Franklin Creek History

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1800's
Following the Black Hawk “War” of 1832, pioneer families began to settle in the Franklin Creek area. These settlers of European descent found the area to provide an inviting respite from the sometimes hostile prairie. Large, cool springs - said by Native Americans to be good medicine water - provided drinking water as well as early refrigeration. Hardwood forests provided construction materials, and the creek provided fish for food in addition to the water power necessary to run saw and grist mills. ​The deep, pleasant valleys protected by limestone and sandstone bluffs made ideal homesteads shielded from cold winter winds. The mill spring, the largest in the natural area, provided water power for the largest gristmill in Lee County, constructed in 1847. Still today, many ponds and rock outcroppings along Franklin Creek carry names given to them by pioneer families.

1980's
Franklin Creek Conservation Area (FCCA), a non-profit charitable organization, was founded in 1981 by area citizens to protect the Franklin Creek watershed from development. Dedication services were held August 28, 1982 to officially open the State Natural Area. 

Although part of the area was officially designated as a State Natural Area in 1982, the IDNR did not staff the area during the first five years.  During this time the FCCA committee secured donations of money and labor, along with assistance from the Franklin Grove Future Farmers of America, to construct roads, shelters, picnic tables, restrooms, drill wells, run underground electric lines, and build hiking trails. Volunteers also maintained the natural area during this period. In April of 1986, the State of Illinois (IDNR) hired a site superintendent to manage the new natural area. 

​1990's
​In the fall of 1992, FCCA received permission from IDNR to reconstruct the historic Franklin Creek Grist Mill. The committee raised approximately $500,000 to fund materials and contributed thousands of hours of labor to construct an 1847 water-driven grist mill; the mill was originally built by Reverend Joseph Emmert and his son-in-law Christian Lahman. The reconstructed grist mill was dedicated on September 25, 1999 and FCCA received a 40-year renewable lease to manage the mill as a visitor center. To this date the FCCA raises funds to pay for all the operational and maintenance costs of the mill with no charge to the state of Illinois.

Today the mill serves as a welcome and education center and is a tourist attraction.

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Marty Connors and his son, Joey, enjoy some late afternoon fishing.

​2000's
In 2006 the committee decided that a handicapped accessible fishing pier at the Mill Pond was needed. Along with a significant gift from the community that was fundraised by Louise Husar in memory of her husband John, an award-winning sportswriter and columnist for the Chicago Tribune, the committee raised the necessary funds to construct the fishing pier. The John Husar Memorial Fishing Pier was dedicated on October 14, 2006.

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Current
FCCA branched out into land acquisition and restoration, while continuously operating the Mill. It was decided to acquire and protect privately owned valuable natural land that borders either the Franklin Creek State Natural Area or the Franklin Creek, when it is put up for sale by its owners. In 2009 ​FCCA purchased the 80-acre Headwaters property - the old Ramsdall Farm -  as a link between the Village of Franklin Grove and the State Natural Area. In 2011 FCCA purchased the 40-acre Hurd property and in 2014 the adjacent 23-acre Kelley property. In 2017 the 4.5 acre property at 1480 Old Mill Road and in 2021 the 3.43 acre Logan property was bought. All of these properties were bought with help from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, local donations, and loans totaling almost $1,000,000. Both the Hurd and Kelly properties were on the original acquisition list when the natural area was planned but only recently became available.

​Hurd was sold to the State in early 2015 and Kelley soon after. FCCA continues to own and restore the Headwaters, 1480, and the recently acquired Logan parcel next to Headwaters. FCCA hopes to sell these properties to the State eventually as well. To date FCCA has purchased and is restoring four properties totaling 151 acres. 63 acres have been sold to the State and 88 remain in FCCA ownership.

	Timeline
1800's	Pioneer families made the Franklin Creek area their home.
1847	The largest grist mill in Lee County was constructed.
1981	FCCA, a non-profit charitable organization, was founded.
1982	Dedication services were held to officially open the State Natural Area. Part of the area was officially designated as a State Natural Area.
1986	IDNR hired a site superintendent to manage the area.
1992	FCCA received permission from IDNR to reconstruct the historic Franklin Creek Grist Mill.
1999	The mill was dedicated and FCCA received a 40-year renewable lease to manage the Mill as a visitor center.
2006	The dedication of the John Husar Memorial Fishing Pier.
2009-present	FCCA branched out into land acquisition and restoration. Five properties totaling 151 acres were purchased and restored.