Charles Mound


Charles Mound is a gentle, high hill in northern Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States, near the small town of Scales Mound, and northeast of Galena. It is the highest natural point in the state; thus, it is considered a highpoint.

Geography

Charles Mound is the highest natural point in Illinois. The top of the hill is about from the Wisconsin border. It is within the Driftless Area, a region of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin that was not covered or ground down by the last continental glaciers. The hill itself is an erosional remnant, similar to that on which the original village site of Scales Mound was located. Shallow Elizabeth silt loam soil is on the summit and the surrounding area has deeper silty clay loam of the Lacrescent series.

Settlement

Elijah Charles, one of the region's first permanent settlers, arrived in 1828 and settled at the base of the mound and the hill assumed his name.

Access

Charles Mound is located on rolling farmland. The land owners, Jean and Wayne Wuebbels, allow public access on the first full weekends of the months of June, July, August, and September.