Rock Cut State Park
Encyclopedia
Rock Cut State Park is a state park
of the U.S.
state of Illinois
. Located near Rockford
in Winnebago County
, it covers 3,092 acres (12.5 km²), enveloping Pierce Lake
and Olson Lake. Rock Cut Park's main entrance is located on Highway 173
, 1 mile west of Interstate 90
.
It is after this tribe, that the county in Illinois where the park is located is named. This land became the property of the United States as a result of Indian concessions after the Black Hawk War. Once under American control, the Scots that settled around Argyle which led to the Scottish settlement in Northern Illinois, along with some westward bound New Yorkers and New Englanders. The New Yorkers and New Englanders that made a settlement in this region now known as Rock Cut established a town known as Harlem. It was named after New York’s own Harlem. The land acquisition proposition was made by Representative Pierce of Rockford, IL near the park, after whom the most popular fishing spot in the park known as Pierce Lake. The proposition was made in 1955 and the park was officially in existence two years later in 1957 on October 25.
Deer, fox, muskrat, beavers, opossum, raccoons, squirrels, and woodchucks all live prosperously in this region and are regularly seen by wildlife observers. More than 100 distinct sorts of flowers grow in the park. The trees are thick and all over the land within the park’s confines. The water is replenished and stocked with largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish, bullhead, muskellunge, northern pike, and walleye.
Illinois state parks
The Illinois state park system began in 1908 with what is now Fort Massac State Park becoming the first park in a system encompassing over 60 parks and about the same number of recreational and wildlife areas....
of the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Illinois
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,...
. Located near Rockford
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
in Winnebago County
Winnebago County, Illinois
Winnebago County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 295,266, which is an increase of 6.1% from 278,418 in 2000...
, it covers 3,092 acres (12.5 km²), enveloping Pierce Lake
Pierce Lake
Pierce Lake may refer to various United States locations:*Pierce Lake, a lake in Martin County, Minnesota*Pierce Lake, a lake in McLeod County, Minnesota*Pierce Lake, a man-made lake in Rock Cut State Park, Illinois...
and Olson Lake. Rock Cut Park's main entrance is located on Highway 173
Illinois Route 173
Illinois Route 173 is an east–west state road that runs from Illinois Route 251 in the Rockford suburb of Machesney Park east to Illinois Route 137 in Zion near the Illinois-Wisconsin border; this is a distance of . Illinois Route 173 is also one of the northernmost east-west state highways...
, 1 mile west of Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
.
History
During the 17th century, Native Americans that were driven from the East by the Iroquois Confederacy settled in today’s Northern Illinois. These Natives were originally in the region south of Lake Michigan and spoke Miami. The land in which they settled became Rock Cut State Park. The region was occupied by the Mascouten between the mid-17th century to the early-to- mid-18th century. After the Mascouten lost influence on the land, it was taken up by the Winnebago.It is after this tribe, that the county in Illinois where the park is located is named. This land became the property of the United States as a result of Indian concessions after the Black Hawk War. Once under American control, the Scots that settled around Argyle which led to the Scottish settlement in Northern Illinois, along with some westward bound New Yorkers and New Englanders. The New Yorkers and New Englanders that made a settlement in this region now known as Rock Cut established a town known as Harlem. It was named after New York’s own Harlem. The land acquisition proposition was made by Representative Pierce of Rockford, IL near the park, after whom the most popular fishing spot in the park known as Pierce Lake. The proposition was made in 1955 and the park was officially in existence two years later in 1957 on October 25.
Layout
There are 268 campsites for overnight stays at the park. The reservations spread from class A, B, and C. The spaces open for camping are open year-round with many different accommodations for different seasons. For instance, during the winter, electricity is provided to those who wish to have it available to them. There are Equestrian Trails for those with horses but the campground does not rent out horses. There is a massive series of trails for people that visit the park which has 40 miles of trails that are established for hiking and running. Twenty three miles are designated mountain biking trails and fourteen miles of trails are devoted to horseback riding.Plant and Animal Life
Due to the plentiful supply of water and moisture throughout the park, wildlife and plants grow abundantly. Waterfowl and other birds can be frequently spotted.Deer, fox, muskrat, beavers, opossum, raccoons, squirrels, and woodchucks all live prosperously in this region and are regularly seen by wildlife observers. More than 100 distinct sorts of flowers grow in the park. The trees are thick and all over the land within the park’s confines. The water is replenished and stocked with largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish, bullhead, muskellunge, northern pike, and walleye.
Climate
The climate of Rock Cut is essentially typical for the region of the Midwest in which it is found. The climate can best be described as temperate. The summers can reach sweltering temperatures in the 90’s and the winters get as low as subzero levels in bitter wind. The fall and spring progressively grow to be more and more like the season they approach over time.Recreation
The park offers a wide variety of activities for people of all ages and interests. Along the water there is sand volleyball, lifeguarding lessons, swimming, boat rentals, kayaking, canoeing, swimming lessons, and fishing. More land based recreation involves hunting, hiking, running, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, and camping. In the winter, cross country skiing is available. There is much to be seen and done at this sprawling park.External links
- http://www.stateparks.com/rock_cut.html
- http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r1/rockcut.htm
- http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/index.php?/pso/article/rock_cut_park_turns_50/
- State of Illinois Rock Cut State Park information