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2 / OutdoorIllinois July 2010

When it comes to the willof volunteers, one of Illi-nois’ finest examplesexists at Franklin CreekState Natural Area.

Celebrating their 30th anniversarynext year, the Franklin Creek AreaPreservation Committee secured dona-tions of money and labor, along withassistance from the Franklin GroveFuture Farmers of America, to constructroads, shelters, picnic tables,

For more than 30 years, volunteers have helped shape Franklin Cr e

Volunteers Power Lee Cou

Story By Kathy AndrewsPhotos By Adele Hodde

restrooms, run underground electriclines, drill wells and clear hiking trailsfor a new state facility in Lee County.Thanks to the efforts of the volunteers,Franklin Creek State Natural Area wasofficially dedicated on August 28, 1982.

The community spirit didn’t wane,but continued for another decade asvolunteers raised funds, and con-tributed thousands of hours of labor,to reconstruct an 1847 water-drivengrist mill originally built by ReverendJoseph Emmert and his son-in-lawChristian Lahman.

For nearly 30 years the volunteereffort has remained true to their origi-nal purpose: to preserve the area’s his-tory. Today, volunteers staff theFranklin Creek Grist Mill, providing visi-tors a first-hand tour of a 19th centurytimber-frame mill, discussing construc-tion techniques and demonstrating howcorn meal and wheat flour were pro-duced on the American frontier.

The committee recently acquiredthe Franklin Creek Headwaters proper-ty, an 80-acre tract named for the threestreams that converge to help form

untyPark

Established in 1999, the IllinoisClean Energy Community Foundationinvests in clean energy developmentand land preservation efforts, workingwith communities and residents toimprove environmental quality in Illi-nois. Using a $225 million endowmentprovided by Commonwealth Edison,the foundation has funded more than3,000 grants in three program areas:improving energy efficiency, develop-ing renewable energy resources, andpreserving and enhancing natural areasand wildlife habitat throughout Illinois.To date, Foundation Natural Area grantshave helped to protect more than14,500 acres throughout the state.

“The headwaters project combinesthe best of multiple worlds,” explainedJolie Krasinski, foundation programofficer. “It is the coming together ofpublic and private efforts to makesomething happen during what hasbeen a relatively challenging time forland conservation in the state. Thefoundation was, and is, most impressedby the group’s work to build a publicand privately owned, but publiclyaccessible, trail from the town ofFranklin Grove to Nachusa Grasslands.This group sees beyond the boundariesof their preserve and tries to not onlymake it relevant to the local citizens(though connections with the historyand culture of the area), but of interestand enjoyment to the larger region by

working to connect Franklin CreekState Natural Area to another signifi-cant natural area of the state.”

Seeking a quiet retreat from theirbusy lives in the Chicago suburbs, andplanning for their retirement years,John and Louise Husar purchased prop-erty bordered on two sides by FranklinCreek SNA. John, an award-winningsportswriter, columnist for the ChicagoTribune and advocate for wildliferestoration, hunting and fishing accessin Illinois, found much of his inspira-tion while at the Franklin Creek cabin.

After John’s untimely death in2000, Louise proceeded with the planto retire to Lee County, enjoying thecan-do attitude of the local folk andpeacefulness of the park. When the

need arose toquickly acquire acritical tract ofland, Louiseoffered to loanthe committeemoney raised fora memorial to herlate husband. The

memorial money was combined withother resources to make the land pur-chase possible.

“I couldn’t think of a more fittingtribute to John than assisting with theexpansion of the park he considered

eek State Natural Area.

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Franklin Creek. Among the primaryfunders were individuals, the localbank, the Illinois Clean Energy Commu-nity Foundation and the John HusarMemorial fund.

Volunteers provide guided

tours of the reconstructed

1847 water-driven grist mill

at Franklin Creek State

Natural Area.

A historic, stone railroad bridge

spans a stream within the

newly acquired Franklin Creek

Headwaters property.

Franklin Creek volunteers include a

local school who enhanced a prairie

restoration area as a part of the Earth

Day in the Parks program. July 2010 OutdoorIllinois / 3

Louise Husar

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4 / OutdoorIllinois July 2010

carved a scenic valley and exposedthree distinct rock strata, includingNew Richmond sandstone. Dating back500 million years, this is the oldestexposed rock formation in Illinois, andis found only at Franklin Creek and oneother location.

On a hill prairie remnant grow Indi-an grass, tall dropseed, false toadflax,flowering spurge and hoary puccoon.Canada yew, an evergreen shrub ofmore northern woods, grows on anundisturbed cliff community, alongwith bladdernut, bishop’s cap, shoot-ing star and several species of ferns.Seeps and springs within the forestsupport moist-soil plants such as skunk

cabbage, wild black currant andswamp rose.

To experience the scenic beauty ofthe linear, 882-acre park, head out onPioneer Pass, a 1.85 mile trail that con-nects two day use areas located on eachend of the park. Each day-use area has aloop trail (the popular Mill Springs Trailis a 1/3-mile concrete-surfaced trail suit-able for people of all mobility levels)which also connects to Pioneer Pass. Atotal of 4.5 miles of marked hiking trailsexist here.

Thanks to the efforts of another part-ner, the Rock River Trail and HorsemanAssociation, an extensive, 12-mile eques-trian trail system was developed, whichriders find interesting for the variety ofterrains and vegetation. After the hunt-ing season (white-tailed deer and wild

one of Illinois’ hidden gems,” Louisesaid. “John was a very spiritual manand I plan to eventually use the memo-rial funds to enhance this park as aspiritual retreat.”

