Annie Glidden was the niece of Joseph Glidden of DeKalb. Her father died when she was young, and her mother moved the family from their farm located outside DeKalb city limits into town.
Scholar
Joseph Glidden believed that his brother's . . . — — Map (db m310631) HM
On Woodley Avenue north of Miller Avenue when traveling north.
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 . . . — — Map (db m310604) HM
Near West Lincoln Highway (Illinois Route 38) east of West Locust Street, on the left when traveling east.
This house, built in 1861, was the home of Joseph Glidden, who in 1873 invented barbed wire fencing. With Phineas W. Vaughn he perfected a machine to manufacture it. DeKalb was the home of Isaac L. Ellwood and Jacob Haish, also manufacturers of . . . — — Map (db m308288) HM
On Crego Road 1 mile south of Perry Road (County Road 7), on the left when traveling north.
These trees were planted by the citizens of DeKalb County in honor of our country's bicentennial. This horizons project affirms our faith and pride in the United States and our hope and love for it. May future citizens enjoy this area and . . . — — Map (db m312117) HM
On Palmer Court at North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east on Palmer Court.
To DeKalb Citizens Present and Future:
A celebration of DeKalb's heritage was observed throughout 2006. It was led by a core committee appointed by Mayor Frank Van Buer. Citizens from all walks of life came together for the Sesquicentennial . . . — — Map (db m310820) HM
On North 1st Street at Palmer Court, on the right when traveling north on North 1st Street.
This memorial is erected as a tribute to those of the
City of DeKalb
who have served with courage and honor in the defense and preservation of American liberty — — Map (db m310652) WM
Near Sycamore Road (Illinois Route 23) 0.1 miles north of Gateway Drive, on the right when traveling north.
DeKalb's roots date to 1912 when a group of farmers and bankers formed the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association to improve area farming. In 1917, an offshoot was formed, the DeKalb County Agricultural Association, with a focus on quality seed. . . . — — Map (db m230905) HM
On Roberts Lane south of Roberts Circle, on the right when traveling south.
Success in developing and commercializing hybrid seed corn in the 1930s and early 1940s prompted DeKalb Agricultural Association in 1944 to see if the principles of hybridization could be applied to the breeding of poultry. Association President Tom . . . — — Map (db m230904) HM
On Palmer Court east of North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Dear Veterans of DeKalb,
I want to thank each of you for choosing my work as your memorial mural. Having my art represent your stories and sacrifices is an incredible honor. Your bravery and commitment inspire me, and I hope this painting reminds . . . — — Map (db m311029) WM
On East Lincoln Highway (Illinois Route 38) at North 1st Street, on the right when traveling west on East Lincoln Highway.
The Citizens of De Kalb erect this memorial to commemorate forever the loyalty and heroism of those of their number who answered the call of humanity in the World War
1914 – 1918
"That government of the people, by the people, . . . — — Map (db m310042) WM
Near Carroll Avenue south of Lucinda Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
With the support of NIU's governing board, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commons was commissioned December 8, 1983, and completed in 1992.
This bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, was created by Peter Fagan, and installed in . . . — — Map (db m309151) HM
On Linden Place north of Augusta Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
The original Ellwood estate totaled more than 1,000 acres, extending north and west of its current boundaries. Much of the property was pasture and farmland devoted to the Ellwood stock farm, "Ellwood Green", for the breeding of Percheron draft . . . — — Map (db m310635) HM
Isaac Leonard Ellwood was born in Salt Springville, New York, on August 3, 1833. Already ambitious as a young man, he drove a mule team on the Erie Canal. In 1851 he made his way west to seek his fortune in the gold fields of California. He clerked . . . — — Map (db m310642) HM
On North 1st Street, on the left when traveling north.
Erected in 1879 by Isaac L. Ellwood who contributed to western development as an early inventor and manufacturer of barbed wire and as a breeder of horses — — Map (db m310646) HM
On Nelson Road north of Lincoln Highway ( Route 38), on the right when traveling north.
