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| Amenities |
| Drinking Water |
| Public Parking |
| Toilets |
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General Offices |
This converted house is best known for its last private owner, David Armour, of the Armour Meat Packing Company. It now serves as the main office for nearly three dozen staff and the President of the Lake County Forest Preserves.
Hours
The General Offices are open for business and permit sales from Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm.
The General Offices are closed for the following holidays: January 1, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the following Friday, December 24 (open a.m. only) and December 25.
Recreation
From the General Offices parking area, visitors can access a mowed path that leads to the Des Plaines River Trail and to Independence Grove. Please note: the parking area is not open on weekends. |
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| Location |
| The General Offices are located in central Lake County in Libertyville. |
| The entrance and parking area are located on Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21) just north of Buckley Road (Route 137). |
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| History |
In the mid-1800s, Caleb Cowins purchased this former 1,500-acre farm from the federal government. A foundation remnant from the original farm is still present in the front yard. Early photos show a second home closer to Route 21. The original home was built around 1925. David Armour, founder of the Armour Meat Packing Company, purchased the property in 1964. In 1975, the Armour family donated the house and five acres of the property to the Forest Preserves. After several room additions and extensive renovations, the house now serves as the General Offices of the Lake County Forest Preserves. |
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| The Natural Scene |
| Once rolling farmland, the General Offices are now part of 1,100-acre Independence Grove Forest Preserve located along the Des Plaines River Greenway. In the early 1980s, several varieties of native trees were planted to create a nursery. Mature trees from the nursery are used for landscaping at other forest preserves. In the 1990s, an extensive wetland habitat restoration project was completed. As a result, rare birds and other wildlife have returned to the area. A variety of colorful, bird-friendly native woodland and prairie plants adorn the property around the building. |
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| Contact Information |
General Offices
2000 N Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville,
IL
60048
forestpreserves@lcfpd.org
847-367-6640 (phone)
847-367-6649 (fax)
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