White Pines Forest lies in the heart of Black Hawk Indian country and is rich in historic accounts of the brave warriors who resisted the efforts of settlers to drive them from their beloved Rock River Valley. Eventually, however, the Black Hawk War forced them out and Chief Black Hawk himself was sent into exile in the custody of his rival Keokuk. When early settlers arrived, they found this 700-acre forest of untouched pine extending for 1/4 mile along the east bank of Pine Creek. With a view to preserving Illinois' last stand of native white pines and the most southern stand of white pines in the region, a movement was started in the early part of the 20th century to set the area aside as a state park. Through efforts of Ogle County nature lovers, a bill appropriating $30,000 for purchase of land was passed by the legislature in 1903, but the measure was vetoed. In 1927, however, they had more success, and the forest was acquired.