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Post by Robert Braun on Sept 24, 2002 11:03:43 GMT -5
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Post by Greg Carter on Sept 24, 2002 18:44:50 GMT -5
Bob,
the people of Oregon believe that their town is the exact center and most valuable point of the Black Hawk War, which is why the "Black Hawk Statue" as they know it, was built across the river in Lowden SP. the creation is a statue of Lincoln walking along and Black Hawk apparently leaping away from him into the air. The park is named Mix because it sits across the street from a concrete manufacturer. I believe it was paid for by a blacktop company as well. It is on Highway 2 right at the intersection of the highway that leads to Polo, a.k.a. Pines Road. Pines Road is across the same terrain as the former Boles Trail, which was a pre-Galena Road trail from the Grand Detour of the Rock River to Dixon. The Galena Road covers its route northwest of Polo, not far from where William Durley was shot. For visitors to Mix Park, it is a small triangular sweep of grass with a swingset on it right before you leave oregon. If you aren't careful it is easy to miss. There is a sign facing Hwy 2 that says MIX PARK.
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Chris Gordy
Junior Member
"Can I hold the gun to the side? It looks so cool."
Posts: 89
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Post by Chris Gordy on Oct 9, 2002 8:51:28 GMT -5
Having just been there . . . you're right about almost missing it. The statue itself, however, will be on the corner of the park facing Highway 2. Since we were a week too early we didn't see the statue but noticed the large platform of stones being finished for it. That park already has another statue by Loredo (sp?) Taft in the center. The drive from Dixon up to Oregon is quite nice. You can stop by the park then go up to Grand Detour and see the John Deere historical site. A little north of that is a small historical marker all about the Bandittis' (sp again). After seeing the large BH statue across the river it's on to Stillman Valley. Pretty nice drive.
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Post by Greg Carter on Oct 9, 2002 14:16:25 GMT -5
It is definitely a beautiful drive that way. It is only disappointing that everything except the dirt under the grass is named "Blackhawk's".
GMC
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Post by Rusty Ayers on Oct 9, 2002 16:02:00 GMT -5
I thought the statue was going to be Black Hawk stealing Lincoln's horse, with Lincoln brandishing his wooden sword in a threatening manner...
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Post by Mike Thorson on Oct 11, 2002 13:46:44 GMT -5
From the site "Black Hawk said, "I gave everything I had away, and reduced myself to poverty. The only covering I retained was a piece of buffalo robe. I resolved on blacking my face and fasting for two years, for the loss of my two children - drinking only of water in the middle of the day, and eating sparingly of boiled corn at sunset. I fulfilled my promise, hoping that the Great Spirit would take pity on me." It is implied that he said this after his defeat and capture in 1832 but didn't he say that this happened early in his life?? Compositionally the piece is well done. The movement is dynamic and the figures are very well executed. The artist, Jeff Adams is extremely talented. Although I can't say exactly how I would execute it or offer another way for it to be done, I think the gestures are overdone and too overt. I think more contrapasto and less drama - but that is the trend in contemporary figurative "mainstream" sculpture in the U.S. . Unfortunately the artist can't ask too much from the viewer lest he risk confusing them. Such is the case of art education in this country.  |
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Post by Greg Carter on Oct 14, 2002 6:55:14 GMT -5
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR, MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2002
Lincoln-Black Hawk statue unveiled at Oregon park
By Lee Williams
The project took five years to complete and cost 132,000.
"Honest Abe" and Chief Black Hawk now stand as a testament to the conflict that once gripped the Rock River Valley. The two are part of a 13 1/2-foot bronze statue, titled "Paths of Conviction, Footsteps of Fate," that was unveiled Sunday afternoon by artist Jeff Adams at Mix Park in Oregon.
The project took five years for Adams to complete. Hundreds took time to view Adams' work, which cost $132,000.
It represents the second tribute to Chief Black Hawk in the Oregon area. A 48-foot statue of Black Hawk also sits in Lowden State Park overlooking the Rock River.
Clean-shaven "Honest Abe" is dressed in a white shirt, bow tie and suspenders. A long coat rests on his left shoulder. His right hand is stretched outward.
