St. James Farm
Forest Preserve
Open to the Public

For decades, St. James Farm in Warrenville was one family’s secluded retreat, a private estate occasionally opened to the public for special events.

Now, the gates of St. James Farm are open to the public.

DuPage County residents and visitors can see for themselves the architectural marks that one family, the McCormicks, left on this historic property.
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St. James Farm Forest Preserve Dedication Celebration

On Memorial Day weekend earlier this year, a special preview event welcomed an estimated 6,800 visitors to this historic property. District officials, staff and volunteers joined the public as Forest Preserve District President D. “Dewey” Pierotti Jr. officially dedicated the preserve. The president commended the efforts of the District commissioners and St. James Farm committee members who helped bring about the acquisition. He remarked that the parcel, over 600 acres of open space nestled within surburbia, is a valuable resource for DuPage citizens. He also paid tribute to Brooks McCormick, the former owner of the estate and a conservationist who worked to save not only St. James Farm but also other natural areas within the county.

Long before the event, departments from across the District worked to ready St. James Farm Forest Preserve for it debut, from trimming trees, mending fences and painting buildings to installing interpretive signs. During the weekend, naturalists and volunteers introduced visitors to the story of the farm, including its ties to the dairy industry and the international equestrian world. Even the horses from the District’s Danada Equestrian Center and Kline Creek Farm pitched in to lend character to the former equestrian showplace, pulling wagons for interpretive tours or occupying pastures and stable stalls.

Tree-lined walkways entice visitors to stroll through the farm, where interpretive signs provide educational and historical information.

Percheron horses Jack and Annie escort Mark Johnson and Keith McClow of Kline Creek Farm and their eager guests through a tour of DuPage County’s newest forest preserve.