Compass Points from the Centennial Hill
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Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.
Logging Requirements:
Please post a picture of your GPS and/or yourself by the informational kiosk at GZ
This reward was quite a surprise! While I'm not so involved in geocaching anymore, it was an honor to know that geocachers contributed to this reward by marking favorite points on some of my caches. “There are so many people I wish to thank (sniffle-sniffle)”. Seriously, thank YOU for showing appreciation. There were many options & ideas to consider about this virtual cache, but I decided upon this locale, so I hope you enjoy the views & information.
This is the Centennial Hill. It is formed by man, as tons of earth were removed for a project called the McCook Reservoir (about 7 miles northeast). An informational kiosk at GZ explains its story. From here, you may see and hear the activities of humans – the passing trains, a barge, the flight pattern for both major airports. Of course, there may be cyclists, hikers, or geocachers on the trail below – the Centennial Trail – which was named in honor of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s 100th Anniversary. You may also be inspired by a soaring bald eagle or a hawk, or witness wildlife such as deer, coyotes, and rabbits.
There is also much history to be learned at this point! During your visit, please review these points of interest. Some are more/less observable, based on the season & greenery; others might require your imagination.
Ranging from 60° to 270°:
At its closest point (less than a half mile away) is the Mount Forest Island. This a geologic term used to describe the long, triangular-shaped rise of land stretching 7+ miles from Hickory Hills to Lemont. This rise of land remained above glacial meltwaters which carved the Des Plaines River valley and the Sag valley, thus it was deemed a geologic island. Both valleys meet – and the Mount Forest Island’s western terminus exists -- about 1 mile southwest of where you stand right now.
Studies show that various eras of native people presence occurred on this swath of land, as it contained numerous encampments and villages. IL Route 171 (Archer Avenue) also runs through the valley: it followed a native peoples’ trail and joined with a few other trails – somewhat similar to the present junction of IL-171, IL-83, and 107th Street.
The Illinois & Michigan Canal (1000 feet distant at its closest point): Completed in 1848, the canal linked the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River (and beyond). Mule drawn barges plied its waters on a 96-mile journey from Chicago to LaSalle, IL.
The Chicago Sanitary & Ship (CS&S) Canal -- quite visible to the south: Completed in 1900, this canal was used to reverse the flow of the Chicago River, carrying with it the sewage and drainage waters of the booming city. Ship and barge traffic also became common as its 28-mile-long corridor connected Chicago with the Des Plaines River, the Illinois River, and the Mississippi.
At 110° (1 mile distant): The original site of Argonne Laboratory. At the site in the 1940’s was a bustling lab which operated in secrecy while conducting atomic experiments. A reactor is buried at the site, portions of lab facilities remain, and informational kiosks share the site’s history. The “new”/modern Argonne National Laboratory is 3 miles west of where you stand.
At 184° (.70 miles distant): The historic St. James at Sag Bridge Church and Cemetery. The St. James Parish is one of the oldest parishes in Chicago, established in 1833 at the will of those Irish who toiled while digging the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The church structure was completed in 1862. Yet long prior to that, native peoples occupied the site; they must have had a commanding view over the valleys and trails passing through the lands.
Ranging from 248° north and east to 54° (and beyond):
The Des Plaines River: The river was channeled (straightened) in the late 1800’s to make room for the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal. Only a small stretch remains original to form, and that is about 40° and .40 miles away. To the southwest, a narrow 2-mile-long island once existed, but it was obliterated during CS&S Canal construction. The border of Cook & DuPage Counties had followed a portion of that island and the river’s original course; look at a modern map to get an idea of the former lay-of-the-land.
Also in this range is the Potowatomi “Trail of Chips” which connected native people villages of the northeast to the major encampments and villages downriver in the present-day Black Partridge Woods and Keepataw Woods preserves (Lemont area). I think the present BNSF rail line traces its route.
At 258° (1 mile distant): Signal Hill in DuPage County’s Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve. A small encampment of native peoples communicated across the river valley using signal fires with those who occupied the camp prior to the settlement established at St. James.
At 347° (.43 miles distant): The former locale of the town of Byrneville. It was a more of whistle stop town for the railroad, but the town hoped to compete with nearby Athens (Lemont) in the quarrying industry. However, nothing remains of Byrneville.
At 52° (20 miles distant): Downtown Chicago. The Sears/Willis Tower and a few other downtown structures are visible.
Yes, that's a lot of reading, but the area is loaded with history, some lesser-known, some forgotten. At least the logging requirement is easy. Thank you for visiting!
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