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Buffalo Rock State Park & Effigy Tumuli

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Buffalo Rock State Park, Illinois, USA
LocationLaSalle County, Illinois, USA
Nearest cityOttawa, Illinois
Area298 acres (121 ha)
EstablishedNovember 15, 1928
Governing bodyIllinois Department of Natural Resources

Buffalo Rock State Park & Effigy Tumuli is an Illinois state park on 298 acres (121 ha) in LaSalle County, Illinois, USA. The park is located in LaSalle County next to Starved Rock State Park, was once used as a "blind canyon" for Indians to capture buffalo. Effigy Tumuli consists of five earth art animal sculptures native to the Illinois River was constructed as a tribute to Native American tradition. This 298 acre park is located 3 miles west of Ottawa, Illinois, and approximately 85 miles southwest of Chicago, Illinois. Now, this sandstone bluff carved by the Illinois River during the Pleistocene epoch, serves as a State Park for local residents and tourists. Effigy Tumuli consists of five earth art animal sculptures native to the Illinois River was constructed as a tribute to Native American tradition.

History

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The area of Buffalo Rock was the home of the Illinois Indians when Louis Jolliet, the French explorer, and the Jesuit missionary priest Father Jacques Marquette made their trip up the Illinois River in 1673. Later, the Illinois Tribe was virtually annihilated in protracted warfare with the aggressive Iroquois.[1]

Buffalo Rock State Park served as an early military, trading, and missionary post for the French. During the winter of 1882-1883, LaSalle and Tonty built Fort St. Louis on Starved Rock, and gathered 4,000 Indian warriors at Buffalo Rock to form a confederation against the Iroquois. The Miami, one of the tribes in the confederation, built their own fort on Buffalo Rock.[1]

During the State Park's later years, it was used as a religious sect as a place for holding camp meetings, and was recently used for a tuberculosis sanatorium. In 1912, the Crane Company of Chicago purchased Buffalo Rock and maintained a sanatorium for employees and a summer vacation home for employees and family members. The company moved to a recreational park and donated the land in 1927 for Buffalo Rock to become a state park. On November 15, 1928, the deed of the property was turned over to the State of Illinois with provisions that it would become a permanent state park. As a reward for his loyal services, Robert Barnett, the 72 year old caretaker, he was retained to the land for the remainder of his life.

An American Bison Grazing

Wildlife

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Many animals can be seen and heard within the park, but two American Bison reside here. They have a pen and grazing field which is located across from the baseball diamond and can be seen daily.

Trails

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The state park currently has two trails: the River Bluff Trail, and the Woodland Trail. The River Bluff Trail runs above the Illinois River and has two observation decks that provide view of the river. The Woodland Trail runs deeper in the park and provides an opportunity for close-up of trees, plants and wildlife within the park.

Camping

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There are three primitive camping sites between Buffalo Rock and Utica, Illinois. Each campsite provides a fire rings, but no water or restroom facilities. The sites are on accessible through the use of bikes or walking, and no vehicles are allowed[1]. One of the three camping sites is dedicated to youth campers, where a shelter with a fireplace can be found. Prior to camping, permits must be obtained from Buffalo Rock State Park at the information center.

Effigy Tumuli

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The Effigy Tumuli earthwork consists of five animal sculptures as tribute to ancient Native American tradition, mound building. The five animals that are depicted are a 685 foot long water strider, a 650 foot long turtle, a 770 foot long catfish, a 340 foot long frog, and a 2,070 long snake which is measured from head to toe[2]. The water strider, catfish, and frog are built from mounds of dirt, grass, shrubbery, and exposed earth, while the turtle and snake use the geographic landscape to their advantage. The turtle's shell is formed as a mound with rock that dips into the river. The snake curves and dips down into the river 90 feet down [3]. Effigy Tumuli is one of the largest artworks in the country and must be seen from an aerial view in order to view the massive artworks. The site was owned by Ottawa Silica Company, whom had an interest in art, and commissioned the sculptures to Michael Heizer in 1983 who used heavy equipment to finish the project 2 years later in 1985[4]. Visitors can walk a trail through the site (which is 1.5 miles long), and are invited to climb upon the artworks and read interpretive signs and maps to help visualize what they are looking at.

A Picnic Shelter With a Stone Fireplace

Picnicking

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Buffalo Rock State Park has two shelters dedicated for picnickers, or family and friends outings. Both shelters offer grills, picnic tables, water fountains available for drink, and restrooms located nearby. The larger of the two shelters comes complete with a stone fireplace and may be reserved, while the smaller shelter has a first come first serve basis. A playground is located near the larger shelter and a baseball diamond is located in the center of the park.

Rules/Regulations

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  • While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts.[1]
  • At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors. Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.[1]
  • Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call ahead to the park office before you make your trip.[1]
  • For more information on tourism in Illinois, contact the "Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs' Bureau of Tourism".[1]

Directions

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Buffalo Rock State Park". Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  2. ^ "Effigy Tumuli". The Center for Land Use Interpretation. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  3. ^ "A Website About Michael Heizer". double negative. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  4. ^ "The Water Strider of Effigy Tumuli". Waymarking. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  5. ^ a b c "Buffalo Rock State Park". Illinois River Country Nature Trail. Retrieved 2009-03-30.

References

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