This favorite resort of Black Hawk, situated on the highest bank of
Rock river, had been selected by his father as a lookout, at the first
building up of their village. From this point they had an unobstructed
view up and down Rock river for many miles, and across the prairies
as far as the vision could penetrate, and since that country has been
settled by the whites, for more than half a century, has been the
admiration of many thousands of people.
The village of Black Hawk, including this grand "look out," was
purchased from the Government by Col. George Davenport, at Black Hawk's
particular request, for the reason, as he afterwards told us, that he
could leave it with an abiding assurance that the graves of their people
would be protected from vandal hands.
This property including hundreds of acres lying between Rock river and
the Mississippi, is now owned by Hon. B. Davenport, and as it has long
been a pleasure resort for picnic and other parties, he has erected an
elegant pavilion on its site, with a good residence for a family, who
have charge of it, which will now make it the finest pleasure resort in
that part of the country. And in order to make it more easy of access,
he has constructed a branch from the Rock Island and Milan railroad,
leading directly to the Tower. Now its many visitors in the future can
sit on the veranda, and while enjoying the elegant scenery, can take
ease and comfort in the cool shade. And for this high privilege the name
of Davenport will receive many hearty greetings.
Fifty years ago (1832) we made, our first visit to Black Hawk's Tower
with Col. George Davenport, and listened with intense interest to his
recital of scenes that had been enacted there may years before; and one
year later had them all repeated, with may more, from the lips of Black
Hawk himself. How changed the scene. Then it was in its rustic state,
now this fine pavilion, being a long, low structure, built somewhat
after the Swiss cottage plan, with broad sloping roofs, and wide, long
porches on the north and south sides, the one facing the road and the
other fronting the river and giving a view of a beautiful stretch of
country up and down Rock river, greatly enhances its beauty and adds
much to the comfort of visitors.
The following beautiful word paintings by a recent visitor to the Tower,
we take from the Rock Island Union: