Early Animal Life

Beaver

Beavers were once widespread along the Chicago River, but were almost completely wiped out statewide by the late 1880s. Known by early Europeans as “black gold,” the beaver’s downfall was its excellent coat, which was used to make quality felt for hats, a fashion that lasted 300 years. Today, beaver populations are recovering and property owners near the river wrap their trees with wire to prevent beavers gnawing their trees.

Black Bear

Black bears were once found along the Chicago River and throughout the region. One of the last bear hunts took place in Chicago in 1833. Judge John Jean Caton remembered, “The town was thrown into a great commotion by a report that someone had seen a bear [near Madison and Randolph streets]…however, he was soon brought to grief and cut up into small pieces that all in the town who were fond of bear meat might have a taste.”

Eastern Massasaugua

Also know as the swamp rattlesnake, the Eastern Massasaugua was once the region’s most common venomous snake. However, their numbers dwindled due to mass killings and habitat loss. In the late 1820s, a Massasaugua bit Frances Barker, who lived near Chicago. “From that time on we waged wars on snakes. It seems wonderful that we killed them…by putting a piece of timber, or even a foot upon their heads, and holding them down until someone could come and sever or bruise their bodies.”