Hononegah Forest Preserve celebrates centennial anniversary
The preserve was purchased in 1924, the first in Winnebago County.
Hononegah Forest Preserve celebrated their centennial anniversary on Saturday, July 13, 2024. It was purchased in 1924, two years after the creation of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County.
Colorful balloons surrounded two photo boards, a squirrel on one and a bass frame on another. Families grilled out or enjoyed picnic foods while the very talented Viceroy Band, made up of Rockford natives, played rock and roll classics.
Yard games provided family fun. Guests of different ages challenged each other to corn hole, Jenga, extra large Connect Four, or a ball toss. Young ones found enjoyment in a bounce house.
Everyone creating nature inspired crafts inside the Towering Pines shelter had a choice of rock decorating or glorifying coloring pages with uniqueness.
North Area Park Ranger Amanda Farley tried her hand at rock decorating. In the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, she said, "We have 44 preserves that we take care of, 12 that have shelters and outhouses."
Staff gave away pencils with nature themed erasers: butterflies, ladybugs, cats or sharks.
Rockton's Dairyhaus, which has been in business for over 40 years, created a limited edition flavor for the event: Black Walnut ice cream. Dairyhaus owner Brent Murray said this of the recipe, “This is your grandfather's ice cream, a smooth maple ice cream inspired by the big maple trees at Hononegah Forest Preserve. It is complimented with robust, bold, tasty black walnuts, also inspired by trees at the park."
Representatives from the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County led guided hikes along the trails.
Lucy Adrignola and Pam Stock from Macktown Living History were on site to share facts about Native American culture, with a table loaded with goods and artifacts.
Winnebago County Forest Preserve merchandise was available for purchase, keeping the memory alive of our natural beauty and parks.
Forest Preserves of Winnebago County planned to finish out the celebration with an outdoor movie, complete with popcorn, courtesy of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department. Unfortunately as the movie "Leo'' began to play, it had to be stopped due to incoming storms.
Hononegah Forest Preserve holds a rich history. It is on the site of Birds Grove, Stephen Mack's original settlement at the mouth of Dry Run Creek. Hononegah Forest Preserve is located on the north bank of the Rock River and is bisected by Dry Run Creek.
The land where Willowbrook School is built is now called “Birds Grove Prairie” in honor of that first settlement.
A partial history of Birds Grove for the years of 1829-1835 shows that when Stephen Mack and Hononegah fled from Grand Detour, IL for good, they went up the Rock River into present day Winnebago County and built a cabin in a Winnebago village at the present site of Hononegah Forest Preserve.
Mack's sojourn there was peaceful until the outbreak of the Black Hawk War when a party of Black Hawk's braves raided his cabin searching for his supply of gunpowder (which Mack had succeeded in hiding).
On May 9, 1832, Mack was run out of his cabin, and he and Hononegah fled to Chicago, which had less than 200 residents at the time.
Today Hononegah Forest Preserve sits on 228.2 acres of land. It is complete with an access road, drinking water, picnic tables, and three shelter houses.
While entering the preserve, visitors can enjoy the drive over the Rainbow Bridge and up into the cool maple grove.
On the grounds sit campsites that are interspersed in a mature stand of white oaks and hickories. A fishing boat launch allows access to the Rock River.
Holley Hulmes reflects on time that she has spent at Hononegah Forest Preserve. “I have been regularly visiting the park for the past 15 years. It's been a personal favorite of mine in our local area and within the Winnebago County Forest Preserves.
It is home to a variety of wildlife species and a phenomenal place for bird watchers.
Hulmes adds, “I commonly see a variety of bird species out there, but I most adore seeing the Great Horned owls that call it their home.”
After 100 years of capturing the best of beauty and nature, Hononegah Forest Preserve is still standing and ready to welcome even more visitors.
