•September 4, 2024•

How Raccoons Helped Save Illinois from Canada (continued)

by Janet Roney

If you have not kept up, let’s review the story behind this startling title.  First, gazillions of raccoons live in Illinois, but not many beaver. Beaver fur was in great demand in Europe in the 1600s because French Huguenot hatters had learned how to make waterproof felt out of beaver fur that was used to make waterproof hats for the French army. The health of the French army improved overall. Everyone soon wanted felt hats, and the supply of beaver in Europe dried up. The French and English then came to the Americas for more beaver fur.  

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