Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
1
County
Winnebago
Location
The reserve is situated on a high terrace on the northwest side of the Rock River and approximately 1.5 miles northeast of the confluence of the Kishwaukee River. It is within a 1.5-mile radius of three Illinois Natural Areas Inventory sites.
Description
The site protects significant cultural resources in the form of earthen mounds constructed by ancient cultures during the Middle Woodland (200 B.C. to A.D. 350) and Late Woodland (A.D. 700-1000) periods. The site is documented to contain 22 mound features. One of these mound features is a rare panther effigy – likely the only one of its kind remaining intact within the State of Illinois. Other mound features on site are linear and conical in shape. The dominant community type is dry-mesic savanna. Mature canopy trees of this natural community consist of shagbark hickory, white oak, bur oak, and some honey locust. Younger canopy trees such as black cherry, red oak, and American elm are also abundant.
Ownership
Smeja Homestead Foundation
Natural Division
Freeport Section of the Rock River Hill Country Natural Division (#2a)
Registered
September 2013
Size
17 acres
Access
The site is not open to the public.
Topographic Quad
Rockford South
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov