Eternal Indian, sometimes called the Black Hawk Statue, is a 48-foot monolith, located in Lowden State Park. Sculptured by Lorado Taft and dedicated in 1911, the concrete statue rises over the Rock River, on a 77-foot bluff overlooking the city of Oregon, IL. It is visible to drivers along IL Route 2.
In 2018, the nonprofit Black Hawk Art Development and Restoration Group was formed to jump-start the repair project. They raised about $270,000 in donations from the private sector. Illinois Department of Natural Resources was awarded a $350,000 grant for the restoration. Repairs began in 2019.
“I think that just shows how valuable this monument is to the people from this area, who grew up here and possibly still live here, or moved away….They really supported it,” said organization chairperson Jan Stilson. “It really was a grassroots effort.” An Oregon resident since her childhood, Stilson authored Art and Beauty in the Heartland, which details how the statue was built. “Those of us, who have seen the scaffolding go up and come down and seen the repairs on him, have really observed an interesting part of history.”
The Eternal Indian is made whole again. The next phase of the project involves rebuilding the plaza that surrounds the statue.
On Wednesday, December 4, 2019, Morrison Rotary Club had hosted Chairman of the Blackhawk Restoration Team Stilson and Historic Preservationist Kim Smeja, left, to share the restoration story. Their program focused on efforts to restore the statue, rebuilding chunks of missing concrete from the arms and robe.
Rotarian Mick Welding rated the presentation one of the best the club has experienced. “Kim was able to go up to view the restoration process first hand. She showed photos of the restoration efforts. Through the efforts of Illinois State Representative Tom Demmer, the group was able to secure a $350,000 grant to fund the restoration efforts. Another $250,000 was raised for future maintenance and upgrades to the plaza around the statue.
“Interesting enough, it is the second largest concrete statue in the world!”
Donations to continue to preserve the Eternal Indian site can be made at www.ilcf.org or sent to Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702.
