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MacDougall Homestead

MacDougall House
The MacDougall barn built in 1874

Natural areas in Minnesota can be divided into three general communities; tallgrass prairies, deciduous forests and coniferous forests. MacDougall Homestead, located at the crossroads of these general community types, contains examples of each.

Within this 215-acre preserve are 18 vegetative types, including bluestem prairie, oak savanna, white pine woods, deciduous forest, alder-sedge-swamp and birch-tamarak woods. In all, 145 species of plants, 30 species of butterflies, 58 species of birds and 13 species of mammals have been observed at MacDougall Homestead.

Parts of the Homestead were farmed for more than 70 years before the Conservancy acquired it. The original house and barn still stand. The area is listed in the National Register of Historic Sites as the place where William Warren Whipple, an Ojibway Indian, wrote a history of his people.

Beyond the farmyard a steep slope descends to the lower terrace of the Mississippi River. The river once looped through a channel in this terrace at the base of the bluff before cutting its present straighter channel. A part of the terrace was farmed and is now old field. The woods on the north side of the old field have an excellent spring wildflower display.

A narrow strip of bluestem prairie flanks the drive into the Homestead. Beyond the prairie are abandoned fields where some prairie restoration has taken place. Behind the buildings are stands of white pine where approximately 50 pairs of reat blue herons have nested in recent years. Since the 1890s colonies of herons nested in the area, first in the woods across the river from the Homestead, then on the wooded island, and presently in the pines. 

Visitors are asked to follow the posted rules and stay out of the heron nesting area during the spring and summer months (April-July).

Directions:
MacDougall is located in Morrison County, about 10 miles south of Little Falls and 2 miles west of Royalton. To reach the preserve from Royalton, go west on County Highway 26 for approximately 1.6 miles.  Turn right onto County Road 23 and proceed about 1.1 miles. The driveway entering the preserve is on the left. Look for Nature Conservancy signs.

Nearest Services:
Royalton, Little Falls