Escape to the tranquil countryside of Southern Illinois and check out one of the largest sections of private land in the area completely surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest! As you approach the property the drive, it takes you down a winding country road, meandering through massive, tall white oak trees and over numerous rock-bottom creeks. When you pull onto the farm, you’ll notice the charming farmhouse sitting high up on the hill. Once a homestead for a large family, the home layout and outbuildings on this property were designed to allow you to have panoramic views of the farm. It is absolutely stunning, a must-see.

What makes this property very unique is the amount of water on the property. There are 10 ponds scattered throughout, with the largest located just below the home. These ponds are home to trophy largemouth bass and various other types of fish. The ponds would also serve well if you developed the property into a working cattle farm or established a horseback riding camp. There are also several large creeks wandering through the property as well, so water is abundant. By having access directly to the Shawnee National Forest, the possibilities are endless!

The property has a rolling topography throughout the open ground with areas of slightly steeper terrain within the timber. The timbered valleys funnel down to create multiple rock-bottom creeks. In talks with a local forester, there is a great stand of marketable, hardwood timber on the property. The last timber appraisal was done in 2004. According to the appraisal, the value in 2004 was $300,000 and it states that in 20 years the value and volume should double meaning there could be as much as $600,000 in marketable timber. There are 218.5 acres enrolled in the CRP program and generate $17,781 annually. A portion expires in 2021 and the remainder expires in 2022. The CRP acreage is scattered throughout the farm providing food and cover for wildlife. There are an additional 129 acres of fallow fields on the property that provides numerous opportunities for cattle, horses, row crop income, or even food plots and habitat improvements.

The main home is set on a high ridge with a view that overlooks a scenic valley with multiple ponds. It has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a functional kitchen with plenty of cabinet space, a dining area, living area, spacious den, an office and a large sunroom to soak in the views! A detached three-car garage sits next to the home with an additional covered porch and fire pit that overlooks the valley. Several large storage buildings and shops sit next to the home and provide ample storage for farm equipment. There is also a smaller farmhouse across the road that is rented to a tenant for $350/month.

Location, Location, Location. The saying couldn’t be more true when considering the location of this property. The farm is situated literally right in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest (over 280,000 acres of public land). For those who spend time outdoors, you could not be in a better place. There are dozens of outdoor reaction attractions for the hiker, hunter, explorer, horseback rider, fisher and sleeper (all jokes aside there are some really cool cabins). Some of the top attractions are Garden of the Gods Recreational area, Cave-In-Rock, Bell Smith Springs, River to River Trail and many more. There are lots of places to explore so plan some time to explore if you visit the local area.

There are approximately 2 miles of road frontage along Raum Road and County Road 3235 N with multiple entry points, which, in the future, would allow the opportunity to split the property into smaller parcels. The property adjoins the Shawnee National Forest on multiple sides and is in the heart of the equine trail riding community. This could create another business opportunity. If you’re looking for a rare opportunity to own 1,033 contiguous acres in the Shawnee National Forest area, give us a call today and schedule your private tour!