Postcard from the park         

Jubilee College State Historic Site

Note: Each week, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold sends a postcard profile of a different Illinois state park, natural area or trail. This week, the director is writing about Jubilee College State Historic Site, located in central Illinois.

[JUNE 18, 2005]  BRIMFIELD -- Greetings from Jubilee College State Historic Site,

Imagine you are a little boy who loves animals, including your cat and including your pony. One day, you see your cat run into the street. You run after it. The cat is saved, but a car strikes you. This is just what happened a year ago to Cruz. He is still a little boy who loves his cat and loves his pony. He's just the same, except he can no longer walk.

Here at Jubilee College, Cruz's fate was a problem with a solution. Equestrian trails are popular here, and so, a ramp was built so that any person who has trouble climbing on the back of a horse or pony can get a little boost. On June 8, with the help of a handicapped-accessible ramp, Cruz was able to climb once again on the back of his pony. In a few short steps astride a horse, it was as if a car had never come between Cruz and his pony. He was riding again and smiling as if no time at all had passed.

It's worth noting that this ramp can be used by anyone who finds climbing up on a horse more challenging than staying on. Sometimes, as the joints start to complain, an easier way up on a horse is the perfect start to a day.

For those of you who haven't heard of this park before, Jubilee College State Park stretches over 3,200 acres in Peoria County between the towns of Kickapoo and Brimfield. Named Jubilee College by its founder, Episcopal Bishop Philander Chase in 1839, in expression of his thankfulness and joy, the college was one of the earliest educational enterprises in Illinois.

Through a series of misfortunes climaxed by the Bishop's death, the college closed in 1862. In 1933 the college and grounds, consisting of 93 acres, were presented to the state of Illinois. Since that time the Department of Natural Resources increased the acreage to 3,200. The college building, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, has been restored to its original appearance and is under the management of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

The terrain of this historic site makes it special. Jubilee is situated in the Illinoisan drift-plain. It includes valleys and ridges. The highest ridge climbs 600 feet. Rockhounds may enjoy the shale, sandstone, lime and even coal to be seen in this park. Winding through the park is Jubilee Creek, which is about 40 feet across at its widest.

Wildlife abounds here as well. There are about 160 species of birds. Wild turkeys live here, dozens of them. Despite the comeback of the turkey in Illinois, I am still always pleased when I come upon one walking in the wild.

I've written before of the miracles of state park: the regeneration of the prairie after fire, and splendor of springtime flowers, the awesome sight of trees a thousand years old and pelicans dropping by Illinois en route to tropical climates. But sometimes, the greatest wonders of Illinois state park can be found in the faces of those who enjoy them. So it is here in this park, where among picnickers and equestrians, one little boy spends every Wednesday smiling upon the back of his pony.

All the best,
Joel Brunsvold

If you go:

Jubilee College State Park can be reached from Interstate 74.

• Eastbound: Take Brimfield Exit 75 and turn left to U.S. Route 150. Then turn right on U.S. Route 150 and go four miles to park entrance on left.
• Westbound: Take Kickapoo-Edwards Exit 82 and go to the right 1.5 miles to Kickapoo. Then turn left onto U.S. Route 150 and go four miles to park entrance on right.

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release]