Spring 2000

Mature oaks and sugar maples share this small preserve with abundant spring wildflowers, and a small stream has created steep ravines

Will County, Illinois

O'Hara Woods in Romeoville is a hidden treasure! This majestic woodland has escaped significant encroachment by invasive buckthorn, honeysuckle, and garlic mustard. The mature forest of old oaks and sugar maples is truly a sight to behold. It is thought that this isolated prairie grove's moist soils, resulting from springs in the area, protected the forest from fire and explain the presence of mature fire-intolerant sugar maples.

Today, the lack of invasive brush has allowed young oaks, native woodland spring flowers, and understory prairie grasses to thrive. The site was once renowned for its diversity of spring flora. In 1981, when the woods were dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve, species listed for the area included broad-leaved puccoon, squirrel corn, blue-eyed mary, Canada violet, and bluebells. The seepage areas supported skunk cabbage and marsh marigold. Fire pink was found in the summer.

The preserve is approximately 80 acres, but is surrounded by wooded buffer zones on its borders. The area was annexed by Romeoville in 1965. It was previously owned by the Alexander family of Wheaton who desired that the land be protected from development. Prior to this, the property was known as Dynamite Woods because during the World War II era, Hercules Power Company stored dynamite in large concrete bunkers throughout the woods. These huge bunkers remain today. To a visitor unaware of the past of "Dynamite Woods," these curious concrete structures may seem quite perplexing in the midst of such natural beauty.

A small stream that has created steep ravines in some areas runs through the preserve. The entrance portion of the preserve has a pavilion, grills, picnic tables, and swings. Unauthorized recreational trails have damaged some parts of the preserve.

This infrequently visited site possesses an almost magical tranquillity. The only sounds heard are the eerie creaking of the old oaks. Although this woodland was once used to store explosives, it is now the quiet home to diverse wildlife. It is to be hoped that this diversity can be preserved with renewed interest and stewardship in the area.

— Amelia Taylor