Rock Cut State Park Investigation

By the middle of the 17th century, Miami-speaking tribes of Native Americans entered the region of Rock Cut State Park after the Iroquois drove them from territory on the southern end of Lake Michigan.

From about 1655 until 1735, the Rock River was within the range of the Mascouten, who were also pushed westward by the Iroquois. The Winnebago ranged southward from Wisconsin to the Rock River from the 1740s until 1837, while the river’s upper portion was on the periphery of the Fox and Sauk territory from about 1765 to 1833. By 1800, the Potawatomi, Ottawa and Chippewa nations had extended their range into the area, but they ceded their lands to the United States 32 years later following the Black Hawk War.

Settlement of Winnebago County began after the Black Hawk War. The region that is now Rock Cut State Park was settled partly by Scots around Argyle - named for their Scottish home of Argyllshire - and partly by Canadians, New Yorkers and New Englanders around the town of Harlem - named for New York City's Harlem.

Address; 7223 West Lane Rd., Caledonia, IL 61011

Phone: 815-885-3311

Website: https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.rockcut.html

Hauntings: Several sources are reporting that as they drive along Harlem Road, approaching the Willow Creek entrance, they see a woman in white, with a “white glow” and her arms outstretched and tied to the entrance gate. Many have reported that they have stopped to help the woman but she just mysteriously disappears.

She is only described as a female with a “white glow”. Officials from the park have informed people, off the record, that they have had several reports over the years of similar sightings near the same area. Each time, however, it has been unfounded.

Only story say that legend has it that an Indiana maiden who lived on this land before the park was established fell in love with a young brave, but her father forced her to marry an older man in their tribe. She was supposedly so distraught she killed herself by throwing herself off Lone Rock. The maiden is said to still be wandering the park, searching for her brave, and has been reportedly seen crying near the rock. There have reports of strange flashing lights and shadows moving through the trees. Some see a figure of a woman standing or sitting on the rock.

One article spoke of a man who came into the area just as dusk was falling. This hiker was confused by the sounds of drums and then horrified as a woman’s scream pierced the air. Looking up, he saw the figure of a young girl throw herself over the edge of the rock. The hiker raced down into the creek bed to offer assistance but could find no evidence of what he had witnessed. On his way out of the park, he flagged down a park ranger to tell him of the disturbing experience. It brought him no comfort when the ranger explained the legend of Lone Rock.

Another article from a later decade claimed that other hikers had seen a young couple sitting on top of the rock. At first, the hikers thought the two were part of a photography shoot. They were both dressed in the clothes of Native Americans. Those that witness the couple all claim that the people they saw were as solid “as you or me”. Every single one of them stated they had no idea they were seeing anything strange. Not until the couple disappeared right before their eyes.

Equipment setup: Only handheld equipment was used like digital recorders and 4k camcorder, Phasma Box.

Experiments performed: One single Phasma Box session was conducted by the Lone Rock; site of suicides and paranormal experiences.

Personal experiences:

Dale Kaczmarek: To be perfectly honest, it was a bit creepy near the Lone Rock probably due to the past paranormal experiences that people have had in the past. Even though Paul and I didn’t feel or see anything doesn’t mean that the area wasn’t a bit strange and spooky.

Evidence collected: None!

Words spoken by the Phasma Box: two

The Ghost Research Society investigated Rock Cut State Park on August 22, 2024. Team members included: Paul Adams and Dale Kaczmarek

Conclusions: Since this and all of America was once Native American Indian land, it isn’t surprising that there are reports of seeing and hearing the voices of those indigenous people still on the land they once owned before it became a park. The reports of the Indian maiden being forced to marry an older man causing her to throw herself off the rock is very similar to the Devil’s Promenade near Joplin, Missouri. Now whether this is fact or fiction is anyone’s guess but it does seem a follow a pattern with Indian ghost stories across the country.

We were able to locate the gate with a whitish figure sometimes seen tied to the gate has been reported. We were able to get some pictures but entrance beyond that point was restricted. This would be a great place to do a nighttime investigation with permission of course.