention, but the parts you can't see deserve a lot of recognition, too.

For 1.6 million years, glaciers spread and retreated across Illinois. When one would stall and start to melt, it would throw off tons of rock like a mile-high conveyor belt. Wind-blown dust from glaciers to the west added to each layer.

When the last glacier retreated over 10,000 years ago, grasses and flowers started to grow. To survive the region's dry summers, some developed roots up to 15 feet deep. When the plants died, their roots, leaves and stems created a thick nutrient-rich layer that added to the glacial deposits.

Today, the resulting soil — soil under this very prairie — is some of the richest in North America.

Erected by Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Science & Medicine.

Location. 41° 50.919′ N, 88° 10.917′ W. Marker is in West Chicago, Illinois, in DuPage County. It can be reached from Mack Road one mile west of Illinois

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Route 59, on the right when traveling west. The marker is in McKee Marsh, part of Blackwell Forest Preserve. The marker is along the loop path around the marsh, on its northeastern side. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29W400 Mack Road, Winfield IL 60190, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Robert & Ada McKee Wildlife Marsh (approx. 0.6 miles away); Wheaton Franciscan Sisters (approx. ¾ mile away); Cantigny First Division Museum (approx. 1.4 miles away); It Kame From the North (approx. 1.4 miles away); Dairy Operations (approx. 1½ miles away); A Love for Horses (approx. 1½ miles away); Chamossaire Statue (approx. 1½ miles away); William Deering and Company Factory Doorway

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 7, 2025

2. The Story of Soil Marker

(approx. 1½ miles away).

Also see . . . Blackwell Forest Preserve official site. McKee Marsh is part of Blackwell. (Submitted on June 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 7, 2025

3. The Story of Soil Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.