Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

The “Little Red Schoolhouse” is part of the historic past of Palos Hills in which it is more or less centrally located. It was built in 1886 to replace a one-room log cabin school — the first school building of the area. The Little Red Schoolhouse was originally located a little north of where old 99th Street joins the Black oak Trail. Country lanes used by its former students still can be seen and enjoyed by hikers. In 1932 the school house was moved to Boy Scout Camp Kiwanis. The actual moving was done by a local resident with only one mule and log rollers. Classes continued in this building until 1948. In 1952 ft was moved to Its present site. In 1955 Its doors reopened as a school — unique and always interesting. For, in place of the three R’s, fascinating stories are told to children and grown-ups who visit here, stories about forest preserve plants and animals and the earth of which they live.

Before the written history of man, Indian hunters followed the receding glacier that once covered northern Illinois. They found the southern end of Lake Michigan swampy and teeming with game. Flint chips and an occasional arrow point can be found almost anywhere in this region. In 1804, there were two Indian villages near here — one at the intersection of Archer Ave. and 107th St. and the other about where the town of Palos Park is now located. Archer Ave. was a very important trail used by Indians and early settlers.

Fifty years ago Longjohn Slough was merely a wet prairie where farmers cut wild hay. Palos Hills farmers used to haul feed for Chicago’s horses — a round trip of about 10 hours! Old timers remember hunting rabbits in a hollow that is now Maple Lake, and one resident made a living just hunting and trapping. The land on which the schoolhouse now stands was a fruit orchard planted in 1906. Visitors in the spring still enjoy its pear, apple and plum blossoms.

Read more about the history of the Little Red Schoolhouse...

No Concession stands are available.

RESERVATIONS: All groups of 15 or more must arrange dates and make reservations by telephoning the facility they wish to visit. For general information, call the Resource Management Department at (708) 771-1330; 1 (800) 870-3666; TDD# (708) 771-1190. The Little Red School-house Nature Center: (708) 839-6897.

Location:

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Road
Willow Springs, IL 60480

West side of Willow Springs Rd. (104th Ave.), 1/2 mile south of 95th St., Willow Springs

(708) 839-6897

Nature Center Hours

March — October

Parking lot and trails:
Weekdays: Monday — Friday
Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Weekends and Holidays: 8:00 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.

Exhibit Buildings:
Weekdays: Monday — Thursday, CLOSED FRIDAYS
Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.
Weekends: 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

November — February

Parking lot and trails:
Weekdays: Every day
8:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.

Exhibit Buildings:
Weekdays: Sunday — Thursday, CLOSED FRIDAYS
9:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.

Nature Center Guidelines

Please:

• Schedule group visits in advance by calling the nature center. Scheduled group visits will include an introductory talk with a naturalist, including time for questions. Other programs may sometimes be arranged; call individual nature centers for details. Groups of 15 or must make advance reservations.
  
• Stay on trails - bicycles, horses, and motorized vehicles are not permitted; check at each center for availability of cross-country skiing.
  
• Picnic in designated picnic groves only; picnicing is not permitted on nature center grounds.
  
• Leave your pet at home; pets disturb wildlife and other visitors.
  
• Respect wildlife and other visitors by maintaining quiet in buildings and on trails.
  
  

Return to Nature Centers page...