OREGON, Ill. (AP) – A protective plastic shroud encasing a century-old Black Hawk statue was removed only to reveal damage to the northern Illinois landmark has gotten worse.
The 48-foot-tall statute in Lowden State Park was covered in black protective sheets when a restoration effort started about four years ago.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources agreed to unwrap the crumbling tourist attraction for the summer to help bring visitors back to the Oregon area.
Keith Niles of Quality Restorations of Wood Dale said Friday the tarps and the padding underneath kept moisture away. However, additional deterioration of the statue’s left arm and a leg were found, in addition to new cracks near the head and on the left shoulder.
Lorado Taft sculpted the Eternal Indian statue, also known as Rock River Colossus.
