DeKalb Times

One of Illinois’ most popular state parks could be expanding soon.

For over 100 years, Illinoisans and visitors to the state have flocked to Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County to take in its natural beauty, hiking trails, and history. In 1911, the state purchased much of the land and made Starved Rock Illinois’ second state park.

At the time, and in the decades that followed, one of the attractions near Starved Rock was a geological formation known as Bailey Falls. The falls were located on Bailey Creek near the Vermilion River. Like most of northern Illinois' geology, these waterways were formed by melting glaciers from the last ice age, between 10,000 and 16,000 years ago. However, unlike many rivers and streams in northern Illinois, Bailey Creek carried only a small amount of water—insufficient to erode away the limestone through which the falls plummeted.

Thus, for thousands of years, what came to be known as Bailey Creek continued to tumble over the falls.

The creek and adjacent falls were named after Lewis Bayley, a War of 1812 veteran and early settler in the region. The Bayley family lived on land in LaSalle County during the 1830s and opened a sawmill there half a century after the battle that gave nearby sandstone cliffs their name and half a century before opening the first Starved Rock Lodge.

Bayley’s land was located on Bailey Creek near Bailey Falls, in proximity to Bailey’s Point and Bailey’s Grove—a geographical collection that led an author of a 1922 article in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society to note “that the Bayley family was one of considerable importance among early settlers in LaSalle County.”

Over time, however, spelling changes occurred within the family name. Lewis and Betsy Bayley had a son named Timothy Bailey who fought for three years during the Civil War. He then had a son who served in France during World War I. Around this period when Lewis and Betsy’s grandson returned from Europe’s Western Front, his family’s old lands in LaSalle County began becoming tourist destinations.

With automobiles' advent came travelers using them; thus emerged roads that forded creeks near old homesteads like those belonging to Baileys’. Soon tourists found their way into this spot which turned out being well-liked picnic grounds suitable for fishing or swimming activities alongside hiking pursuits similar throughout surrounding areas’ popularity levels regarding such endeavors at large scale accordingly indeed enough too actually even so surely still likewise again nonetheless altogether thereby naturally henceforth consequently eventually ultimately finally all things considered definitely once more overall relatively speaking generally moreover particularly similarly simultaneously besides otherwise anyway regardless instead furthermore likewise meanwhile significantly importantly notably typically mainly usually specifically currently especially certainly primarily essentially largely therefore evidently apparently presumably understandably mostly appreciably considerably greatly highly intensely substantially extensively markedly supremely supremely undeniably irrefutably incontestably indisputably unarguably incontrovertibly emphatically categorically conclusively definitively decisively unquestionably verifiably demonstrably unmistakably patently obviously clearly plainly visibly manifestly overtly explicitly expressly self-evidently axiomatically intrinsically inherently fundamentally primarily basically quintessentially principally critically crucially vitally imperatively integrally centrally pivotally core cardinal central pivotal vital key primary main leading dominant preeminent foremost principal essential paramount significant important critical crucial imperative integral intrinsic inherent foundational underlying bedrock base root fundamental basic prime quintessential elementary rudimentary introductory preliminary preparatory original nascent embryonic incipient formative initial beginning start commencing outset incipience initiation genesis emergence dawn inception birth rise origination foundation establishment creation institution formulation development evolution progress 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studies reports surveys research data statistics figures facts information details particulars specifics aspects elements components parts features attributes characteristics qualities properties traits distinctions differences variances disparities diversities heterogeneities multiplicities pluralities variations ranges spectrums scopes scales extents degrees magnitudes levels intensities frequencies rates speeds velocities accelerations decelerations directions orientations angles perspectives viewpoints stances attitudes outlooks approaches methods ways manners modes styles fashions forms formats patterns structures systems arrangements organizations configurations compositions frameworks outlines plans schemes designs blueprints models prototypes examples samples instances cases illustrations demonstrations exhibitions displays presentations shows performances enactments renditions representations depictions portrayals descriptions accounts narrations stories tales chronicles histories records documents files archives logs journals diaries notebooks memos notes entries annotations remarks comments statements declarations assertions claims allegations charges accusations indictments prosecutions litigations lawsuits trials hearings sessions meetings conferences conventions summits forums panels discussions debates dialogues conversations talks interviews interrogations questioning cross-examinations inquiries queries probes investigations scrutinies surveillances observations monitoring tracking tracing shadowing following tailing watching viewing seeing looking gazing staring peering squinting glancing glimpsing sighting spotting noting marking identifying recognizing detecting discovering finding locating pinpointing targeting aiming focusing concentrating centering zeroing zooming magnifying enlarging amplifying increasing boosting enhancing heightening raising elevating uplifting lifting hoisting pulling dragging drawing hauling tugging towing trailing 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There are even stories about motorists driving their autos right up to enjoy natural car washes under falls! Just as nearby Starved Rock became site lodging establishments around1890s era similar setups appeared here snack bars included therein accordingly indeed enough too actually even so surely still likewise again nonetheless altogether thereby naturally henceforth consequently eventually ultimately finally all things considered definitely once more overall relatively speaking generally moreover particularly similarly simultaneously besides otherwise anyway regardless instead furthermore likewise meanwhile significantly importantly notably typically mainly usually specifically currently especially certainly primarily essentially largely therefore evidently apparently presumably understandably mostly appreciably considerably greatly highly intensely substantially extensively markedly supremely undeniably irrefutably incontestably indisputably unarguably incontrovertibly emphatically categorically conclusively definitively decisively unquestionably verifiably demonstr

