Little-known fact: At one time, wild rice grew around the Chicago River.
Chances are that any rice grown from that area these days would make it to the plates of only the bravest diners (me not being one of them), but it does reveal a little bit about what earlier life was like in northern Illinois.
Exploring the area's past is the basis of a new presentation titled "Digging Up the Past," to be held next week at the Elgin Public Museum.
Leading the discussion will be local archeologist Dr. M. Catherine Bird of Marengo-based Midwest Archaeological Research Services Inc.
Bird said the program will focus mainly on the 1823 expedition of explorer Stephen Long, who came through Elgin on his way toward what later became known as the Great Plains.
"They (the expedition) went from Philadelphia through Fort Wayne (Indiana) and then stopped at Fort Dearborn, where Chicago is now," she said. "They walked from Fort Dearborn to Fort Crawford, which is now Prairie du Chien, Wis."
Bird said the presentation's purpose will be to enlighten the public about some of the natural historical and archaeological features the area has to offer.
One example was the discovery of an archeological site in Sleepy Hollow during the 1980s. The artifacts that were recovered dated as far back as 1200 to 1400 A.D. Mounds found at the site were later determined to be "earth lodges" — dome-like, semi-subterranean structures covered by earth that were used widely among Native American tribes of the Great Plains and eastern United States.
Bird said the discoveries that were unearthed may surprise many as to how large of a presence Native Americans had in the area — a premise that has been a part of the museum's ongoing Native American exhibit featuring the Kickapoo Indians of central Illinois.
"There were a number of Native American sites throughout the area, both Paleolithic (prehistoric) and (during the) common era," museum Director Peggie Stromberg said.
"Digging up the Past" is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the museum, 225 Grand Blvd. Admission to the event is $5 for the public and $2 for museum members. More information is available at 847-741-6655.