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

Wing Park

Area — 121.5 Acres

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 17, 2026

1. Wing Park Marker

Inscription. Bequeathed to the City of Elgin, A.D. 1902.

By William H. Wing.

"The people's play ground of Elgin."

Erected 1922 by Elgin Woman's Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 42° 2.985′ N, 88° 18.299′ W. Marker is in Elgin, Illinois, in Kane County. It can be reached from Wing Street near Wing Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. The marker is in Wing Park, about a quarter-mile north of the Wing Street entrance into the park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1010 Wing Street, Elgin IL 60123, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Wing Park Golf Course 1908 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); W.R. Meadows, Inc. (approx. one mile away); The Pioneer Memorial Statue (approx. one mile away); Gail Borden Library (approx. one mile away); "The Ultimate Sacrifice" (approx. 1.1 miles away); Elgin Milk Condensing Company (approx. 1.1 miles away); Elgin Wind Power and Pump Company (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Elgin Windmill (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elgin.

More about this marker. According to news reports (see below), the marker was moved in 2023 from an obscure spot on a park service road to to this more prominent location.

A similar marker erected by the Elgin Women's Club is also found in Gifford Park, east of her in Elgin's historic district.

Regarding Wing Park. The Wing family came to Elgin in 1846, and William was a descendent who was a prominent lawyer. He served two years as Elgin's city attorney, five years as treasurer for the Illinois Northern Hospital for the Insane, and four years as director of the First National Bank of Elgin. Wing donated the 121 acres for this park

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 17, 2026

2. Wing Park Marker

for the purpose of creating a golf course. The Wing Park course is the oldest municipally owned 9-hole golf course in Illinois.

Also see . . . Monument honoring William Wing, whose land created Elgin’s Wing Park, moved to more prominent spot. From the Elgin Courier-News.

Excerpt: “Washington Wing bought a small farmhouse that he eventually sold to his son, William, in 1859. William was an attorney and he and his wife, Abby, moved into the house and continued to buy property on the west side, Thoren said. Abby Wing died in a fire on the third story of their Queen Anne home in 1897. William died five years later. In his will, he left 120 acres to the city to create a park. He originally planned to donate 100 acres, but when he learned Lords Park would be bigger, he changed the amount to 120 acres, Thoren said. 'He wanted Wing Park to be bigger,' he said.”

(Submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.