Breaking new ground

An occasional feature of Small Town Living highlighting local landmarks and locations off the beaten path. We’ll feature a photo and it’s up to you to guess where it was taken.

One of the newest additions to Lee County’s crop of historical markers is this one out in the country. Did you know that Lee County was home to an agricultural first? This marker explains it. Where is it? Answer on page 35. CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

Adami Insurance Agency 712 First Avenue, Rock Falls 815-625-6220

Adami Insurance Agency 712 First Avenue, Rock Falls 815-625-6220 tracey.adamiinsurance@gmail.com tracey.adamiinsurance@gmail.com

Hugh F. Miller Insurance Agency, Inc. 801 First Avenue, Rock Falls 815-626-1300

First State Insurance 385 Chicago Rd, Paw Paw 815-627-8552 gsaf74@yahoo.com

First State Insurance 385 Chicago Rd, Paw Paw 815-627-8552 gsaf74@yahoo.com

Leffelman & Associates

Amboy 815-857-2125 lisa@leffelmanassoc.com

Query Insurance Agency, Inc. 330 May Mart Drive, Rochelle 815-562-4152 tbecker@crumhalsted.com

Stenzel Insurance 102 N. Elm, Franklin Grove 815-456-2319 office@stenzelinsurance.com

Stenzel Insurance 102 N. Elm Franklin Grove 815-456-2319 office@stenzelinsurance.com hughmillerinsurance.com

Hugh F. Miller Insurance Agency, Inc. 801 First Avenue, Rock Falls 815-626-1300 hughmillerinsurance.com

LaMoille 815-638-2171 lexi@leffelmanassoc.com

Sauk Valley Insurance Services 109 6th Street, Dixon 815-288-2541

Sauk Valley Insurance Services 109 6th Street, Dixon 815-288-2541 www.saukvalleyinsurance.com www.saukvalleyinsurance.com

Miller Insurance Group 427 N. Main Street, Rochelle 815-561-9911 insure10@frontier.com

Leffelman & Associates Amboy 815-857-2125 lisa@leffelmanassoc.com

Sublette 815-849-5219 chris@leffelmanassoc.com

Query Insurance Agency, Inc. 330 May Mart Drive, Rochelle 815-562-4152 tbecker@crumhalsted.com

Miller Insurance Group 427 N. Main Street, Rochelle 815-561-9911 insure10@frontier.com

LaMoille 815-638-2171 lexi@leffelmanassoc.com

Baylor Insurance Agency

Lee Center 815-857-2716

Sublette 815-849-5219 chris@leffelmanassoc.com rbaylor1@gmail.com

Cornerstone Insurance Agency

102 W. Main, Morrison 815-772-7782

Baylor Insurance Agency Lee Center 815-857-2716 rbaylor1@gmail.com lsandrock@2cornerstone.com

Mel Saad Agency 928 8th Avenue, Erie 309-659-2470 saad@mchsi.com

Cor nerstone Insurance Agency 102 W. Main Morrison 815-772-7782 lsandrock@2cornerstone.com

Kaczmarzyk Agency Inc.

1022 S IL Rt 2 Oregon (815)732-3148 kaczins@outlook.com

Mel Saad Agency 928 8th Avenue, Erie 309-659-2470 saad@mchsi.com

By Cody Cutter Sauk Valley Media

road trip is a nice way to experience Lee County, seeing the sights as you travel along its highways and byways, but if you really want to soak in the scenery, you should try one of its waterways. Franklin Creek.

This tributary of the Rock River travels a winding journey from near Grand Detour down to the west side of Franklin Grove before it splits off into three smaller streams. At least that’s what it looks like on a map. But there’s a lot more to that twisting and turning tributary than a thin blue line.

The creek’s watershed moments help channel rainfall and snowmelt where it needs to go, playing an important role in agriculture along the way as it takes in water from farm fields south of Franklin Grove; it supports a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna; and in places where the public can get a closer peek at the creek, it provides a beautiful backdrop for hikers and nature-lovers.

