Black Hawk State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Hawk State Historic Site |
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Statue of Black Hawk, Black Hawk State Historic Site, by Welsh sculptor David Richards.
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 Black Hawk State Historic Site
Location in Illinois
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| Location | Rock Island, Illinois |
| Owner | Illinois Historic Preservation Division |
The Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island, Illinois, is a special place. It covers much of the old village of Saukenuk. This was once the main home for a group of Native Americans called the Sauk. The site also includes the John Hauberg Museum of Native American Life.
This state park sits on a bluff about 150 feet (46 meters) high. It overlooks the Rock River in western Illinois. The site is famous because it was the birthplace of the brave Sauk warrior Black Hawk. A disagreement over who owned this land led to the Black Hawk War.
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Life at Saukenuk Village
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The Sauk people called their main village "Saukenuk." It was a great spot for growing corn because the land drained well. The Sauk likely arrived here around 1750. This was after a series of conflicts known as the Fox Wars.
When explorer Jonathan Carver visited in 1766, he was very impressed. He said Saukenuk was "the largest and best built Indian town" he had ever seen. He even thought it looked "more like a civilized town."
The Sauk were skilled farmers in the warmer months. They grew plenty of corn, beans, and pumpkins. In winter, they moved to camps along the Mississippi River. There, they hunted animals for their furs. They sold these furs to traders, mostly from British Canada. In spring, they made maple sugar before returning to Saukenuk to plant crops.
The Sauk also formed strong ties with British Canada. They traded with them and received gifts. This made the Sauk expect help from the British military if needed.
A treaty was signed in 1804 in St. Louis. It was between Quashquame (a Sauk leader) and William Henry Harrison (from the U.S. Government). This treaty supposedly gave Illinois lands, including Saukenuk, to the U.S. The Sauk, however, did not believe this treaty was fair or valid. They continued to live in their village.
In 1817, Thomas Forsyth visited Saukenuk. He called it the most crowded Native American village he had ever seen. By 1826, about 4,800 Sauk lived in and around Saukenuk. Other visitors noted that people from different tribes also lived there. Saukenuk was the largest settlement in the new U.S. state of Illinois.
Here is how Black Hawk himself described his home:
Our village was situated on the north side of Rock river, at the foot of its rapids, and on the point of land between Rock river and the Mississippi. . . . The land around our village, uncultivated, was covered with blue-grass, which made excellent pasture for our horses. Several fine springs broke out of the bluff, near by, from which we were supplied with good water. The rapids of Rock river furnished us with an abundance of excellent fish, and the land, being good, never failed to produce good crops of corn, beans, pumpkins, and squashes. We always had plenty – our children never cried with hunger, nor our people were never in want. Here our village had stood for more than a hundred years.
The Black Hawk War
The War of 1812 ended with the British Canadians losing. More settlers then moved into Illinois and along the Mississippi River. This created problems for the Sauk village. Many Sauk leaders had signed treaties that sold the land under Saukenuk to the new American nation. Some parts of the tribe moved to new villages in Iowa and Missouri.
In 1832, the Black Hawk War began. The U.S. Army and the state of Illinois won this war. Many of Black Hawk's followers were killed. The area known as the Quad Cities was then fully opened for new settlers.
Even so, many white Americans admired Black Hawk's bravery. He fought to protect his people's homeland. Because of his courage, Black Hawk became a folk hero.
A statue of Black Hawk was put up at the site in 1892. Later, from 1934 to 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps improved the park.
What You'll See Today
Today, the southern part of 11th Street in Rock Island (HWY 67) covers where the Sauk village of Saukenuk once stood. The Black Hawk State Historic Site and the John Hauberg Museum of Native American Life are just east of this area.
Saukenuk had close ties with a Meskwaki village to the north. This area is now downtown Rock Island. Vandruff Island in the Rock River, south of the village, was also a place where villagers spent time. Today, the island is mostly a deep quarry. Some homes are on its west side. You can reach the historic site from Illinois Route 5, which connects to Interstate 74 in nearby Moline, Illinois.
John Hauberg Museum
The Hauberg Museum focuses on the culture of the Sauk and Mesquakie people. It displays many of their objects and artifacts.
The museum building was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is named after John Hauberg, who was a generous person from Rock Island. Inside, you can see full-size models of Sauk winter and summer homes. There are also dioramas showing Native life from 1750 to 1830. You'll find trade goods, jewelry, and household items. The museum also has some of Black Hawk's own belongings. These include his tomahawk, two of his clay tobacco pipes, and a bronze bust made from a plaster life mask.
Singing Bird Nature Center
The Singing Bird Nature Center is in the northwest part of the park. It offers educational programs. One section of the building is for studying local native birds. The nature center is named after Black Hawk's wife, Asshewaqua. Her name means "Singing Bird."
Images for kids
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Black Hawk led the Sauk and Fox Indians in many battles from the War of 1812 to the Black Hawk War of 1832. Painting by artist George Catlin.
