The Rock River area of Oregon, Illinois was a beautiful sight to behold. the river’s width is wider than the Allegheny River here in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The overall depth is more in tune with a natural, free-flowing river. Plenty of islands, some of a large size, can be viewed . While I walked about the Lowden Park and White Rock Parks I could see many paired off Canada Geese. Some nests were discovered too. 
The Castle Rock Park area had high rocky outcrops. One had steps guesstimated to be over 500 feet in length to walk to the top viewing area. here you could look out in both directions of the Rock River. Many vultures were flying about. these rocky areas would provide outstanding nesting sites for the carrion-loving bird.
I understand that “clamming” was popular in the rivers earlier history. Catfishing is still popular.
North of Oregon, Illinois, on the eastern hillside stands a memorial reaching 48 feet 4 inches towards the sky. The monument built early in the last century depicts the War Chief, Black hawk. Black Hawk was leader of warriors of the Sauk and Fox Indian nations of that area. He led a short-lived rebellion against the white encroachments in 1832. Sadly, the limited resources always lead to the loss of native lands. The white war machine could be kept with supplies and manpower making Indian resistance doomed. this is and has been part of a negative history of America, but this is still our history.
Black Hawk
Visitors can stand at the memorial’s base and look upon the Rock River and see Oregon on the opposite bank. It is quite impressive to stand by and look about.
Larry A. Smail's Blog 
Leave a Reply