Friday, July 16, 2010

July Mississppi River Trip-- Part 1

Historically speaking about yesterday's drive through northern Illinois.

We passed two sites associated with the Blackhawk War dating to the 1830s. The town of Stillmam Valley has a statue honoring soldiers killed fighting Chief Blackhawk and his warriors. Their graves are nearby.

We also visited the Blackhawk Statue on the bluff overlooking the Rock River. Well, it's not actually of Blackhawk, but represents Indians in general. The impressive fifty foot statue was built 100 years ago by famed sculptor Lorado Taft. Three weeks ago, I saw it from a river boat, but today saw it up close and personal. Impressive.

Then, there is the small town of Grand Detour where one man named John Deere developed his famous prairie plow that enabled farmers to break through the tough prairie sod in the midwest which led to its becoming one of the world's major agricultural areas.

Historically Speaking, Of Course. --DaCoot

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