The Great Western Trail is made up of two non-consecutive sections of the former right-of-way of the Chicago Great Western Railway in suburban Chicago and northern Illinois that have been converted into biking and hiking trails. Right-of-way is a legal term which may have any of several meanings: priority at a crossing, or in traffic. ... The Chicago Great Western Railway (AAR reporting mark CGW) was a Class I railroad that linked Chicago, Minneapolis, Omaha, and Kansas City. ... Chicago, colloquially known as the Second City and the Windy City, is the third-largest city in population in the United States, following New York City and Los Angeles, and the largest inland city in the country. ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) Senators Richard Durbin (D) Barack Obama (D) Official language(s) English Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... Rail trails are created when abandoned railway rights-of-way are converted to paths designed for foot, bicycle, equestrian or light motorized traffic. ...

The Western Section of the Great Western Trail

The older of the two sections, between western St. Charles in Kane County and eastern Sycamore in DeKalb County, was right-of-way abandoned in 1977. This eighteen-mile crushed-stone path traverses unincorporated rural townships, natural wetlands, some restored prairies, and farmland. St. ... Location in the state of Illinois Formed January 16, 1836 Seat Geneva Area  - Total  - Water 1,357 km² (524 mi²) 9 km² (4 mi²) 0. ... Sycamore is a city located in DeKalb County, Illinois. ... DeKalb County is a county located in the state of Illinois. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... A subtropical wetland in Florida, USA, with an endangered American Crocodile. ... A prairie is an area of land of low topographic relief that principally supports grasses and herbs, with few trees, and is generally of a mesic (moderate or temperate) climate. ...

The Eastern Section of the Great Western Trail

The newer of the two sections, between Villa Park and West Chicago in DuPage County, was right-of-way abandoned piecemeal throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. This twelve-mile crushed stone path crosses some farmland and suburban areas. At the east end of the trail is a restored former CGW depot building. The Great Western trail also makes several connections with the Prairie Path. Villa Park is a suburb of Chicago located in DuPage County, Illinois. ... West Chicago is a city located in DuPage County, Illinois. ... DuPage County is a county located in the state of Illinois. ... // Events and trends The 1980s marked an abrupt shift towards more conservative lifestyles after the momentous cultural revolutions which took place in the 1960s and 1970s and the definition of the AIDS virus in 1981. ... // Events and trends The 1990s are generally classified as having moved slightly away from the more conservative 1980s, but otherwise retaining a similar mindset. ...

External links

• Kane County Illinois Forest Preserve - Great Western Trail Map
• Friends of the Great Western Trail

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