Mason County

Mason County and its seat, Havana, have a longstanding history due to locations right along the Illinois River. In the 1600s, French explorers Joliet and Marquette set up camp near present-day Havana during their early explorations. The area's past is highly connected to Native American Indian communities; Havana is the home of the Rockwell Mounds, the second largest Native American burial grounds dating back to about 200 A.D. Rockwell Mounds cover about two acres and stand 14 feet high. Later, in the days of Chicago gangster Al Capone, Havana was referred to as "Little Reno" because of the floating casinos that were established on the Illinois River. Today, Mason County is known for wildlife and recreational sporting, including fishing and waterfowl hunting. The area is home to a number of wetlands and the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, a 4,500-acre habitat for migrating waterfowl. 

Visit http://www.masoncountyil.org/ for more
information on Mason County.

Points of Interest In Mason County

CHAUTAUQUA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

8.5 miles North of Havana on the Manito Blacktop. Refuge office open 8:00am-4:30pm M-F. The nature trail is open seven days a week. As many as 80 bald eagles have been sighted on the refuge between October and March; this is a bird-watcher's paradise. Hike the wheelchair accessible nature trail, watch waterfowl, enjoy the flora and fauna, and fish in Lake Chautauqua. Call 309-535-2290. ADMISSION FREE.

 

DICKSON MOUNDS MUSEUM

6 miles Northwest of Havana on 78/97. Open 8:30am-5:00pm seven days a week. Dickson Mounds, a branch of the Illinois State Museum, is one of the major on-site archaeological museums in the country. The museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of the American Indian in an awe-inspiring journey through 12,000 years of human experience in the Illinois River Valley. For more information call 309-547-3721. ADMISSION FREE.

JAKE WOLF MEMORIAL FISH HATCHERY

16 miles North of Havana near Manito. Open 8:30am-3:30pm seven days a week. Visit and tour the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery, a must for the entire family. See their excellent collection of old and exotic lures, their displays featuring the history of the area's waterways, and take a tour of the facility that concludes with a viewing tank of some of the biggest fish you have ever seen! Walk in or scheduled tours, but it is easier for the folks at the hatchery if you call ahead. Call 309-968-7531. ADMISSION FREE. (The hatchery is located in the 7,500 acre Sand Ridge State Forest, the largest State Forest in Illinois. The Forest is an excellent area for picnicking, camping, hiking, snowmobiling, and hunting. For more information call 309-597-2212.)

 

EMIQUON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

2 miles West of Havana on highways 78/97.  This still-developing refuge system features the Frank Bellrose nature trail high lighting Spoon River plant and wildlife communities. For more info, please call (309) 535-2290.