Willow Springs in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Willow Springs Civilian Conservation Corps Camp #612

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 22, 2026

1. Willow Springs Civilian Conservation Corps Camp #612 Marker

Inscription. In 1935, Camp #612 was built on the hill above Archer Avenue, just west of Willow Springs Road. The first group of men to arrive, after being processed at Fort Sheridan, constructed the camp site and built a path down to Archer Avenue. Remnants of the path remain behind the Veterans Memorial on the corner. The main truck outlet was in the back of the camp exiting on to Willow Springs Road.

Once the camp was set up, the men started working along the Illinois and Michigan Canal towpaths. Old World War I trucks, with hard rubber wheels and top speed of 15 miles per hour, hauled flagstone from the quarry at 111th Street and Route 45 which was used to build foot bridges, picnic shelters, fishing piers, steps and paths still in use today. One outlook and path can be found along the canal from De Tonte Woods toward Route 83.

After work along the canal was finished, stone and gravel was hauled to

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the forest preserves. At Cantigny and Ryan's Woods, they built roads, walking and bridle paths, shelters, outhouses and bridges. Toboggan slides were constructed at Ryan's Woods and Swallow Cliff in Palos. Cinders were brought from Corn Products in Argo for the Bridle paths often shoveling cinders into the trucks by hand.

Erected 2025.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Illinois & Michigan Canal series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 41° 43.878′ N, 87° 52.665′ W. Marker is in Willow Springs, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Archer Avenue (Illinois Route 171) west of Willow Springs Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Willow

"The Worker" statue and four markers in honor of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 22, 2026

2. "The Worker" statue and four markers in honor of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Springs IL 60480, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) (here, next to this marker); "The Worker" (here, next to this marker); Willow Springs Civilian Conservation Corps Camp #612 (con’t…) (here, next to this marker); ...And It Came to Be (a few steps from this marker); Willow Springs Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Towpath (approx. 0.2 miles away); Original Illinois & Michigan Canal

CCC workers pumping water from I&M Canal image. Click for full size.

CCC I&M Canal Photographs Collection, courtesy of Lewis University, circa 1934

3. CCC workers pumping water from I&M Canal

This photograph, part of a series of photos taken by the CCC in 1934-35 that is preserved at Lewis University, shows CCC workers pumping water out of the I&M Canal near McKinley Woods in Channahon, about 35 miles southwest of Willow Springs.

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Land of the Healing Waters (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Willow Springs.

More about this marker. This marker is one of four that was erected in May 2025. They are behind a statue called “The Worker,” which was erected in honor of the CCC in 2001.

"The Worker" and four markers at IL-171 and Willow Springs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 22, 2026

4. "The Worker" and four markers at IL-171 and Willow Springs

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on March 23, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on March 24, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on April 23, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on October 27, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.