The Story
The Funk family settled this grove in 1824 - 102 years before Route 66. Isaac Funk amassed 25,000 acres and Abraham Lincoln served as the family attorney, helping bring the railroad through the region.
Native Americans had tapped these maple trees long before the Funks arrived. Commercial sirup production began in 1891 with Arthur Funk. When Route 66 came through, business boomed.
They spell it 'sirup' with an 'i' to distinguish pure maple sap from industrial 'syrup.' Seven generations later, they still sell about 2,000 gallons annually - usually sold out by August.
Surprise Facts
→ Abraham Lincoln was the Funk family's attorney
→ The Funk family also helped develop hybrid corn and brought soybean crushing to the Midwest
→ 'Sirup' spelling distinguishes pure maple from corn-based syrup
→ Native Americans tapped these same trees before European settlement
Visit Information
✓ Open to Visit
Address: 5257 Old Route 66, Shirley, IL 61772
Hours: Seasonal - tapping season is February-March
Tip: Sirup often sells out by August - come early