History
The last recorded Native American village in this area existed in what is now Coral Woods. European settlers arrived in 1836 and settled in Coral Township. The woods were subdivided and a stagecoach route was established along the former Indian trails running from Chicago to Galena. By 1872, most of Coral Woods was divided into small 2-4 acre timber lots. Fields were cleared for livestock grazing and hay production. In the 1920’s, during prohibition, a farm was disguised as a hog raising operation but it was really a hot spot for manufacturing and distilling alcohol where the spent mesh was fed to over 180 hogs.
The District made its first land acquisitions for this site in 1976. The site opened to the public in 1988. This site is now 775 acres and is 1 of only 8 oak groves in McHenry County that contains 100 acres or more of continuous oak woodland. It also boats the county’s largest sugar maple grove where trees have stood for 80-100 years. It is now the site of the annual Festival of the Sugar Maples in March.
GeoSeries Question
The MCCD staff love this site and trail because it is very secluded and you can see ducks, hear frogs and see beautiful spring flowers. They all say the site is spectacular in the fall and the spring. What type of duck will make its nest in the cavities of trees near the water?
To learn how to participate in the GeoSeries and earn a special District geocoin visit MCCDistrict.org/Geocache
Geocachers
Please join us in playing! Geocaching is a high-tech “treasure hunting” game played throughout the world by adventure seeker. All are welcome who observe and obey the rules.
- Please do not move or vandalize the container.
- Once you find it, log your name in the book, take a trinket and leave one of your own behind for the next person.
- Replace the cache in the same spot that you found it, and make sure it is completely covered.
- Please do not remove the informational card from the containers, this is an essential game piece for cachers completing the GeoSeries.
- The real treasure is finding the container and sharing your thoughts with everyone who finds it.
For a complete list of rules and instructions on how to earn a special district geocoin visit MCCDistrict.org/Geocache
Email geocaching@MCCDistrict.org with any questions or concerns
McHenry County Conservation District Information
Visit our website at MCCDistrict.org or call (815) 338-6223
Photo Release
5/20/2021 Photos posted here may be featured on the McHenry County Conservation District's various social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, and twitter, as well as our website (MCCDistrict.org) and print material such as Landscapes Magazine. By posting photos to this log you agree to allow us to share your work. Photographers will be acknowledged in any shares or posts of photos, so please include your name in your post if it is different from that of your username.