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Aroused citizens once again focused their concern, for they were observant of the well-kept adjoining acreage. The Black Hawk State Park had become a reality in 1927. The state, recognizing its beauty and the wisdom of preserving an Indian village site, trod on by a prehistoric race, added the 207 acres to its park system. Later, in 1941, the Rock Island County Historical Society was influential in seeking the state's acquisition of nearby Dickson cemetery. However, the burial ground remained sadly neglected. For the most part, time was taking its toll. In 1946, the Historical Society representatives notified the State Director of Public Works of the abandoned cemetery. They emphasized the historial importance of remaining monuments; marking grave sites; the need of preserving the only existing corn (squaw) hills in the United States, traced by the unevenness of land apparent in the center of the site; the necessity of enclosing the area, and placing proper legends to indicatethe significance of important features. The state's response was limited to occasional mowing. In the 1950's an Argus reporter, George Wickstrom, observed the plot being used for overflow parking, during the labor Day weekend Pow-Wow. No fencing existed.
The forgotten cemetery was "discovered" by a park custodian late in the 1950's. Ano-parking sign was erected; dozens of displaced gravestones were found under accumulated leaves and dead weeds. The Indian corn hills identfied by remnants of sod were still distinguishable. However, a program of maintenance was not established. During thirty years of residency of the writer in close proximity, gradual desolation has been apparent. Possibly state funds were not extensive enough for the care of atiny pioneer burial plot located in a far corner of the park. Within the past few years, suddenly and thankfully, a surge of concern for Dickson cemetery has developed; park rangers are interested and cooperative. Citizens to Preserve Black Hawk State Park Foundation, the State Department of Conservation, and the Tri-City Garden Club members are at work.
In 18769, a boy scout, seeking a project for his Eagle Scout Award, headed a group which cut weeds, unearthed tomstones, made thirty wooden crosses, located them throughout as markers, and furnished labor for fencing. The custodian is overseeing the preservation of an expanse of prairie land north and east of the burial ground. Interest is given in that location to a winding depressing in the earth, made by Indians as they followed their trail from Sauk-e-Nuk to Fort Armstrong. The quietness of the graveyard, the nearby untouched woodlands, "never planted or otherwise cultivated", the bird songs drifting from the forest edge, bring an enveloping sense of peace and beauty to one who walks therein. One senses the past - the pre-historic civilization living out its life spans on this very soil; the moccasined feet treading their trails, planting their corn, playing their games, fighting their battles; our own forefathers enduring the wilderness to establish new frontiers for our nation. If we agree with Webster that history is "the life of a nation in which man has taken part", then Dickson Cemetery, the oldest burial ground in the county, remains as integral part of our history, and as such, deserves our every care. |
