Update 2020: The statue renovations have finally been completed! Hooray!
Update November 2019: Good news! The Eternal Indian is on track to have renovations completed by December 1st and will not be wrapped for the winter. Yay!
“The Eternal Indian” stands upon the east bluff of the Rock River in Lowden State Park. The 48-foot figure stands with folded arms, wrapped in a blanket. He peers from between two thick braids of hair as if to contemplate the river valley and hilly land that make up the topography of northwestern Illinois.
The statue was conceived by sculptor Lorado Taft around 1908. With the help of his student, John G. Prasuhn and engineer, Leland Summers, the statue was poured during winter of 1910-1911. This was one of the first, and remains one of the largest, monolithic sculptures made from a continuous pour of concrete. The statue was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
The statue sits on what was once the grounds of the Eagle’s Nest Art Colony founded by Taft. Today, the sculpture is part of Lowden State Park, named for former Illinois Governor, Frank Lowden, who was a large supporter of the effort. The Taft Campus of Northern Illinois University still sits adjacent to the park today.
While sometimes referred to as “Black Hawk,” the sculpture is not a true depiction of the Sauk leader and warrior, but rather blends Fox, Sauk, Sioux, and Mohawk cultures.
The statue needs restoration as some of the concrete has worn away. Repairs have been delayed due to lack of funding available to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources who owns the statue. As of the writing of this cache page, it is hoped that recent fundraising efforts will pay for repairs to be made beginning late summer 2018.
To gain credit for this Virtual Cache, please send me a message or email through my profile with answers to the following:
1. Crushed rock was added to the outer layer of concrete to give it a “lively cast and luster.” Describe the color and texture of the statue.
2. In what condition is the statue on your visit?
3. Briefly, tell me something interesting you read from the signage at the site.
4. (Optional) Feel free to post a photo of your visit to the statue or surrounding area.
“Indian statue.” Reference Number 09000871. National Register of Historic Places Archives. 2009. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/28893805
“Black Hawk Statue.” Wikipedia. Accessed August 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hawk_Statue
Geocache is placed on Department of Natural Resources managed property with permission. It is the visitors responsibility or orient themselves with policies and rules pertaining to this DNR managed site.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.