Buffalo Rock State Park & Effigy Tumuli
Encyclopedia
Buffalo Rock State Park & Effigy Tumuli is an Illinois state park on 298 acres (120.6 ha) in LaSalle County, Illinois
, USA. The park is located in LaSalle County next to Starved Rock State Park
, and 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 acres (1.2 km²) park is located 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Ottawa, Illinois
, and approximately 85 miles (136.8 km) 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.
, 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
.
Buffalo Rock State Park served as an early military, trading, and missionary post for the French. During the winter of 1682-1683, 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.
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.
reside here. They have a pen and grazing field which is located across from the baseball diamond and can be seen daily.
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.
tradition, mound building. The five animals that are depicted are a 685 feet (208.8 m) water strider
, a 650 feet (198.1 m) turtle
, a 770 feet (234.7 m) catfish
, a 340 feet (103.6 m) frog
, and a 2070 feet (630.9 m) snake
which is measured from head to toe. 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 (27.4 m) down
. 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. Visitors can walk a trail through the site (which is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long), and are invited to climb upon the artworks and read interpretive signs and maps to help visualize what they are looking at. As of Summer 2010, visitors can no longer visit the Effigy Tumuli. The trails leading to the depictions are closed off to protect visitors from stray gunfire from a nearby gun range, which has wounded several hikers .
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, USA. The park is located in LaSalle County next to Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock State Park is a state park in Illinois, characterized by the many canyons within its 2360 acres. Located just southwest of the village of North Utica, in Deer Park Township, LaSalle County, Illinois, along the south bank of the Illinois River, the park hosts over two million visitors...
, and was once used as a "blind canyon" for Indians to capture buffalo
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
. Effigy Tumuli consists of five earth art animal sculptures native to the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
was constructed as a tribute to Native American tradition. This 298 acres (1.2 km²) park is located 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Ottawa, Illinois
Ottawa, Illinois
Ottawa is a city located at the confluence of the Illinois River and Fox River in LaSalle County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 18,786...
, and approximately 85 miles (136.8 km) southwest of Chicago, Illinois. Now, this sandstone bluff carved by the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
during the Pleistocene epoch, serves as a State Park for local residents and tourists.
History
The area of Buffalo Rock was the home of the Illinois Indians when Louis JollietLouis Jolliet
Louis Jolliet , also known as Louis Joliet, was a French Canadian explorer known for his discoveries in North America...
, the French explorer, and the Jesuit missionary priest Father Jacques Marquette
Jacques Marquette
Father Jacques Marquette S.J. , sometimes known as Père Marquette, was a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan's first European settlement, Sault Ste. Marie, and later founded St. Ignace, Michigan...
made their trip up the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
in 1673. Later, the Illinois Tribe was virtually annihilated in protracted warfare with the aggressive Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
.
Buffalo Rock State Park served as an early military, trading, and missionary post for the French. During the winter of 1682-1683, LaSalle and Tonty built Fort St. Louis
Fort St. Louis
Fort St. Louis or Fort Saint Louis or Fort Ste. Louis may mean one of several French forts of the late 17th century, two of which were founded by explorer La Salle:...
on Starved Rock, and gathered 4,000 Indian warriors at Buffalo Rock to form a confederation against the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
. The Miami, one of the tribes in the confederation, built their own fort on Buffalo Rock.
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
Sanatorium
A sanatorium is a medical facility for long-term illness, most typically associated with treatment of tuberculosis before antibiotics...
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.
Wildlife
Many animals can be seen and heard within the park, but two American BisonAmerican Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
reside here. They have a pen and grazing field which is located across from the baseball diamond and can be seen daily.
Trails
The state park currently has two trails: the River Bluff Trail, and the Woodland Trail. The River Bluff Trail runs above the Illinois RiverIllinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
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
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. 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
The Effigy Tumuli earthwork consists of five animal sculptures as tribute to ancient Native AmericanIndigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
tradition, mound building. The five animals that are depicted are a 685 feet (208.8 m) water strider
Water strider
Gerridae is a family of true bugs in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as water striders, water bugs, magic bugs, pond skaters, skaters, skimmers, water scooters, water skaters, water skeeters, water skimmers, water skippers, water spiders, or Jesus bugs...
, a 650 feet (198.1 m) turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
, a 770 feet (234.7 m) catfish
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
, a 340 feet (103.6 m) frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
, and a 2070 feet (630.9 m) snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
which is measured from head to toe. The water strider
Water strider
Gerridae is a family of true bugs in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as water striders, water bugs, magic bugs, pond skaters, skaters, skimmers, water scooters, water skaters, water skeeters, water skimmers, water skippers, water spiders, or Jesus bugs...
, catfish
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
, and frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
are built from mounds of dirt, grass, shrubbery, and exposed earth, while the turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
and snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
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 (27.4 m) down
. 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. Visitors can walk a trail through the site (which is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long), and are invited to climb upon the artworks and read interpretive signs and maps to help visualize what they are looking at. As of Summer 2010, visitors can no longer visit the Effigy Tumuli. The trails leading to the depictions are closed off to protect visitors from stray gunfire from a nearby gun range, which has wounded several hikers .
Picnicking
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
- 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.
- At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors. Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
- Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call ahead to the park office before you make your trip.
- For more information on tourism in Illinois, contact the "Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs' Bureau of Tourism".
Directions
- From Ottawa, IllinoisOttawa, IllinoisOttawa is a city located at the confluence of the Illinois River and Fox River in LaSalle County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 18,786...
: From Rte. 6 turn south on W.D. Boyce Memorial Dr. Continue on Boyce to Ottawa Ave. and turn right. Proceed on Ottawa Ave., which becomes Dee Bennett Rd for approximately three miles, the park is located on the left and the I&M Canal (Illinois & Michigan Canal) access area is on the right. - From Utica, Illinois: Take Dee Bennett Rd. east five miles (8 km) to Buffalo Rock.
- GPS Coordinates: N 41.32697; W 88.91006
- "Google Maps, Buffalo Rock State Park & Effigy Tumuli"