Thatcher Woods: Grand Army of the Republic Memorial

Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve runs along side of Thatcher Ave. from North Ave. and Madison Street. The Grand Army of the Republic site is near Washington and Thatcher.

The story is that no improvements of any kind are allowed in the Preserve... NONE. Trails are only beaten paths. Fallen trees may not be removed. Consequently, animal life abounds! Deer are ubiquitous, racoon, opposum, coyote, and fox, while more shy, can be seen frequently.

The Des Plaines River runs through the Preserve and except for the intersection of Chicago and Thatcher and near where the river intersects Lake St., in the 20 years since I've lived here it's not spilled out into the residential areas. During flood stages the Village erects barriers at Chicago and Thatcher and Lake St. which have been successful in keeping the water at bay.

What I love most about Thatcher Woods is this: In what other major American city can you be 12 miles from downtown and still see wildlife?