History

Excerpt from a report by Morgan Davis on the History of Blackhawk:

Camping was held in a conference type atmosphere for a number of years at Shimer College in Mt. Carroll before moving to Camp Ralston, a Girl Scout Camp near Dixon for the 1958 season. Reynoldswood, a Methodist Camp at the edge of Dison furnished the site for a camp for one season. In the summer of 1960, Senior Highs held a working camp on the Blackhawk site during the day and had their meals and lodging at the Dixon parsonage.

Norman Godbey, Jack Brown and Morgan Davis had serves as Presidents of a Northern Area Camp Board that met regularly from 1957. Others that served as Board Members were O.S. Day, Phillip Mendel, Elwood Wylie, Lester Ashdown, Fred Schwabenland, Ken Steelman, William Hill, Jack Brown, Albert Grady, P.O. Douglas and Paul Parks. Much help for the program came from the Dixon membership including Clarence Seagren, Bill Oaks, Harold Smith, Jack Smith, Bob Welty, Bill Appleman, and Elton School.

Members of the Illinois Baptist State Convention staff, Al Gernenz, Jim HAvens, Mildred Arnold, E.L. Hurley and Harold Schlink added valuable assistance.

In 1959, a search began for a site for camping in Northern Illinois. Morgan Davis, then pastor at First Baptist Church at Dixon had an appointment with his dentist, Dr. Curt Fisher at Polo, Illinois, who was a member at Dixon Baptist Church. While chatting between drilling, Davis mentioned that the Board was looking for a camping site. Afterwards, wen at lunch, Fisher mentioned the matter in a local cafe in Polo. As a result of that mention, five possible sites were identified.

A site that stood out was 160 acres south of White Pines State Park that was owned by W. Floyd and Ann Stauffer. A Warranty Deed showed a price of $12,000 for the 1959 purchase. Fred Schwabenland loaned the $12,000 for the purchase after approval by the Illinois Baptist State Convention Board and Camp Board.

On Sunday, June 21, 1959, a Vesper Service was held on the unimproved camp ground. The Illinois Baptist State Convention President, Jed Johnson, presided over a service that featured Wes Holly, a country-western singer on TV Channel Six in Rock Island, Illinois. The attendance showed the support of the churches. The money to pay for the camp grounds came from the selling of camp shares at $26 a share.

On Novemeber 2, 1959, the camp board chose the name Blackhawk Baptist Camp in recognition of the section of Illinois that had a significant relation to that name.

On May 18, 1960, a report was mailed to area churches regarding what had been done.

1. We had bought and paid for 160 acres of beautiful timber land (twenty acres to be farmed) located 8 miles north of Dixon and about 3 miles northwest of Grand Detour. A cost of $12,000 paid.

2. We had drilled a well with a six inch casting to a depth of 220 feet where we found an abundance of good water.

3. We had erected four cabins 26 feet by 28 feet each with shower and toilet facilities. Cost $2,500 each.

Operating on faith, the Board said they were proceeding to:

1. Build a lodge 28 feet by 44 feet--two levels including kitchen and restrooms--$16,000 needed.

2. Construct an all weather road from the county road to the cabins--$4000 needed.

3. Run electric power lines to the camp site--$2500 needed.

4. Equipment needs such as beds, mattresses, dining room tables, chairs, dishes, silverware and kitchen equipment--$5000 needed.

Rodney Britten, American Baptist Convention Camping Consultant and Glen Wallace, Camp Architect, added their help in the development.

Morgan Davis became Director of Camping for the Illinois Baptist State Convention in September 1960. He was followed in that position by Daniel Holland and Mark Estrop in the continuing development of the camp.

There have been many changes through the years. The first swimming pool had a completion date of June 1, 1966 by the builder, M & M Pools of Rockford, IL.

On May 29, 1975, Emerson Janssen reported completion of trees on the 20 acres that had been farmed. The Illinois Department of Conservation was paid $285 for the trees on August 20, 1975. As persons attend the camp today, the growth of these trees is amazing. We have assurance that our youth have grown in stature as the result of our investment in the physical facilities of Blackhawk Camp.

We must give our thanks to all the deans and counselors who have served for 40 years.