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Where it all begins The start of the stream that makes up the Franklin Creek watershed starts at a culvert on Hermann Road, a little over a mile east of Whitney Road (below). The water comes via drainage pipes from nearby fields (right), which collect rain and snow runoff into the stream.

Not too bad for just a squiggly little line on a map. As the crow flies, it’s only about a 6-mile trip from beginning to end of Franklin Creek, but if you were to put hiking boots on the ground and walk the length of it, it’d be a lot longer. The creek bends north and south and east and west through north central Lee County, through farm fields and nature preserves, over rocks and under bridges, wherever it decides to go with the flow. So what’s to see along the creek? Let’s take a look …

Origins

The Rock River’s first collection of Lee County water comes from Franklin Creek and its watershed, its mouth about 2,500 feet west of where Lost Nation Road goes over it. The mouth can be seen with binoculars looking south and slightly to the left of houses across the river from the boat launch wayside in Grand Detour. The creek meanders for about 2,000 feet through woods before coming out to divide farmland just before going under its first bridge. Just before the creek empties into the Rock River, Franklin Creek collects the Chamberlain Creek, which originates south of Nachusa.

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Franklin Creek stretches to one of its widest points, at about 50 feet, on that farm property; typically it’s only a few feet deep. Cattle from the farm will sometimes ford the creek and linger awhile in its cooling waters, which passing motorists can see from the Lost Nation Road bridge, about a quarter-mile south of the Flagg Road curve. A small wire fence is strung along the width of the creek right before it goes under the bridge to prevent the cattle from approaching it.

Going under Lost Nation Road, the creek connects with additional wooded areas as it approaches a pair of segments of Nachusa Grasslands.

Stone Barn Savanna & Jay Meiners Wetlands

While Franklin Creek doesn’t flow through the area where Nachusa Grasslands’ 100 head of buffalo roam, it comes close to it while winding through the restored prairie area.

The 300-acre Stone Barn Savanna area is a combination of extensive oak savanna, restored prairie openings, wetlands and sandstone cliffs. Hikers can access the area at the dead end at Stone Barn Road, and go through 1.8 miles of woods along marked trails.

Coming to a head

The Franklin Creek Headwaters site is where the creek takes shape, with the merger of two smaller creeks. The area around the merger point has been preserved as a natural prairie with a trail. Signs along the trail feature information on butterflies, wetland restoration, crop rotation, vegetative filler strips, no-till farming, pollinators and other nature preservation efforts and practices.

Franklin Creek State Natural Area features 882 acres of natural springs, hardwood forests, bedrock outcroppings and a large variety of flora and fauna in a pristine ecosystem that also includes a 198-acre nature preserve. It’s an excellent site for nature-lovers, providing a place for bird-watching, hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and more. Go to franklincreekconservation.org, under the Plan Your Visit menu, for more information.

PHOTOS: CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM cont’d from page 7

The Larry Dunphy Storybook Trail also is located at the east edge of the Franklin Creek State Natural Area, where children can walk along and read a story — “Mrs. Maple’s Seeds,” by Eliza Wheeler — posted on signs along the path. The trail is dedicated to Dunphy, co-owner of the Books on First in downtown Dixon, who passed away in 2019.

Franklin Creek State Natural Area provides parking and picnic areas, marked trails, and information kiosks to help visitors get more out of their visit.

Along the way, seven points of interest are posted on green signs, each directing hikers to websites explaining the sites in greater detail. The trail system consists of a 0.9-mile loop, and a 0.9-mile extension to the wetland and its waters, which drain into Franklin Creek.

After leaving the savanna area, the creek goes in a southward direction for 1 mile to go under Naylor Road and into the Jay Meiners Wetlands, named in honor of an avid local outdoorsman. This 80-acre tract consists of remnant prairie, planted prairie and crop fields to compliment marsh areas. Parking is along Naylor Road, about 200 feet east of Robbins Road.

