The area, now known as Sugar Grove Township, gradually recovered from the ice age, and pine forests grew; next, oak and hickory trees started to replace the pine. The seeds of tall prairie grass and wildflowers blew northward from warmer southern and western climates, creating great stretches of blooming prairies and growing forests.
Between 3.75 million years ago and around 10,00 years ago, the American mastodon and mammoth roamed throughout Illinois. The Paleoindians hunted them using Clovis spear points, and legends were passed down about the immense creatures pushing through the forest and toppling trees. Today, over 80 archaeological sites in Illinois have produced mastodon bones, and 60 sites have mammoth bones.
Many other animals migrated northward and began filling our forests and prairies, including buffalo (bison) and deer, bears, and panthers, and fish of many species populated the creeks, streams, and lakes. Illinois and Sugar Grove Township were abundant with life. If you want to learn more about the Ice Age Midwest, check out iceage.museum.state.il.us Mastodon at Wheaton College – J.L. Panagopoulos