Briscoe Mounds
- Archaeology
- In Channahon, Illinois
- 5.6 mi from Route 66
- National Register of Historic Places
Briscoe Mounds, in Channahon, IL, about 6 miles off the old road, is the biggest mound site anywhere in northern Illinois. Its two earthen mounds were raised sometime from 1200 to 1500 AD, during the Mississippian period, on the north bank of the Des Plaines River. Listed on the National Register in 1978, the site gives Route 66 travelers a glimpse of the people who lived along these rivers centuries before any road was built.
What is Briscoe Mounds?
The site, logged in the state's archaeological survey as Wi-25, holds two mounds set along the northern bank of the Des Plaines River. It is protected land and a listed archaeological site, not a developed park.
The name comes from the Briscoe family, the landowners who later sold the property to the state. Today the Illinois State Museum owns the mounds, and it intends to build a visitor center here one day.
History of Briscoe Mounds
People of the Mississippian period built the mounds sometime from 1200 to 1500 AD. Archaeologists first surveyed them in 1938, and a second survey in 1940 turned up nine distinctive pieces of pottery. An excavation in 1964 uncovered the remains of sixteen people. National Register listing followed in 1978.
Visiting Briscoe Mounds: tips
There is no visitor center yet, so plan a short, respectful look. People are buried here: stay off the mounds, do not dig, and leave everything in place.
The mounds pair well with nearby outdoor stops. Channahon State Park is only about 0.5 miles away, and the Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area about 1.9 miles. The ghost town of Millsdale lies about 3.1 miles away. Together they make a pleasant half-day of river country south of Joliet, a calm contrast to the busier town stops along the route. Bring water and wear good walking shoes, since no facilities are listed at the mounds themselves.
Practical info
- Address
- 25000-25094 W Front St, Channahon, IL 60410
- Hours
- Open 24 h
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Briscoe Mounds
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
Full mapBriscoe Mounds with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.
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Stops near Briscoe Mounds
All of Illinois
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1.9 mi from Briscoe Mounds
3.1 mi from Briscoe Mounds
3.4 mi from Briscoe Mounds
5.4 mi from Briscoe Mounds
6.3 mi from Briscoe Mounds
Questions about Briscoe Mounds
How old are the Briscoe Mounds?
They were raised sometime from 1200 to 1500 AD, during the Mississippian period.
Can you visit the Briscoe Mounds?
The Illinois State Museum owns the site and plans a visitor center. For now, keep any visit brief and respectful and stay off the mounds.
Own or run Briscoe Mounds? Send us a photo or a correction.