THE LEGEND OF STARVED ROCK

Starved Rock obtained its name from a legendary incident that occurred in the 1760s when a small village of 500 Illinois Indians still lived in this area.  During this time the dominant tribe was the Ottawa Indians who controlled the Potawatomi and Fox Indians and lived up river from here.

The chief of the Ottawa Indians, Pontiac, went to the southern part of the state to negotiate some trade agreements with the French and was murdered by an Illinois Indian from this area.  When word got back to the Potawatomi and Fox, they were out to avenge their leader’s death.  They paddled down river and attacked the Illinois’ village by the great rock.  A fierce battle went on for several days.  During the battle, the Illinois tribe was reduced by half.  The Potawatomi and Fox went back to regroup and the Illinois knew that if they were to survive, they would have to abandon their village.  They decided to seek refuge on top of the great rock.

When the Potawatomi and Fox returned, they surrounded the base of the rock.  They periodically went to the top of Devil’s Nose and showered the Illinois with arrows.   As the Illinois grew more desperate, they tried to sneak off the rock at night, but all that attempted it were killed.  Eventually, all of the Illinois Indians on top of the rock starved, and ever since, the site has been called “Starved Rock”.

There are no written records to prove this event actually happened.  The story came down through the years from Indian storytellers.  However, archeological excavations have revealed numerous artifacts including skeletons and weapons used over 1,000 years ago.

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The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 provides a “by brides, for brides” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources. From New York florists and Seattle bridal salons to Washington, D.C., makeup artists, engaged couples will find detailed feedback on local wedding businesses reviewed by thousands of newlyweds.

Starved Rock Lodge was the venue for 124 weddings in 2011. The park has two outdoor ceremony sites. Receptions and indoor weddings are in the historic stone-and-log Great Hall in the center of the Lodge. The Lodge recently added a Facebook page just for weddings and has set the date for the next Romance in the Park Bridal Expo, Sunday, Jan. 6. Information on Weddings at the Rock is available at www.starvedrocklodge.com.

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“I’m a bird watcher. I was up there watching birds,” she said, pointing to the state park visitor center. “But I also came down to see the eagle. I can’t wait to go see the pelicans. I drove all the way down here just to see them.”
The eagle release was part of Starved Rock’s new weekend event, Pelican Days. Chris and Cressy Powers and their son Nate of Chicago came to hike and got a bonus.

“We came down to see the park and we were surprised by the release,” Chris Powers said. “We never came down here before.”
Kim and Jerry Pohl of Mendota joined the crowd at the floodwall to see the eagle freed.
“When we heard about this two weeks ago we couldn’t wait,” Kim Pohl said. “This is a big deal.”
Karen and Steven Herdklotz and their associates from the rehab center delivered the bird by boat to the island. They carried Peace in a crate. They waved to the crowd, opened the crate and the eagle flew to a nearby tree, perched for several minutes and flew to another nearby tall tree on the island.

“Ooh, that’s so cool,” Pam Pohl said.

Jerry Pohl said the bird is rediscovering a new world.
“I don’t know why anybody would want to shoot something like that,” he said.

The bird was found with a broken wing and captured Oct. 30 near Hennepin by state conservation officer Phil Wire. It was nursed by Robert Harms of Countryside Animal Clinic in Streator and Hoo Haven. The bird still has eight pellets in one wing.
Wienke shot photos of the bird and enjoyed it through her binoculars.

“It was the most awesome thing to see,” she said. “She was just gorgeous and beautiful.”
Hoo Haven brought other rehabilitated birds that cannot be released because of injuries. Marshmallow, a white pelican with only 1½ wings, made an appearance at Starved Rock Lodge.

Eagle Releasing Video

Who shot peace?  Reward offered
A reward of up to $2,500 is offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for shooting the eagle.

Those with information can call the Department of Natural Resources hotline at (877) 236-7529, state police at (815) 224-1171 or Bureau-Putnam County Crime Stoppers at (815) 925-7412.

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Friday, March 9, through Sunday, March 11, Starved Rock Lodge near Utica will sponsor Owl Prowl, a weekend dedicated to the other kind of big bird that lives in and around the state park.

“The Eagle Watch Weekend goes over very well,” Edna Daugherty, Lodge activities director, said about the annual January fest that draws people to La Salle County. “We have owls around here, too, and people are fascinated by them.”

Steve Bailey, an ornithologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, will lead the 6 p.m. programs, followed by owl walks from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 10. During the program, he will have some owl specimens, feathers and pellets and will try to call in different owls.

Those programs are sold out, but “Hoo” Haven Wildlife and Education Center of Durand will present live owl programs at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Lodge. Admission will be $5 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 10 and younger.

The Lodge will offer a history trolley ride combined with a hot lunch in the dining room Saturday and for Sunday brunch. The trolley also will stop at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center for a special presentation on owls.

Tours will begin with lunch at 11 a.m.; the trolley will board at noon and be back at the Lodge at 2:30 p.m. On Saturday, the cost will be $25 for adults; Sunday, adults will be charged $30. Children 10 and younger will be charged $5 less both days. Call 800-868-7625 ext. 386 for reservations.

“We’re looking forward to having a great weekend,” Daugherty said. If everything goes well, we’ll be putting it on the schedule for next year.”

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