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

Santa Fe Prairie

An Illinois Nature Preserve

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 5, 2024

1. Santa Fe Prairie Marker

Inscription. Santa Fe Prairie Nature Preserve has been formally dedicated as a sanctuary for native plants and animals. It is maintained in its natural condition so that present and future generations can see the Illinois landscape as it appeared in the past. This living example of our natural heritage is valuable for scientific studies and may provide habitat for rare plants and animals.

A high-quality feature of this preserve is the mesic gravel prairie, which is rated by The Nature Conservancy as globally rare and threatened throughout its range. Surrounding lands have been managed to support natural forest, prairie, and wetlands, all to the benefit of Santa Fe Prairie.

This preserve is owned by the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Civic Center Authority. Entrance is by permission only. Remain in the mowed areas. Domestic animals prohibited. Please protect and perpetuate the nature preserve by not disturbing or removing anything. All features are protected by law.

Erected by Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment

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• Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and the Illinois & Michigan Canal series lists.

Location. 41° 45.554′ N, 87° 51.409′ W. Marker is in Hodgkins, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Leon Cook Drive 0.3 miles east of Santa Fe Drive, on the right. The marker faces Leon Cook Drive at the entrance into the prairie reserve. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Grange IL 60525, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to Santa Fe Prairie (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Santa Fe Prairie

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 5, 2024

2. Santa Fe Prairie Marker

Leon Cook Road rises over a railway in the distance.

(about 600 feet away); The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. (about 600 feet away); Betz & Swink (about 700 feet away); Hodgkins Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old Glory (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hodgkins.

More about this marker. An identical sign can be found next to the Santa Fe caboose inside the park, about 225 yards southwest of this spot. The Des Plaines River runs nearby to the south.

Regarding Santa Fe Prairie. The Santa Fe Railroad donated this land to the Civic Center Authority in 1997. The rare prairie remnant has survived even as it had been completely enveloped by change on all sides, including nearby manmade features within a mile of the site such as railways, the I&M Canal, Interstates 55 and 294, and numerous industrial sites.

Also see . . . Civic Center Authority: Santa Fe Prairie.

Excerpt: "The Prairie Restoration movement began at Santa Fe Prairie when Floyd Swink, chief taxonomist at the Morton Arboretum, brought
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 5, 2024

3. Santa Fe Prairie Marker
The Des Plaines River, frozen on this cold December day, can be seen across the road heading into the Santa Fe Prairie Reserve.
Dr. Robert Betz to the site in 1959. Dr. Betz, a biologist at Northeastern Illinois University, was so fascinated by seeing a real prairie, he promptly resolved to pursue prairie restoration. The first major success in the effort to save Santa Fe Prairie came in 1988 when Stan Johnson, Chairman of the Civic Center Authority, convinced the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway to let the Authority manage the site. He then recruited Karen Stasky and Gregg Starr as site stewards. After decades of persuasion, the Railway donated the Prairie (1997) along with a caboose (1998) to the Civic Center Authority."

(Submitted on December 5, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.