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History

These preserves are situated on a ridge of glacial drift known to geologists as the Tinley moraine. It was deposited by the last glacier, as it retreated from this area, on the easterly edge of the Valparaiso moraine deposited by that glacier after a previous and more southerly invasion.

Northerly and easterly lies the flat Chicago Plain, much lower, which was the bed of ancient Lake Chicago and largely swampland until recent times. Southwesterly, and also covered by the ancestor of Lake Michigan at its highest stage, are low areas known as the "Deep Prairie". Formerly large swamps, they are now drained by Tinley Creek, originally called Bachelor's Grove Creek, and Midlothian Creek. These streams, after the glacier disappeared, eroded deep channels thru the Tinley moraine and meandered across the Chicago Plain until, near what is now Blue Island, they emptied into Stony Creek. Stony Creek has been superseded by the Calumet-Sag Channel.

The human history of the Tinley Creek Division is typical of many Chicagoland areas. "Yankees" from New England states came first. Bachelor's Grove, a large wooded area including the forest preserve north of 151st St., was occupied about 1833 by a group of single men while perfecting their titles to tracts of land purchased at $1.25 per acre. Among them was Stephen Rexford, one of the founders of Blue Island. Each man had a five-acre woodlot in the grove.

The St. Mihiel and Oak Forest area was then called Cooper's Grove, but the reason for that name is unknown. In 1848 the name of its post office was changed to New Bremen and the one at Bachelor's Grove became Bremen.

This locality was settled largely by German people. After the Rock Island Railroad was completed to Chicago in 1852, a town called Bremen was platted at what is now Tinley Park It had street names such as Kirchen Strasse and Market Platz but the principal north and south street, Oak Park Ave, was called Bachelor Grove Avenue. Tinley Park, named for three Rock Island RR men, was incorporated as such in 1892.

Points of Interest

Lake managed for sport fishing.

Wildlife Refuge.

Area enjoyable when spring wildflowers bloom.

Slopes for Winter Coasting

Overlook with exceptional scenic view

Tinley Creek Division Headquarters.

Turtlehead Lake, one of several Forest Preserve lakes dug to provide earth fill for the Tri-State Tollway.

Deep ravines and guilles along Tinley Creek.

Bicycle trail access.

Tinley Creek Woods, notable for a few huge oaks surviving from the primeval forest in this region.

Camp Falcon, a camping center for youth groups by permit only.

Camp Sullivan, a camping center for youth groups by permit only.

Site of Goeselville, once a crossroads trading place and post office on the Midlothian Turnpike.

Carlson Springs, one of the few large springs now flowing in Cook County.

Midlothian Turnpike, originally an Indian trail and later a country road from Harlem Ave. and 151st St., thru Goeselivlle to Blue Island.

Oak Forest Hospital, Cook County institution for the indigent, aged and infirm.

Franciscan Monastery serving Oak Forest Hospital.

Indian Boundary Line, beginning at a point on the shore of Lake Michigan; lO miles south of the mouth of the Chicago River. South boundary of a strip, 20 miles wide from Chicago to Ottawa, ceded by the Potawatomi and allied tribes in 1816.

Tinley Creek Forestry Headquarters.

Model Airplane Flying Field

The George W. Dunne National Golf Course (18 Hole)

Trails

In the Tinley Creek division, there is an improved trail that begins at 151st St. west of Harlem Ave. and, using two underpasses beneath Route 42A, completes a loop extending east of that highway.

There are no improved trails in the preserves north of 43rd St. and extending from Central Ave. to west of Harlem Ave. However, many interesting and enjoyable walks may be taken in those areas, either along existing footpaths or cross-country at random.

More information about Forest Preserve Trails

Interesting Things

• Various species of waterfowl and shorebirds, some rare, may be observed feeding and resting in the marsh areas north of Vollmer Road during the spring and fall migration periods.
• A high point along 159th Street, just east of Oak Park Avenue, provides an unusual view of the Chicago skyline, approximately 20 miles to the northeast.
• The Yankee Woods and St. Mihiel areas are abundant with spring and fall wildflowers, as well as spectacular autumn color. Small fragments of native prairie containing rare species of plant and insect life also occur in these areas.
• Blackberry, dewberry and raspberry patches plentiful in meadows' and woodland openings at many locations and ripe for picking in July.
• Mushrooms plentiful in many woodlands during autumn.
• Large areas of Tinley Creek Division were forested during the 1960's. These trees are growing well and provide an excellent wildlife habitat. Natural area restoration to improve the quality of the environment continues throughout the District.

About this page...

This page is based on a publication of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois, adapted for the web as a public service by CLONK. This web site is unofficial, and not associated in any way with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. CLONK is not responsible for any errors, either in the original publication or in this web version. The information presented here follows the original Forest Preserve District publication as closely as possible, with minor variations such as choice of typeface and added web links. CLONK cautions that items such as names of public servants and telephone numbers are subject to change! This web version was completed Spring, 2000.

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