Cantigny Park

Aerial view of the terraces at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL in early spring.
Aerial view of the terraces at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL in early spring.
Outside the First Division Museum at Cantigny you'll find almost a dozen tanks on display.  The tanks hail from World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.  

This particular tank, the M46 Patton, was designed to fight in the Korean War.  It could handle Korea’s mountainous terrain and pivot through narrow attack routes.  The main gun could penetrate the armor of North Korea’s tanks.  It was also deployed as an artillery weapon.  This tank’s “Tiger” paint scheme reflects the markings of the 6th Tank Battalion, 24th Division.
Stats:  Weight - 48.5 tons; Crew - 5; Main Armament - 90 mm gun;  Top speed - 30 mph;  Armor Thickness - .5” – 4.5”; Number Produced - 2,015.
 
A magnet for kids young and old, the place was like an anthill in the middle of a picnic.   All are allowed to climb on the tanks, although the day we were there, most of the kids doing the climbing were of the 3' and under variety.  

Located just 30 miles west of Chicago, this public park and military museum is a must-see for veterans and those members currently serving in the armed forces.  

A $5 parking fee per vehicle will get you into the park with the exception of special events, when additional fees may be incurred.
It was a bee-utiful day in the gardens of the former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, newspaper heir to the Chicago Tribune.  The Colonel served in World War I with the First Division of the U. S. Army and saw action in France, in the Battle of Cantigny.  He named the estate he inherited from his grandfather in honor of that battle. 

Upon his death in 1955, he designated his fortune (he was childless) and the 500-acre estate on which is 35-room mansion was located to be used to establish the McCormick Charitable Trust (now called the McCormick Foundation).  He also asked that Cantigny be developed into a park for the general public.  

Thirty miles west of Chicago, you don't want to miss these beautiful gardens, nor the First Division Museum, complete with almost a dozen tanks from WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War.  All are sitting on the grounds just outside the Museum.
Tulips are blooming in this season.


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