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

Adams Park

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 19, 2025

1. Adams Park Marker

Inscription. Deeded to the city of Wheaton from the estate of Katharine Adams Wells
1942

Restored and rededicated for the enjoyment of the citizens of Wheaton
1974

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 41° 51.976′ N, 88° 6.391′ W. Marker is in Wheaton, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Wesley Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. The marker is to the left of the southwest entrance into Adams Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wheaton IL 60187, 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: A different marker also named Adams Park (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Adams Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Theater (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1912 Chicago Aurora & Elgin Station (about 700 feet away); Site of the World's First Radio Telescope (about 700 feet away); Judge Elbert H. Gary (about 700 feet away); Vietnam Veteran's Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Korean War Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheaton.

More about this marker.

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Another marker with a more extensive history of the park is nearby, to the right of the entrance.

Regarding Adams Park. Katharine Adams Wells was the daughter of John Quincy Adams, after whom this park is named. (He was a fourth cousin, twice removed, of the identically named president). She was born on Chicago's south side in 1860 and moved with her family to Wheaton after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Her husband was Frederick Latimer Wells, a prominent Chicago businessman.

Wells and her father were driving forces for the creation of the Wheaton Public Library, whose first building opened in 1891 across Wesley Street from this marker. (It is now home to the Wheaton Historical Society.) Wells was the first librarian. When she died in 1942, she gave the land that had been her family's home to the city of Wheaton for the creation of this park, and she also bequeathed money that was used to build the modern library that is just east of the park. She is buried at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. Women of Wheaton History.

Excerpt: "(1860-1942) (102 E. Wesley St-Adams Park) She was Wheaton’s first librarian. She’s also the daughter of Chicago Board of Trade co-founder, John Quincy Adams (1824-1899), a distant relative (fourth cousin, twice removed)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 19, 2025

2. Adams Park Marker
of the sixth President of the United States. In 1891 Wheaton’s first library was built on land contributed by Katharine’s father, now the Wheaton Historical Society building. Katherine helped oversee assembly of the books and became the librarian. When she died, she prescribed that the family home be demolished for the site of Adams Park, and she donated $50,000 for the building of the current library, built in 1964."

(Submitted on September 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. History of the Wheaton Library. (Submitted on September 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Rear view of the entrance into Adams Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 19, 2025

3. Rear view of the entrance into Adams Park

The original Wheaton library, now home of the Wheaton Historical Society, is in the background to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 59 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.