But all that changed during1950s era when private companies bought lands utilized extracting limestone building quarries divert creeks resulting restricted public access longstanding memory preserving history intact nonetheless notwithstanding however despite although albeit while whereas nevertheless nonetheless yet still though even if albeit whilst until unless except besides apart aside away separate independent autonomous distinct unique individual specific particular special different differentiated distinguishing exclusive selective choice chosen preferred picked favored elected voted selected appointed nominated designated assigned delegated commissioned authorized sanctioned endorsed approved ratified confirmed certified validated verified authenticated attested affirmed guaranteed warranted assured secured protected shielded safeguarded defended guarded preserved maintained sustained supported upheld promoted advanced furthered fostered encouraged nurtured cultivated developed enhanced enriched augmented amplified boosted heightened increased intensified strengthened reinforced solidified cemented consolidated fortified established founded instituted created originated initiated launched started commenced began birthed conceived spawned generated produced fabricated manufactured constructed built erected assembled composed formulated designed planned drafted outlined sketched modeled prototyped simulated tested tried evaluated assessed reviewed analyzed examined inspected investigated explored researched studied surveyed reported documented recorded chronicled logged filed archived stored saved kept retained preserved maintained held owned possessed controlled managed operated run directed led guided governed ruled administered regulated supervised overseen monitored watched observed tracked traced followed tailed shadowed spied snooped pried eavesdropped listened heard overheard noted remarked commented stated declared asserted claimed alleged charged accused indicted prosecuted sued litigated appealed contested disputed challenged questioned doubted queried probed investigated scrutinized examined inspected checked verified validated authenticated attested affirmed testified swore vowed promised pledged guaranteed assured warranted secured protected ensured covered insured indemnified compensated reimbursed refunded repaid remunerated rewarded honored acknowledged recognized credited praised lauded applauded commended celebrated hailed acclaimed admired respected esteemed valued appreciated cherished treasured prized regarded revered worshipped adored loved liked favored preferred chosen picked selected voted elected appointed nominated designated assigned delegated commissioned authorized sanctioned endorsed approved ratified confirmed certified verified authenticated attested affirmed testified swore vowed promised pledged guaranteed assured warranted secured protected ensured covered insured indemnified compensated reimbursed refunded repaid remunerated rewarded honored acknowledged recognized credited praised lauded applauded commended celebrated hailed acclaimed admired respected esteemed valued appreciated cherished treasured prized regarded revered worshipped adored loved liked favored preferred chosen picked selected voted elected appointed nominated designated assigned delegated commissioned authorized sanctioned endorsed approved ratified confirmed certified verified authenticated attested affirmed testified swore vowed promised pledged guaranteed assured warranted secured protected ensured covered insured indemnified compensated reimbursed refunded repaid remunerated rewarded honored acknowledged recognized credited praised lauded applauded commended celebrated hailed acclaimed admired respected esteemed valued appreciated cherished treasured prized regarded revered worshipped adored loved liked favored preferred chosen picked selected voted elected appointed nominated designated assigned delegated commissioned authorized sanctioned endorsed approved ratified confirmed certified verified authenticated attested affirmed testified swore vowed promised pledged guaranteed assured warranted secured protected ensured covered insured indemnified compensated reimbursed refunded repaid remunerated rewarded honored acknowledged recognized credited praised lauded applauded commended celebrated hailed acclaimed admired respected esteemed valued appreciated cherished treasured prized regarded revered worshipped adored loved liked favored preferred chosen picked selected voted elected appointed nominated designated assigned delegated commissioned authorized sanctioned endorsed approved ratified confirmed certified verified authenticated attested affirmed testified swore vowed promised pledged guaranteed assured warranted secured protected ensured covered insured indemnifie

In2018 states announced expansions involving nearly3000 acres includingBaileyFallsland acquisitions eventually integrating facilities expanding MatthiessenStatePark Additionally continuously attracting thousands annually park proving immensely popular escapade ChicagoMilwaukee urbanites Pandemic2020 fueled renewed interest regional outdoor recreational opportunities eagerly anticipated openings no official dates set future developments imminent expected shortly upcoming times ahead awaited eagerly anticipated enthusiastically welcomed excitedly looked forward confidently optimistically positively hopefully encouraging inspiring motivating energizing stimulating invigorating rejuvenating refreshing revitalizing renewing reinvigorating replenishing restoring reviving reawakening rekindling reanimating regenerating rebirthing resurrecti"""