Nachusa Grasslands encompasses 4,100 acres and is owned and maintained by The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental organization in Arlington, Virginia. The prairie’s open-air museum, on Lowden Road between Naylor and Flagg roads, is the central visitor attraction with exhibits and displays, and is the starting point of hiking trails that bring visitors closer to the bison.

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Like a bridge over Franklin’s waters

... Even the old bridges along Franklin Creek have a beauty and charm all their own. Right: The creek goes under this late 1800s stone arch bridge that carries the Union Pacific railroad's Overland Route line connecting Chicago and San Francisco. Below: This bridge used to carry U.S. Route 330 (later Alternate U.S. Route 30 and state Route 38) across the creek west of Franklin Grove. The bridge can be seen over the south ledge of the current bridge.

Flowing south for another 1,500 feet, the creek leads to an area administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources bearing the creek’s name.

Franklin Creek State Natural Area

This 880-acre polygon preserves flora and fauna along Franklin Creek’s path. The creek both enters and exits the park through thick, wooded areas with plenty of trails. In the middle of the park, the creek — on average about 25 feet wide within the park boundary — cuts through restored prairies and runs along a small rock bluff where it goes under Twist Road (so named because the road makes many twists).

CODY CUTTER/CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

Franklin Creek is at its widest — about 50 feet — near where it flows underneath a bridge on Lost Nation Road, about a mile east of Grand Detour.

ing trails totaling 4.5 miles in all also wind through the park, both in the woods and along the creek. Camping and horseback riding are also available. According to the IDNR, 19 species of fish have been recorded in the creek.

The creek maintains its shallow depth through the park, a treat of tranquility for visitors, especially where they can stop and hear the gurgling sounds of water flowing over rocks. Hik-

The park’s center, at the intersection of Twist and Old Mill roads, has a picnic area, playground, and an overlook shelter looking out to a large pond near the creek. Along the area’s eastern edge, off of Old Mill Road, is another playground and picnic area. The Larry Dunphy Storybook Trail also is located at the east edge of the area, where kids can walk along and read a story — “Mrs. Maple’s Seeds” by Eliza Wheeler — posted on signs along the path. The trail is dedicated to Dunphy, co-owner of the Books on First bookstore in downtown Dixon, who passed away in 2019.

The Franklin Creek Grist Mill

​In 1992, the Franklin Creek Conservation Association spearheaded an effort to reconstruct the Franklin Creek Grist Mill, raising nearly a half-million dollars to rebuild the 1847 water-driven mill. The new mill was dedicated Sept. 25, 1999. The group continues to raise funds to pay for the mill’s operation and maintenance, with no cost to the state.

Today, the mill — at 1893 Twist Road, Franklin Grove — serves as not only a tourist attraction, but the welcome and education center for the Franklin Creek State Natural Area. Information is available on hiking trails, wildlife, plants and the area’s geology. A bison exhibit is featured on the first floor, where visitors can learn more about the animals that once roamed the land, and still do at the nearby Nachusa Grasslands.

The mill is open noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from April through October, and noon-4 p.m. Fridays from June 1-Aug. 31. A public demonstration of grinding takes place the last Saturday of the month.

For more information, go to franklincreekconservation. org, call 815-456-2718, or e-mail engage@franklincreekconservation.org

Although the IDNR owns the natural area, the Franklin Creek Conservation Association puts in a substantial amount of work to maintain it.

The creek also serves as a source of power: The association operates a reconstructed grist mill on the property, built in 1992 utilizing the same blueprints of one originally built near the same site in 1847 by Joseph Emmert and Christian Lahman. The threestory museum, plus basement, recalls the days of milling and preservation of nearby natural habitats. The mill also grinds corn on occasion; demonstrations are made on the last Saturday of the month from April to October when the grindstones and mill wheel are in action.

Also located at the grist mill are informational flyers and trail-based scavenger hunts to get visitors more engaged in the surroundings.

