Lombard in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Watts Up with the Illinois Prairie Path?
Radical Bike History
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 21, 2025
1. Watts Up with the Illinois Prairie Path? Marker
May Watts (1893-1975) was a famous naturalist at the Morton Arboretum.
Founded in 1963, and built on an old railroad right-of-way, the Illinois Prairie Path is the first successful "rails-to-trails" conversion in the United States. Over 61 miles of trails connect users in Lombard to Maywood, Elgin, and Aurora.
In September of 1963, May Watts shared her vision of the path in The Chicago Tribune, Voice of the People. Future Footpath? Public response to the letter was enthusiastic and immediate.
... You catch occasional glimpses of bicycles flying past, along one side. The bicycles entered thru a special stile admitting them to the bicycle strip. They cannot enter the path where you walk, but they can ride far and fast without being endangered by cars and without endangering those who walk.
That is the future, the possible futue. Right now the right of way lies waiting, and many hands are itching for it. Many bulldozers are drooling!
Erected by Retro Glow Bikes; Lombard Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars
this page online
Location. 41° 52.955′ N, 88° 1.086′ W. Marker is in Lombard, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is at the intersection of Ash Street and Main Street, on the right when traveling east on Ash Street. The sign is one of two in the window of Retro Glow Bikes. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 South Main Street, Lombard IL 60148, 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: Gearing Bicycle Ads Towards Women (here, next to this marker); Main Street Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Dairy Queen Sign (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Votes For Women (about 600 feet away); Reuben Mink
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 21, 2025
2. Retro Glow Bikes
More about this marker. The bike store is about a block north of the Illinois Prairie Path. Based on the logo in the bottom left corner, this sign (and the one next to it) seems to be related to a celebration of International Women's Day in March.
Also see . . .
1. May Watts: A Legacy in the Chicago Landscape. Watts's alma mater, the University of Chicago, looks back at her life and the ongoing impact of her efforts as a naturalist and educator. (Submitted on November 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Illinois Prairie Path official site. (Submitted on November 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 21, 2025
3. May Watts
A close-up of the photo on the sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
