Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
10
County
Stark
Location And Access
From Bradford at jct. Hwys. 88 & 93, take Hwy. 93 west 2.2 miles. The nature preserve is north of the road. Special Note: Harper's Woods is a privately owned nature preserve. Entrance is by permission only.
Description
Harper's Woods is a 40 acre high quality dry-mesic and mesic upland forest. This forest remains today because of the Harper families and their interest in preservation. In 1865, John Hall acquired the property and sold it to family members, asking them to never cut or graze the timber. The preserve is located above the Spoon River flood plain. The old-growth forest is dominated by white oak, with sugar maple occurring in the understory. A diverse understory is also present. Common woodland wildlife includes squirrels, raccoon, chipmunk, woodpeckers and chickadees. The woods contain several loop trails; however, the preserve is privately owned and permission is required for access.
Ownership
Mrs. Betty Harper
Dedicated
February 23, 1983 as the 100th Illinois Nature Preserve
Size
40 acres
Topographic Quad
Bradford
Topo Map
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62706 (217/785-8774)