One of the newest attractions to the park is Mill Spring Cottage, which guests can rent. The house was restored and is maintained by the Franklin Creek Conservation Association, overlooking the creek and the woods around it. The two bedroom, two bathroom house has a kitchen and a deck and can sleep up to seven guests.

The creek narrows as it exits the area and approaches the western edge of Franklin Grove.

Franklin Creek Headwaters

The official starting point of Franklin Creek is where two similarly sized streams converge near the Union Pacific railroad line east of the intersection of state Route 38 and Gap Road. The land around the merging point was acquired by the Franklin Creek Conservation Association in 2009 and has a trail also winding through its 80 acres. Entrances to the trail are off of North State Street in Franklin Grove, and off of state Route 38 east of the bridge over the creek.

Hidden from sight of motorists on Route 38 is an older bridge below and off to the south side of the current bridge. The Lincoln Highway cuts through the west and east sides of the village, but Route 38 was built in 1926 (then called U.S. Route 330) to pass through the northern part of town and off of the esteemed highway. The old bridge was later abandoned in favor of the current rerouting. The creek also flows under another unique bridge: an arch type made of stone carrying the railroad.

Along the trail of the headwaters site are 12 informational signs detailing information on butterflies, wetland restoration, crop rotation, vegetative filer strips, no-till farming, pollinators and other nature preservation efforts and practices.

Forming the watershed

At the merging point, the smaller of the two streams that make up Franklin Creek meanders north for about a mile, going under Route 38 once more through a culvert and crossing Old Mill Road north of there. The larger prong, Chaplin Creek, continues southward and flows along the edges of both a restored historical village that shares the creek’s name, as well as the Living History Antique Equipment Association showgrounds. This creek maintains a width of about 12 to 15 feet for its entirety.

Chaplin Creek Village, operated by the Franklin Grove Area Historical Society, consists of a replica historic village from the mid-1800s, similar to what Franklin Grove looked like upon its founding as Chaplin. The buildings open up during the village’s Summer Harvest Festival during the first weekend of August.

The Living History Antique Equipment Association has an annual show that also takes place on the first weekend of August. The event brings together antique farm equipment owners and their machines for showings and demonstrations of classic farming techniques. The event also has a petting zoo, a straw scramble and a parade with equipment.

Chaplin Creek itself continues south close to Whitney Road, and goes under a pair of culverts under Interstate 88. From there, the stream continues for another 1.5 miles until it reaches its beginning under a culvert below Hermann Road 1-1/4 miles east of Whitney Road. It’s here where runoff from the nearby fields drains into the creek to begin a winding course through areas with plenty to see, do and hear before it flows into the Rock River. n

Nachusa Grasslands (including Stone Barn Savanna and Jay Meiners Wetlands) — Trails open from dawn to dusk. Go to nachusagrasslands.org for more information and hiking guidelines. Stone Barn Savanna starting point is at 385 West Stone Barn Road, Dixon; Jay Meiners Wetlands parking is at 1359 Naylor Road, Franklin Grove.

Franklin Creek State Natural Area (including the Franklin Creek Grist Mill) 1872 Twist Road, Franklin Grove — Park open from dawn to dusk, grist mill open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from April to October, and from noon to 4 p.m. Friday from June to August. Go to franklincreekconservation.org, email engage@franklincreekconservation. org or call 815-456-2718 for more information on the park and grist mill, and dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.franklincreek for additional park information. Franklin Creek Headwaters, 135 N. State St., Franklin Grove — Trail open from dawn to dusk. Go to franklincreekconservation.org, email engage@ franklincreekconservation.org or call 815-456-2718 for more information.

Chaplin Creek Historic Village — 1715 Whitney Road, Franklin Grove: Buildings visible outside from dawn to dusk, and open up during Summer Harvest Festival from Aug. 4-6. Email info15@chaplincreek.com or go to chaplincreek.com for tours by appointment or for more information.

Living History Antique Equipment Association — 1674 Whitney Road, Franklin Grove: Annual show is Aug. 5-6. Go to lhaea.org for more information.