425 million years ago, the Trenton Sea formed the rock base of the area around Lowden State Park, stretching north into Wisconsin.

The Galena-Platteville Aquifer's spring water in the area travels south from Platteville and Glenwood, Wisconsin through layers of rocks into northern Illinois.

Native Americans inhabited the region prior to European settlement and they kept the trees burnt off the stone bluffs to keep their roots from splitting the rock.

[1] Chicago attorney and patron of the arts Wallace Heckman purchased the land that would eventually become the Eagle's Nest Colony and Lowden State Park in 1898.

[2][3] The Eagle's Nest Art Colony was then founded in 1898 by Taft on the bluffs flanking the east bank of the Rock River, overlooking Oregon, Illinois.

[4] The 63rd Illinois General Assembly designated the 273-acre (110 ha) tract, including the former art colony, Lowden Memorial State Park in 1945.

[12] Though never publicized at the time of construction, when funds were exhausted the park's namesake, Frank Lowden had stepped in to ensure the completion of Black Hawk was financially possible.

[13] The state's Department of Natural Resources has not offered any funds; the loss of the statue for viewing has led to a lower number of visitors to the park.

[4] The Black Hawk Statue overlooks the scenic Rock River which flows through 34 miles (55 km) of Ogle County with an average mid-summer depth of three feet.