Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island celebrates its 90th anniversary next month with tours, special children’s activities, music and refreshments. The free fun starts Sunday, July 9th at 1 p.m. Children can work on projects inspired by the book “Twelve Moons” about the lives of the Sauk and Meskwaki peoples. They also get to make take-home crafts and help build an eagle’s nest. Black Hawk was established as a park in 1927. Its formal designation was changed to “state historic site” in 1979. The land was occupied by Native Americans as far back as 12,000 years ago. The Sauk and Meskwaki lived here from about 1750 to 1831. Led by the warrior Black Hawk, the tribes battled soldiers and settlers in 1832 but lost and were forced out of the state. The 208-acre historic site includes a large natural area, the Watch Tower Lodge and the Hauberg Indian Museum. It is open for free public tours.
