Wildlife Prairie Park staff are looking for an antique rifle stolen from the Peoria County park.
According to a Facebook post, a 36 caliber, muzzle loading, percussion cap rifle was stolen from a display in the park’s Log Room. Staff say it was donated to the park in 1981 by Rusell W. Brooks.
The rifle belonged to Brooks’ grandfather. The family acquired it in 1835. The rifle made the long journey from Pennsylvania to Smithville, Illinois with the Brooks family in 1850.
“The artifact has a long history at the Park and was on display in the Log Room,” said Wildlife Prairie Park staff in the Facebook post. “We appreciate any help in recovering a piece of local history.”
There is no information available about when exactly the rifle was stolen from the park. There are also no details available about any suspect in the theft.
Officials ask anyone with information about the stolen rifle to contact their local police department.
