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

DuPage County Court House 1839-1868

DuPage County Court House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

1. DuPage County Court House Marker

Inscription. Naperville
1839–1868

Erected 2018.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 41° 46.464′ N, 88° 8.783′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Court Place south of Benton Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The words are part of the Laughing Lincoln statue located in Central Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 East Benton Avenue, Naperville IL 60540, 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: Laughing Lincoln

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(here, next to this marker); DuPage County Soldiers and Sailors Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Baha'u'llah (within shouting distance of this marker); DuPage County Centennial (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Park Seating Improvements (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Great Concerto (about 300 feet away); Ronald J. Keller, Ph.D. (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

Regarding DuPage County Court House 1839-1868. DuPage County was carved out of Cook County in 1839, and for almost 30 years the county court house was located at this site in Naperville. Beginning in the 1850s tensions rose amid calls to move the county seat to Wheaton, located more centrally and along a prominent train line. After a failed referendum in 1857, ten years later Wheaton narrowly won a second vote. Although the election's legitimacy was upheld by courts, Naperville's elected officials refused to hand over city documents. One evening in 1868, a group of Wheaton residents, including Civil War veterans,

Laughing Lincoln image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

2. Laughing Lincoln

The words are on a block below and to the right of the Lincoln statue.

went through an unlocked window of the court house in Naperville, captured the county's records and carried them back to Wheaton.

Also see . . . History of DuPage County's Courthouses. From The Journal of The DuPage County Bar Association.

Excerpt: "The citizens of Naperville quickly set about planning a courthouse befitting the new county. Bailey Hobson, one of DuPage County’s first settlers, was charged with the task of obtaining title from the appropriate government officials for a public square on which the courthouse would be erected. A site along Washington Street was selected and plans for the construction of a two-story frame building were begun. The new courthouse was constructed at a cost of $5,000, paid for by a subscription from the citizens of Naperville."

(Submitted on December 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Laughing Lincoln at Central Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

3. Laughing Lincoln at Central Park

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.