Wing Park Golf Course
Why it's listed
Wing Park Golf Course is a 52-acre, nine-hole municipal course on the east side of Wing Park in Elgin, Illinois, about 40 miles northwest of Chicago. The park was donated to the city by William H. Wing after his death in 1902, and Thomas Bendelow designed the course, which was built in the summer of 1908 for $1,250. Its parallel fairways, small greens and rolling, tree-lined terrain are typical of Bendelow's early work, and the original arrangement of tees, fairways and greens survives with few changes. A remnant embankment from the park's former speedway track remains at the north end. The course is described as the oldest and best-preserved nine-hole municipal course in Illinois. It introduced thousands of Elgin residents to golf when the only alternative was a private country club, and it was open to players of both genders and many ages and abilities. A pump house and maintenance building from the 1980s do not contribute to its historic character.
Significance in brief: The course is argued to be locally significant for its role in Elgin's recreational history and as an example of landscape architecture. It is described as the oldest and best-preserved nine-hole municipal course in Illinois, keeping its original layout of tees, fairways and greens. It is also an early work of Thomas Bendelow, a prolific early golf course designer.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 09000027, listed February 18, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1000 Wing St., Elgin |
|---|---|
| County | Kane County |
| Listed | February 18, 2009 |
| Reference number | 09000027 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1908-1958 |
| Architect / builder | Thomas "Tom" Bendelow |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Landscape Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a golf course; the original configuration of tees, fairways and greens is largely retained, with a pond renovated in 2007 and two non-contributing service buildings added in the 1980s. |
| Acreage | 52 |
| Coordinates | 43.85178, -88.34089 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 09000027.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8025101
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.