Protection of Archaeological Resources

Native American village sites and 39 burial mounds perserved
316 acres at the confluence of the Galena and Mississippi Rivers acquired by JDCF, spring of 2011

Sometimes opportunities present themselves that are so inspiring that they move us into action. The spring of 2011 saw such inspiration. It resulted in the acquisition of the Hess property just outside of the City of Galena. Located at the confluence of the Galena River and the Mississippi River, this 316 acre bluff property includes a concentration of important Native American burial mounds and village sites.

This site, known as Portage, was originally documented by William Baker Nickerson in the late 1800's. The mounds range from the Middle Woodland (200 B.C. to 400 A.D.) and Late Woodland (400 A.D. to 1,000 A.D.). There is evidence of two village sites, and a rock shelter situated in the valleys surrounding the ridge lines where the mounds are located.

The Middle Woodland mounds found on the Hess property are older and larger than those found at the other JDCF sites nearby. The mounds range from 4-6 feet in height and 10-15 feet in diameter. This makes them extremely prominent along the bluffs of the river.

Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois

A Division of JDCF

A donation from the Hamill Family Foundation made acquisition of the Hess property possible. The property's collection of burial mounds and its context to other JDCF sites inspired members of the Foundation to partner with JDCF. Both groups worked cooperatively to acquire the site in May 2011.

The Hess property is situated in between Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve and the Keough Effigy Mounds Land & Water Reserve.

Plans are to eventually open the site for public use, but JDCF will take its time to develop a vision for the future of the site.