When Richard Keating was a young boy, he went for a walk in the woods with a family friend, who was known for his special communion with nature. Keating expressed his fascination with arrowheads—he told the friend that he’d love to find one himself. The man bent down just a few steps ahead on the path and picked one up. Keating was amazed.
“He knew exactly the patterns you look for in nature,” Keating says, reflecting on his arrowhead-finding friend.
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The experience left a lasting imprint that inspired him to dedicate his life to the study of the natural world, become professor of structural botany at Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville, and author his most recent book, Pere Marquette State Park: An Unofficial Guide to History, Natural History, Trails and Drives.
Keating’s deep knowledge of Pere Marquette’s natural history, rock formations, and native plant life, transcends a dull science report. “The place is a treasure,” he says. He tries to visit as often as once a week. “You can find pretty much whatever you’re looking for, in terms of animal and plant life.”
Channeling the watchful attention of his childhood influence, Keating’s book is an essential guide to both life-long visitors to Pere Marquette and curious first-timers. Open your eyes to new rocks, birds, and bugs.
Take it with you on your next hike or camping trip to discover the wonders of this 8,000-acre landscape, just over an hour north of St. Louis City (13112 Visitor Center, Grafton, 618-786-3323). Keating’s book offers some intriguing discoveries to look out for while you’re there.
Historic Hickories
The Pere Marquette territory was first farmland. During the Depression era, farmers struggled to distribute their crop. They joyously welcomed the government’s purchase of 1,500 acres, which were later dedicated as park land in 1932. Without the farmers’ controlled fires, trees began to grow on the corn and wheat fields—marking reemergence of native ecological life. The park’s 57 species of trees and shrubs are living signposts, reminding visitors of nature’s powerful ability to regenerate scorched fields.
Pere Marquette’s bust
Check out the bronze sculpture of the Jesuit priest and explorer near the lodge entrance. The park was named after Marquette because of a petition campaign from the Knights of Columbus in 1932, which insisted that it should share the namesake of the explorer to first enter Illinois and who “risked his life that the joys of Christianity and gifts of civilization might be brought to the Indian.” But, as Keating points out, one person was left out of history: Louis Joliet, the expedition’s officially appointed leader.
Spring Flowers
“The spring wildflowers are like a slideshow,” says Keating. While some are dying out, others bloom. This time of year, watch for Mayapple patches—big umbrella-like blooms with dainty white flowers. Also look out for wild ginger in the moist, rocky regions of the park. You’ll know the species by the heart-shaped leaves that grow close to the ground and teem with beetles, the plant’s pollinators. Although this species isn’t used for culinary purposes like common ginger, its roots produce a similar scent. Flip to the back of the book for an extensive inventory of the park’s flowers, trees, and where to find them
Critters
Enjoy wildlife sightings, including possums, raccoons, turtles, turkeys, black buzzards, and the occasional deer. Yet some of the most interesting fauna rests on the forest floor, such as the Luna month, a delicate green-winged insect with a wingspan as wide as a human hand.
Goat Cliff Trail
A good introductory trail for first-timers, the Goat Cliff Trail (one among many) leads to the McAdams Peak shelter overlook for a beautiful view of the Illinois River. It also showcases some of the best views of the geological strata dating back to the Paleozoic era. The book details the geological history of the region, or what Keating calls “earth’s calendar of time.”
Eagles, songbirds, and more
Flip to Chapter 11 for an extensive bird watching checklist. This handy tool describes the seasons and habitats for viewing the park’s long list of bird species.
Pere Marquette State Park: An Unofficial Guide to History, Natural History, Trails and Drives is available through Missouri Botanical Garden Press and on Amazon, $19.95.
