Woodthrush Woods State Preserve

Woodthrush Woods State Preserve is a 25-acre forest. It is located seven miles east of Fairfield in Jefferson County. 

About the Land

The hilly, wooded area was originally owned by naturalist Hiram Heaton. He loved nature, studied birds for his own enjoyment, and led others in the study and appreciation of birds. 

In 1922, upon his death, the property was willed to the town of Fairfield as a park for nature study, and in turn deeded to the Hiram Heaton Park Association. In 1928, it was given to the State Board of Conservation to be used as a state forest preserve. 

In 1962, the preserve was deeded back to Fairfield and was used for conservation study by the school district. In 1975, the woodland was dedicated as a biological state preserve. 

Directions

1. From the intersection of Highway 34 and Highway 1 in Fairfield, take Highway 34 east for 8 miles to County Road W40 (Tamarack Avenue). 
2. Turn south (right) and go 1 mile to 255th Street, which curves to the east. 
3. Park on the shoulder of 255th Street slightly past its intersection with Teak Avenue. The preserve is on the north (left) side of the road.

Plants

The preserve is a mixture of upland and bottomland forest. Trees occupying the canopy include white oak, red oak, shagbark hickory, walnut, hackberry, and associated shrubs. 

In April, blooms include:

• Spring beauty
• Dutchman’s breeches
• Prairie trillium
• Wild geranium
• Blue cohosh
• White trout-lily
• Blue phlox
• Jacob’s ladder
• Common blue 
• Downy yellow violets

Anise root can be found blooming later in the spring among the fronds of creeping fragile fern, maidenhair fern, sensitive fern, and grape fern. 

Visitor Information

Another natural area in the vicinity is Lamson Woods State Preserve.