It is shown on an 1837 vegetation plat map that was created by the United States General Land Office when Scott County was opened to settlement.

[2] The 36-acre (15 ha) preserve features rolling hills whose slopes are covered with loess, which is generally found in the eastern section of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain.

[3] It also contains spring flora such as bloodroot, Downy yellow violet, squirrel corn, columbine, and Starry False Solomon’s-seal.

Birds found in the preserve include brown creeper, Baltimore orioles, rose-breasted grosbeak, song sparrow, as well as various warblers, and woodpeckers.

The Iowa Conservation Commission bought the property in 1977, and it was set aside as a biological state preserve the following year.