Starved Rock

Starved Rock State Park is characterized by numerous canyons. Before Europeans arrived, the area was inhabited by Native Americans, the Illiniwek. According to legend in the late 18th century this group was chased by the Ottawa and Potawatomi (neighboring peoples) and took refuge on a rock. Around 1769 the two rival peoples besieged the rock until all the Illiniwek starved to death and the boulder became known as "Starved Rock."
The origin of the canyons is due to the flow of melt water from the glacier present in this area about 14,000 to 19,000 years ago.

View onto the Illinois River dam from the top of starved rock

According to local legend, the Ottawa leader Pontiac was assassinated by a Peoria warrior in 1769.
• In retaliation, the Ottawa and Potawatomi besieged a group of Illiniwek (Illinois Confederacy) entrenched on the rock.
• The besieged starved to death, and thus the rock became known as "Starved Rock."