Explore the History of Sports in Wheaton, IL

Wheaton, IL is a town steeped in rich history and culture. From its charming streets to its friendly people, its no wonder that Wheaton has become a hub for sports enthusiasts looking to explore the areas past. By digging into events that took place 50150 years ago, you can get a glimpse of what life was like back then while learning about some amazing sporting achievements.

One such event is the story of Long John Larkin (18551906), one of Wheatons most celebrated athletes. Larkin was born with abnormally long legs and used his disproportionate body to excel at running and jumping events. He even competed in the first modern Olympics in Athens, Greece in 1896! You can learn more about Long John by visiting his gravesite at Wheaton Cemetery (1209 Warrenville Rd., Wheaton).

Another important event occurred on August 12th, 1917 when baseball HallofFamer Ty Cobb played an exhibition game between Major League Baseball players and soldiers stationed at nearby Camp Grant during World War I. The game was held at Adams Park (711 E Harrison Ave., Wheaton) and drew quite a crowd as they cheered on their favorite players.

For those interested in golf history, dont miss out on exploring St Andrews Golf & Country Club (2241 Route 59 West Chicago Road). It started as a ninehole course for employees of manufacturer Western Electric Company before being opened to the public around midcentury.

Finally, dont forget about football legend Red Grange who hails from nearby Forksville just outside Boilingbrook,. Known as The Galloping Ghost, Grange achieved fame playing college football for Illinois where he scored six touchdowns against Michigan University leading him later become professional player with New York Yankees who were not actually based there. Visit College Square in Wheaton (30 N Cross St., Wheaton) which was his childhood home and is now a museum dedicated to his life and career.

These historic sporting events are just a few examples of what makes Wheaton such an interesting place for sports enthusiasts. So grab your sneakers and hit the streets you never know what other hidden gems you might discover!

Websites:

https://www.cantigny.org/visitus/cantignypark/

http://standrewsgc.com/

Twitter Handles:

@cantignypark

@StAndrewsGolfCC