The Cache River area was used as a trading crossroads by Native Americans, and has several sites of archeological interest within its boundaries, including the Cypress Citadel site just south of Cypress, Illinois.

French voyageurs gave the river its modern name, calling it Cache, which means secret or hidden place.
American settlers arrived in the region in 1803.
They found the soil too wet for farming, and the swamps full of mosquitoes and venomous snakes; many early settlers died of malaria.
According to legend, from about, 1790s-1820, Colonel Plug, a river pirate, ran a gang of cutthroats and preyed on unsuspecting travelers, near the mouth of the Ohio River, stealing their goods and sinking or selling their watercraft down river.
 However, the Cache provided excellent hunting and fishing, and abundant timber.
Belknap, IL resident W. Marshall stated that the Cache River Basin was “good country for men and dogs, but powerful trying on women and oxen.”
 Between 1810 and 1890 timber harvesting became a major industry in the Cache basin, cypress wood being sought for its light, water-resistant properties.
The small towns on the edge of the swamp experienced a small boom during this period.
 Several sawmills and small factories sprung up to process timber for lumber, railroad ties, charcoal, and packing crates and boxes.
The Cache River area was used as a trading crossroads by Native Americans, and has several sites of archeological interest within its boundaries, including the Cypress Citadel site just south of Cypress, Illinois.
French voyageurs gave the river its modern name, calling it Cache, which means secret or hidden place. American settlers arrived in the region in 1803. They found the soil too wet for farming, and the swamps full of mosquitoes and venomous snakes; many early settlers died of malaria. According to legend, from about, 1790s-1820, Colonel Plug, a river pirate, ran a gang of cutthroats and preyed on unsuspecting travelers, near the mouth of the Ohio River, stealing their goods and sinking or selling their watercraft down river.  However, the Cache provided excellent hunting and fishing, and abundant timber. Belknap, IL resident W. Marshall stated that the Cache River Basin was “good country for men and dogs, but powerful trying on women and oxen.”  Between 1810 and 1890 timber harvesting became a major industry in the Cache basin, cypress wood being sought for its light, water-resistant properties. The small towns on the edge of the swamp experienced a small boom during this period.  Several sawmills and small factories sprung up to process timber for lumber, railroad ties, charcoal, and packing crates and boxes.
Cache River (Illinois)