South of the Prairie

STORY AND PHOTOS
BY LIZ PENSONEAU

Nestled in rolling hills south of Carlinville, amidst orchards and woodlands, exists an oasis known as Beaver Dam State Park. A popular fishing, picnicking and camping spot, its tiny, down-home style concession said to offer "the best breakfast in Macoupin County."

Like Weldon Springs and Dixon Springs state parks, Beaver Dam got its start as a private retreat. In the 1890s, a group of 20 influential Carlinville businessmen, who also happened to be avid fishermen, leased ground in the Macoupin Creek Valley to establish the Beaver Dam Lake Club. They replaced the original beaver-built log dam (for which the park is named) with an earthen dam, and raised the water level to form a larger, deeper lake. The lake and its surrounding grounds were used as a private membership fishing and recreational club.

Old records of daily catches are said to indicate that Beaver Dam was prolific with black and white bass, crappie and sunfish.

According to a Macoupin County historian, Jim Frank of Plainview, the property was inherited by Mrs. Sarah Rhodes, wife of Frank Rhodes. In 1901, the couple took over the property and constructed a 16-room hotel and resort, which opened in 1902. Lodging was $2 per night, and permission to fish was granted for $1 a day.

In 1902, Beaver Dam operated as a fishing resort complete with a hotel. Ice house and hotel transportation. (Old photos courtesy of Anita Paynter, Carlinville.)

Frank wrote in his history of Beaver Dam: "Outdoor camping was allowed, but Mrs. Rhodes would not permit any overnight women campers, a moral 'no, no' at that time.... Meals were served in the lodge, and Mrs. Rhodes would summon lodgers and fishermen to dinner by blowing a large fox horn that could be heard around the lake.... A skilled taxidermist, Mrs. Rhodes had on display in the lodge and guest rooms numerous local wild animals she had mounted. She was also a photographer and, for a fee, would take photographs of the guests and their catch of fish."

Although the hotel closed in the 1930s due to the advent of the automobile and a more mobile society, the Rhodes continued a fee fishing operation at the lake. By the late 1940s, the property was for sale. State Representative Bill Robinson of Carlinville was instrumental in the state's purchase of 425 acres for development as a state park. In 1955, an additional land purchase increased the park acreage to its present 744 acres.

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Beaver Dam Today

Located seven miles south of Carlinville, the park is situated in one of the most picturesque areas of Macoupin County and is a central Illinois hot spot for camping and fishing.

Anglers enjoy the convenience of being able to walk completely around the 59-acre lake and the fact that there is no shortage of shade trees. New retaining walls on the south side of the lake are dotted with benches and grills, making it seemingly possible to sit on a bench, catch a fish and grill it without moving more than a few feet. Some of the fishing spots are accessible people with disabilities, and more improvements are underway.

Among the fishing enthusiasts who take advantage of every opportunity to fish at Beaver Dam Charlie and Lela Pitts of Bethalto.

"It's a beautiful park and a nice comfortable place be," Charlie said "You can get around the lake

The marsh at Beaver Dam has an observation deck where visitors can view a variety of wildlife.

and fish off the bank. We really enjoy the scenery and having a place place to sit down."

Lela and Charlie have been fishing together for 46 years, and Charlie admits she is the better angler.

"Charlie likes to fish off the bottom," Leia said. "I like the worm and the bobber. I want to know if there is any action out there."

The lake is stocked with bluegill, sunfish, largemouth bass, crappie, trout and channel cat. The lake is normally open the third week in October for trout season, which continues until trout are stocked in the fall of the next year.
 
 

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The Best Breakfast

Early morning anglers can find Don and Pat Strubberg at their cozy concession building on the west side of the lake doing what they've done for the past 16 years preparing sausage gravy over biscuits with a side of two eggs can be had for only $3.50. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m weekends. The menu contains variety of items.

Also available st the concession are bost rentals, fishing licenses, supplies and full line of bait.

Camping

Many regular visitors frequent Beaver Dam's inviting camp-grounds, which are open year round. Most Camping spots are in wooded areas surrounded by large oak and hickory trees. Connecting trails make it convinient to walk from one of the 59 Class A caming spots to another. There is also tent camping youth-group camping facilities, however, youth groups should notify the site superintendent's office in advance by calling (217) 854-8020.

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Picnicking, Hiking and Other Activities

Although no swimming or wading is allowed at Beaver Dam, those who enjoy picnicking are in luck. With more than 200 picnic tables and four pavilions, the site is a wonderful destination for a family outing. There is ample playground equipment, and parking spaces are available for physically impaired individuals. A baseball field and an archery range donated by Whitetails Unlimited are added attractions.

Hiking, of course, is another option. There are approximately eight miles of trails limited to foot traffic (no bikes - no horses). Marsh Trail has an observation deck overlooking a vast marsh, a project of Ducks Unlimited. A large sign offers an explanation of the difference between a swamp and a marsh:

"Swamps are wetlands in which trees dominate the area. In comparison, marshes feature grasses, reeds and cattails in their wetland vegetation. Water depth in a Midwestern marsh is typically 6 to 36 inches.

"Muskrats, snakes, fish and a variety of insects make this their year-round home. Many ducks, shorebirds, and songbirds use this wetland as their warm-weather residence. Hawks, owls, deer, raccoon and fox all visit this marsh for food and water throughout most of the year."

Information you can use Address: Beaver Dam State Park, 14548 Beaver Dam Lane, Shipman, Ill. 62685. Telephone: (217) 854-8020 Concession: (217) 854-5156 Website: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/beaver.htm. Directions: The park is located 7 miles south of Carlinville on the Shipman Blacktop, which can be accessed from Illinois Route 108, 5 blocks west of the Carlinville City Square.

Hunting

Fall archery hunting is allowed for both deer and turkey (selected by lottery). Spring firearm turkey hunting also is by lottery. Archery hunting is allowed on 450 acres and firearm turkey hunting on 300 acres.

Many improvements have been made around the lakefront. More are underway.

Calling all Nature Lovers

Since Beaver Dam is comprised of both upland and bottomland woods, farmland, open fields, a lake and a marsh, it provides habitat for many species including will turkeys, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, deer, fox, raccoons, grey squirrels snakes, frogs and insects. Song birds include orioles, finches cardinals, titmice, nuthatches chickadees, peewees and cuckoos Bluebird boxes are scattered throughout the park, and pileated woodpeckers are commonly sighted. Found seasonally are waterfowl and shorebirds.

A visit to Beaver Dam wouldn't be complete without checking out its prairie restoration area and its nice array of prairie wildflowers.

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