The Des Plaines River as it flows east of Libertyville. The French explorers Marquette and Joliet were the first known white men to have used the river in 1673; at that time they simply called the Des Plaines the "river of portage." Later, a cartographer labeled the river "Plein," the French word for "high water," derived from the habit of the Des Plaines to overflow its banks. The Independent Register, in its Sesquicentennial Section on June 26, 1986, gives a lovely description of the river around Libertyville at the beginning of the twentieth century: "A large virgin forest on the east side of the Des Plaines River existed as late as 1925 and was an awe-inspiring sight for city folk traveling to Libertyville from Chicago. The original grove, along with property on the west side of the river, was purchased by C. C. Copeland. After his death, the land on the west side was subdivided into what is now Copeland Manor. Below is a newspaper account of the primeval forest as described in the now-defunct Chicago Evening Post. On the east bank of the Des Plaines River, adjoining the village of Libertyville, is a large virgin forest still in its primeval condition. Here is where nature's handiwork has been, with few exceptions, undisturbed, and here is where anyone who delights in stately trees, winding rivers, beautiful natural terraces and singing birds, may find real pleasure. The forest forms a beautiful and most artistic background for a village whose streets and homes are 70 feet above the level of Lake Michigan. It was owned for many years by C. C. Copeland, one of the most interesting characters who lived in Illinois."
