STARVED ROCK, a high, isolated pinnacle on the south side of the valley of Illinois be tween Utica and Ottawa, La Salle County, Ill. Its name indicates the fate of the last of the Illini Indians who were besieged by invading Iroquois Indians until their sup plies gave out. This rock, known as La Rocher to the French, was a famous locality all through the early history of the north-central Illinois region for it is a conspicuous landmark at the head of navigation in Illinois River. Late in 1682 La Salle built on its summit the fort "Saint Louis des Illinois" which was a most important outpost and intended to be the cen tre of a large French colony. With sheer walls rising 130 feet above the river at its northern base and almost inaccessible from the bluffs on its south side, it was easy to defend. The area on top was somewhat less than an acre. The fort was abandoned about 1690 and
the Indians and traders finally left its vicinity. The rock consists of soft, massive, nearly horizontal sandstone of Saint Peters forma tion which constitutes the bluffy sides of Illi nois Valley in La Salle County. It was iso lated by erosion from the main body of the formation in the neighboring bluffs. It is claimed that the first bituminous coal used in the United States was obtained near Starved Rock about 1695. On account of its great his toric interest and highly picturesque surround ings, Starved Rock has been made a State park of 10,000 acres. Consult Baldwin, C., 'History of La Salle County' ; Carter, J. D.,. 'Last of the Illinois,' and Sauer. C. 0.. 'Geography of the Upper Illinois Valley' (State Geological Survey, Bulletin 27).