Winfield Mounds Forest Preserve
Location
Located on the south side of Geneva Road, between Winfield and Indian Knoll Roads. Public parking is unavailable at this preserve.
Preserve History
Winfield Mounds Forest Preserve once was the home to various pre-historic Native Americans who dwelled along the West Branch of the DuPage River. They lived a simple hunter-gatherer lifestyle, made possible by the plentiful game and edible flora in the county at that time.
Middle and Late Woodland Period cultures lived in this part of DuPage County from about 2000 to 4000 years ago. They left behind many artifacts, including arrowheads and shards of pottery. In addition, one burial mound was found on this site. These groups were later displaced by the Illiniwek and Potowatomi cultures that were here when the first European settlers arrived in the 1830s.
The burial mounds for which the preserve is named are believed to be built in the Late Woodland Effigy Mound Tradition, which was common in northeastern Illinois from 600-1000 AD. Effigy Mound Peoples sometimes built mounds in the shape of animals important to the tribe, such as deer, eagles or fish. More commonly, however, the mounds were built in simple geometric shapes, like Winfield Mounds, which are three dome-shaped mounds set in a triangular pattern. These mounds are the only documented pre-historic burial site in DuPage County.
The domes lie west of the river, along the edge of a mature oak-hickory forest. They were first excavated by vandals, who dug up the mounds in the 1920s. Any artifacts that were taken were never recovered.
Later excavations were conducted by the University of Chicago, who in 1931 discovered a burial in Mound #1 consisting of bones from a cremation. This was the first work by professional archaeologists in DuPage County. The site was left undisturbed for 44 years, when a Wheaton College dig produced information on the history of the village. The dig yielded many artifacts, including a "dump" for broken or discarded pottery. Some of this pottery has been identified as Middle Woodland Havana Ceramics, which date to between 50 BC and 400 AD.
The Player Farm portion of Winfield Mounds was acquired by the District in 1970. The preserve, which has since grown to 360 acres, has remained undeveloped. No further excavation has been undertaken, as it is believed that nothing more remains in the mounds.
Outdoor Recreation
Fishing
Visitors to Winfield Mounds have access to fishing along the West Branch of the DuPage River. The river features bass, sunfish, carp and bluegill. At this time, however, Winfield Mounds has no parking facilities.
Accessibility
For special accessibility needs or concerns, please contact the District's ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 or TTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days in advance of your visit.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857