Schaumburg in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Welcome to Spring Valley

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 29, 2024

1. Welcome to Spring Valley Marker

Inscription. Spring Valley is a living museum with 135 acres preserved as a nature study area, wildlife sanctuary, and 19th century farm. It is here for your enjoyment and enlightenment, but please remember that you are a visitor and a guest! Enjoy your visit by walking quietly on trails, taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of the prairie and farm, and immersing yourself in the land's beauty.

Most of Spring Valley is being restored to represent northern Illinois as it looked over 100 years ago — a quiet landscape of colorful prairies, woods, wetlands, and farms. Allow its beauty and diversity to surprise you. Learn from the land's wisdom and deepen your understanding of its past, present, and future.

Erected by Schaumburg Park District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 42° 1.645′ N, 88° 3.088′ W. Marker is in Schaumburg, Illinois, in Cook County. It can be reached from Schaumburg Road (County Route A66) 0.3 miles west of Meacham Road, on the right when traveling east. The sign is next to the parking lot next to the Nature Center and a short walk to the Bison's

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Bluff play area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1111 East Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg IL 60193, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Illinois' Original Lawn & Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Downy Hawthorn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cockspur Hawthorn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Choke Cherry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pecan (approx. ¼ mile away); Hackberry (approx. ¼ mile away); Shagbark Hickory (approx. ¼ mile away); Red Osier Dogwood (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Schaumburg.

More about this marker. This is one of several identical signs that can be found at various entrances to this park.

Also see . . .
1. Spring Valley and the Merkle Family Who Lived There. From the History of Schaumburg Township blog, a look at the Merkles, who purchased an 80-acre tract of land that would later become part of Spring Valley. (Submitted on November 2, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Schaumburg Park District: Spring Valley. (Submitted on November 2, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 29, 2024

2. Welcome to Spring Valley Marker

Spring Valley prairie image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 29, 2024

3. Spring Valley prairie

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.