Olney, Illinois: Home of the White Squirrels

Olney's laws and police force protect its albino squirrel population as a civic treasure. See them in the park -- or all over town, really.

A stop on Roadside America's 7-day Los Angeles to New York Hypertour. White Squirrel Capital of the World.

In search of the elusive white squirrel!

"White Squirrel Capital" Olney, Illinois is celebrating the historic moment when a pair of albino squirrels were captured by farmers and sold to a local tavern 100 years ago. The squirrels are said to be the Adam and Eve of Olney's current population, which numbers about 200, according to the last squirrel census.

If anyone doubts the existence of white squirrels in Olney, Illinois, they have but to rattle a wrapper such as a potato chip bag, etc, and they will see more of the squirrels that they would ever want to. They got so close to me that I thought the next move they would make is to run up my pant leg. They just kept coming closer and closer to the point that one was just a few inches from my foot. We didn't even have food to give them, they just came running at us thinking we might. They were really neat, but they freaked us out when they got so close. The community also has a pair of them in a cage so that all who visit can at least see one or two. I was told by an Olney resident that the squirrels are kept in the cage only a short time and then another is captured and given a turn in the cage.