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

Annie’s Woods

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 10, 2026

1. Annie’s Woods Marker

Inscription.
The plot of land known as Annie's Woods was originally part of Joseph Glidden's DeKalb property. Joseph Glidden became famous as the inventor of the first practical barbed wire and as a leader in the community.

1905 Plat of DeKalb
In 1895 Joseph Glidden donated 63 acres of his land for the campus of the State Normal School at DeKalb (Northern Illinois University). He kept acreage on the south, west, and north sides of the campus. The area known as Annie's Woods was his only holding on the east side of the Kishwaukee River, as seen in the 1905 Plat of DeKalb.

Early Photograph of Annie's Woods
Joseph Glidden named Annie's Woods in honor of his niece, Annie Glidden, because of her fondness of the natural area. In 1917 the property was donated by Annie and the DeKalb Women's Club to the City of DeKalb to be used as a park. When the Park District was formed in 1935, Annie's Woods was one of four original parks that made up the new district.

Stone Entry in the 1940's
Reprinted from an article about Annie's Woods in the Sycamore True Republican (Saturday, June 11, 1921): "The Women's club took the lead in appropriating a

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sum of money for putting up the entrance and picked a handsome plan. Skoglund-Wedburg employees spent yesterday hauling some stone down to the scene of operations and today the men of Mosher & Embree's coal force are hauling some more of the stones on their half-holiday. The First National Bank has volunteered to furnish the mortar for the stonework and the city fireman on their off days are going to work on the entrance under supervision of an expert."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is June 11, 1921.

Location. 41° 56.235′ N, 88° 45.611′ W. Marker is in DeKalb, Illinois, in DeKalb County. It is on Woodley Avenue north of Miller Avenue when traveling north. This marker is located at the beginning of the sidewalk system at Annie's Woods in DeKalb. It can be seen after entering the park from Woodley/Miller Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 397 Miller Avenue, Dekalb IL 60115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Illinois.

Annie’s Woods Marker Surroundings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 10, 2026

2. Annie’s Woods Marker Surroundings

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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: “Unified and Diversified” Time Capsule (approx. ¼ mile away); Northern Illinois University 75th Anniversary Time Capsule (approx. ¼ mile away); Ellwood Green (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Little House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Major General Johann De Kalb White Oak (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mrs. Ellwood’s Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away); Northern Illinois University (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in DeKalb.

Annie’s Woods Entrance Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, September 10, 2026

3. Annie’s Woods Entrance Area

Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 10, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.