In addition to commemorating set-tlement of the region, preserving theland known as Franklin Creek State Nat-ural Area also recognizes an area withrich geologic and natural resources.

The same features that drew pioneerfamilies in the 1830s—large, coolsprings, hardwood forests, a pic-turesque creek and deep valleys pro-tected from winter winds—are whatled to the 1970 designation of 198 acresas Illinois’ 24th nature preserve.

Flowing through the site for thou-sands of years, Franklin Creek has

Site amenities include volunteer-led

youth bow hunting workshops and

accessible fishing opportunities.

Remnant and restored prairies recall

the landscape that attracted pioneer-

ing families settling the Franklin

Creek area in the 1830s.

At a glanceFranklin Creek State NaturalArea, 1872 Twist Road, FranklinGrove, IL 61031Telephone: (815) 456-2878Web site: dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r1/franklin.htmDirections: Franklin Creek SNA islocated between Rochelle and Dixon.Traveling on Illinois Route 38, turnnorth on Daysville Road, on the westside of the small town of FranklinGrove, and go one block to Old MillRoad. Turn left (west) on Old Mill Roadand proceed 1 mile to the site.

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July 2010 OutdoorIllinois / 5

The Mill Pond provides a moreaccessible fishing spot and supports apopulation of largemouth and small-mouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish andbullhead.

For a more formal picnic setting,select one of the five shelters located inNorwegian Hill and Mill Springs DayUse Areas, each supplied with electrici-ty, cooking grills, picnic tables,restrooms and drinking water. Four ofthe shelters may be reserved through

reserveamerica.com. The parking lot atSunday’s Bridge—named for the 1800s-era family residing there—providesaccess to four walk-in picnic facilities.

Franklin Creek SNA is an area rich inhistory and bounding with local pride forthe power of volunteers. Plan a visit thisyear, and let them show you what theexcitement is all about.

turkey), and when conditions permit, aportion of the trail sees use by snowmo-bilers and cross-country skiers. The asso-ciation also developed an outdoor showarea and welcomes riders and observersto their two annual horse shows.

“The June show is a formal event,with a large crowd of horses and vari-ety of rider skill levels,” Joyce O’Brien,association president, said. “Timedevents take place on Saturday, followedby horsemanship classes on Sunday.”

The September weekend is market-ed as a Fun Show and includes a pokerrun and events for the entire family. Forfurther information on the events, visitrrtha.tripod.com/rrtha.html.

Tempted by the cool, clear watersin Franklin Creek? Fishing is permittedon state-owned land, so be sure topick up a park map to verify that youare on park property. The map depictsthree ponds, Dysart, Senger and BlackBass, which actually are wide spots inthe creek made popular by early set-tler families. Carry on a tradition dat-ing back more than 165 years. Gatheryour fishing equipment and the familyfor a Sunday picnic at one of the“ponds” and try for a limit of small-mouth bass, channel catfish, carp, red-horse and, when stocked, rock bassthat reside in the creek.

Area attractionsThe newly acquired Franklin Creek Headwaters property straddles Illinois Route 38,

providing the opportunity to develop the highly visible site as a model for best-use landmanagement practices and erect an informational kiosk promoting area attractions. Inaddition, creation of a 5.5-mile public access trail is proposed, beginning at the westedge of Franklin Grove, passing through the Headwaters property and connecting toexisting trails at Franklin Creek SNA and Nachusa Grasslands.

Lincoln HighwayThe Lincoln Highway Association was created in 1913 and resulted in a 3,400 mile

coast-to-coast highway which enters Illinois at Chicago Heights and exits near Fulton. Theassociation’s national headquarters is located at Franklin Grove in a dry goods store builtin 1860 by Henry Isaac Lincoln. For further information see lincolnhighwayassoc.org.

Chapin Creek Historic VillageThe Franklin Grove Area Historical Society has created Chaplin Creek Historic Vil-

lage, an evolving prairie settlement typical of the middle 19th century. Among the build-ings are a forge, saltbox house, school house, village jail, an early settler’s cabin and Eng-lish-style barn. Several special events occur during the year including the Summer Har-vest Festival. The village is open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays noon-4 p.m.from mid April to mid October. For information call (815) 456-2382 or visit franklingroveil.org/testt.htm.

Nachusa GrasslandsWith more than 3,000 acres of land under protection, Nachusa Grasslands is one of

Illinois’ largest prairies. Located 4 miles northwest of Franklin Grove on Lowden Road,the grassland serves as a living model for land management techniques and natural areasrestoration. For further information, contact The Nature Conservancy at (815) 973-0245.

The purpose of the Rock River Trail& Horseman Association, estab-

lished in 1940 and Illinois’ oldest horseclub, is to promote horsemanship andhorseback riding for pleasure, and stim-ulate and maintain interest in ridinghorses. For information on upcomingevents, visit http://rrtha.tripod.com/rrtha.html, e-mail rrthapresident@gmail.com or call (815) 973-1371 or(815) 541-9522. Events are at FranklinCreek State Natural Area unless other-wise noted.

Sept. 18, 2 p.m., Poker RunSept. 19, 10 a.m., Fun Show, canter

lope84@yahoo.com or (815)501-6874

Oct. 9, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s BenefitRide & Chili Dump, location TBA

Oct. 10, 2 p.m. St. Jude’s BenefitPoker Run, location TBAAn extensive equestrian program

exists at Franklin Creek thanks to the

efforts of the Rock River Trail and

Horseman Association.