On this farm two entrepreneurs begin a small experiment in 1925, the results of which have helped transform agriculture and the economies of Illinois, this nation and the world. Driven by the desire to improve farmers' productivity, Charlie Gunn . . . — — Map (db m311831) HM
Near Castle Drive at College Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
In Memory of
SFC Julianna Gehant
U.S. Army
June 15, 1975 - February 14, 2008
Beloved daughter, sister, comrade, and friend
A light in our lives — — Map (db m312361) WM
On Oak Street west of North 4th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Known for his inventive genius, eccentric personality, and generous philanthropy, Jacob Haish is perhaps most remembered as an inventor of barbed wire. Born in Germany, he immigrated to this country in 1832 and came to DeKalb County in the 1840s.
. . . — — Map (db m230903) HM
Near Linden Place west of North 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
This charming structure was built in 1891 as Patten Mfg. Company's contractor's model and parade float. William Ellwood acquired the building to use as a playhouse for his daughters, Jessie Jean and Harriet Elise. After they outgrew it, the little . . . — — Map (db m310639) HM
On Linden Place north of Augusta Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
This Illinois white oak tree honors Revolutionary War Hero Major General Johann De Kalb (1721-1780) Our county namesake, and the brave men and women who fought for American independence. Inspired by the noble cause of liberty, these patriots . . . — — Map (db m310633) HM WM
On North 1st Street north of Augusta Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
This building was constructed in 1905 as a private museum for Harriet Miller Ellwood. Designed by architect William S. Ralph, it is an interesting combination of two architectural styles popular at the turn of the 20th century. The exterior was . . . — — Map (db m310644) HM
On College Avenue at Castle Drive, on the left when traveling west on College Avenue.
Rededicated to all the brave men and women who have worn a uniform in honorable service to our great nation. Your service is a gift to our freedom.
Eternally and fraternally. — — Map (db m310317) WM
On Castle Drive at West Lincoln Highway ( Route 38), on the right when traveling north on Castle Drive.
"In education we have laid the foundations for institutions that will grow stronger with the centuries."
John P. Altgeld
Governor of Illinois
October 1, 1895
"In the coming century, Northern Illinois University will continue to . . . — — Map (db m310413) HM
On West Lincoln Highway (Illinois Route 38) east of Castle Drive, on the right when traveling west.
On May 22, 1895, Governor John Peter Altgeld signed an act establishing the Northern Illinois State Normal School. The first building, "The Castle on the Hill", was constructed here on what was once the site of the DeKalb County Fairgrounds. . . . — — Map (db m310416) HM
On Castle Drive at West Lincoln Highway ( Route 38), on the left when traveling north on Castle Drive.
"...the Normal School...is more than a 'castle on the hill' with its graceful campus and curving drives...it should be ready to proclaim its supreme aim as an educational auxiliary int he determination of our national life."
John W. . . . — — Map (db m310412) HM
Near Linden Place north of Augusta Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
For the two generations of Ellwoods living in the mansion from 1879 to 1964, colorful blooms, climbing vines, potted palms, and manicured landscapes made up the backdrop of everyday life. From cultivating exotic specimens and entertaining on the . . . — — Map (db m310640) HM
Near Bethany Road east of Sycamore Street ( Route 23), on the right when traveling east.
Hybrid corn results from the cross of two inbred parents, each of which is developed by selfing (in-breeding) a corn line for 6-8 generations until it is mostly homozygous.
Corn plants are diploid with one set of chromosomes coming from the . . . — — Map (db m230907) HM
On Clifford Drive just west of Hickory Street, on the left when traveling west.
In the early 20th century William George Eckhardt (1879-1959) was a pioneer in DeKalb County's leading role in agricultural innovation. Eckhardt, an agronomy professor at the University of Illinois, was an expert in the blossoming field of soil . . . — — Map (db m310352) HM
On North 4th Street north of Lincoln Highway ( Route 38), on the right when traveling north.
The DeKalb® brand winged ear logo is perhaps one of the most widely-recognized agricultural trademarks in the world. Over the years it has undergone many design enhancements from the original concept. But the same iconic image of a flying ear of . . . — — Map (db m230901) HM
On Fairview Drive east of Nelson Road, on the right when traveling east.
Many path-breaking agricultural innovations result from the creative minds of farmers. Such was the case in the development of the yield monitor, which measures grain yield and maps it to the specific part of a field as the grain is being . . . — — Map (db m312119) HM