Facing in the opposite direction, Chief Black Hawk clings to a jagged rock while clutching a buffalo robe. His defiant hand stretches skyward. The two legendary figures are captured in a new sculpture unveiled Sunday afternoon by creator Jeff Adams at Mix Park.
The bronze 13 1/2-foot statue cost $132,000 and took five years to complete, but Adams said it was well worth the extraordinary effort.
"It's just a real pleasure to see this five years of work come together." said Adams. "And it's not just my work, but the help and support of the community as well."
The statue, entitled "Paths of Conviction, Footsteps of Fate," sits atop six layers of gray and bronze colored limestone interspersed with mulch and plants.
As history goes, Chief Black Hawk of the Sauk Tribe and President Abraham Lincoln traveled starkly different paths. But their lives became intertwined when Black Hawk led a rebellion to reclaim his homeland and Lincoln led the militia toe help resettle the native Americans.
People from around the region came to see the unveiling.
"It's beautiful...such detail- his facial expersision and the veins on his feet," said Viola Guetschow of South Beloit while looking at Black Hawk's carefully sculpted body. "I think it will be a tourist attraction."
Diana Myers and Charles Yager, both of Chicago, were passing through town when they noticed the large gathering. They pulled over and decided to take a look at the statue.
"It's much more interpretative and less historical than I would have imagined." Myers said. "There are a lot of historical monuments that are literal, and I think there is a place for something like this."
Yager said the position of the two men implies there never will be unity. "It's sort of separate, but equal. They're definitely not getting together. They're coexisting."
Several children scampered near the bronze attraction as their parents looked on. The older kids also were enamored with the creation.
Cody Suter, 12, of Oregon, used Sunday;s event as a chance to brush up on his Illinois history.
"Black Hawk was an Indian chief of the Sauk Tribe," said Suter, a seventh-grader at Black Hawk Junior High School. "He was killed. He led a revolt. They tried to get back their land."
Next, he rattled off a little Lincoln history without batting an eyelash.
"He was the 16th president. He got shot in the theater, Ford's Theater. Right here," he said pointing to the back of his head. "He was best known for being a president, and he was nice to the slaves. He freed them."
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Post by Greg Carter on Oct 14, 2002 6:59:08 GMT -5
OK! Now it's my turn to say "Can anyone pick out the errors? how many do you see?  ?" If you guys can believe this, this story was front-page news. I have changed my Canada-Kentucky theory. I live in Wisconsin. Kentucky starts at the Winnebago County southern line, and Canada starts at Beloit. Illinois is no mo. "Black Hawk's sculpted body." HA!! Give me a break! GMC |
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Chris Gordy
Junior Member
"Can I hold the gun to the side? It looks so cool."
Posts: 89
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Post by Chris Gordy on Oct 14, 2002 9:45:00 GMT -5
Wouldn't you know it? As soon as I leave the southern Illinois area they go up an decide to expand their region. Oh well, guess they couldn't live without me. ;D
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Chris Gordy
Junior Member
"Can I hold the gun to the side? It looks so cool."
Posts: 89
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Post by Chris Gordy on Oct 14, 2002 9:57:22 GMT -5
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Post by Robert Braun on Oct 14, 2002 11:28:50 GMT -5
I read the article and viewed the pictures. I agree with Diana Myer's observation as printed in the article: “It’s much more interpretative and less historical than I would have imagined.The artistic renditions have the look of some real license. I guess BH is OK. From the Rockford Register Star newspaper image, Lincoln looks like an emaciated version of the Crypt-keeper.  |
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Post by Greg Carter on Oct 14, 2002 14:22:44 GMT -5
well, Lincoln's chief job, that is after he killed Chief Black Hawk, was to bury the dead all across Illinois and Wisconsin, so I guess he qualifies as a crypt keeper, and you know, all the walking he did after his horse done got stole really thinned him out. The other possibility is that since Mr. Lincoln was such a good friend of the slaves in 1832, perhaps he was genetically linked to an ethiopian or another enslaved culture of starving people. Who knows? While we're on the subject of emaciated people, The RRStar image of BH makes him look like Gunga Din.
GMC
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Post by Greg Carter on Oct 28, 2002 20:13:59 GMT -5
One last thing to add here-
In this rendition, Black Hawk is naked! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!
GMC
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