Aurora in Kane County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Glacial Boulder from Mendota College

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2026

1. Glacial Boulder from Mendota College Marker

Inscription. This glacial boulder, a landmark from the Mendota College campus, was brought here by the Class of 1914, of which Clarence R. Smith was a member. Alumni have installed this marker to honor the 60th anniversary of that class, and Dr. Smith's many years of steadfast service to Aurora College.

1914-1974

Erected 1974 by Aurora College Class of 1914.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 41° 45.288′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

88° 20.838′ W. Marker is in Aurora, Illinois, in Kane County. It is on Gladstone Avenue south of Marseillaise Place, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the campus of Aurora University, in a grassy area between Eckhart Hall and Gladstone Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 337 South Gladstone Avenue, Aurora IL 60506, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2026

2. Glacial Boulder from Mendota College Marker

American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Remember Oklahoma City (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Bedrosian, PhD (approx. one mile away);

Glacial boulder and Aurora University’s Eckhart Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 3, 2026

3. Glacial boulder and Aurora University’s Eckhart Hall

Former U.S. Post Office (approx. 1½ miles away); Old Second National Bank (approx. 1½ miles away); Aurora Public Library (approx. 1.6 miles away); BPO Elk's Club Building (approx. 1.6 miles away); Hobbs Building (approx. 1.6 miles away); Tivoli Theatre (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aurora.

More about this marker. “1914” is etched into the stone above the marker.

Regarding Glacial Boulder from Mendota College. Clarence Smith was a geology and physics

Paid Advertisement

professor at Aurora College.

What is now known as Aurora University was founded in 1893 as Mendota Seminary and renamed soon thereafter as Mendota College. The school was renamed Aurora College in 1911.

Also see . . .
1. History of Aurora University. (Submitted on May 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Package dated 1935 found in tusk of Aurora’s mastodon bones. The Aurora Beacon-News wrote in 2026 about a package with Dr. Smith’s name on it that was found inside mastodon tusks that had been found in Aurora in the 1930s. (Submitted on May 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.