Past Blast: Starved Rock

Starved Rock

On a mini-weekend away last year, Cassie and I toured northern-Illinois' closest thing to an awe-inspiring National Park: Starved Rock State Park along the Illinois River. The sandstone bluffs along the river are impressive due to the usual flatness of the Illinois Prairieland; and canyons carved by glacial runoff are always fun to explore.

In the 1760s the local Native American tribes [Illiniwek, Potawatomi, and Ottawa] were fighting after the slaying of Chief Pontiac. A group of Illiniwek sought refuge on the high bluff overlooking the Illinois River, and were surrounded. Unable to leave, the group died of starvation, and 'Starved Rock' was born. Other landmark bluffs were later named Beehive Overlook and Lover's Leap.

Illinois River Dam

The Illinois River gained a series of Dams and Locks in the mid-1800s when the I&M canal was built to connect Lake Michigan with the Mississippi River. Starved Rock happens to overlook one of these dams, which constantly has barge traffic moving up- and down-river.

Wildcat Canyon

Today the State Park has miles of hiking along the bluffs and canyons, as well a lodge/hotel complex with a couple of good eateries. Of course you can always bring a grill and eat along the river as well. And if you're lucky, there may be a Burgoo Festival going on in one of the nearby towns...