Etnyre donates $100,000 to help restore Black Hawk statue

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OREGON – E. D. Etnyre & Co. hosted members of the Illinois Conservation Foundation, Oregon Together, Black Hawk Team and City Representative at their facilities on Wednesday, July 18 to present a donation of $100,000 for the refurbishing project of The Eternal Indian.

For more than 100 years, E. D. Etnyre & Co. and The Eternal Indian have called the banks of the Rock River in Oregon home. When the call for help came in to restore this historical landmark by the Oregon Together Black Hawk Team, a dedicated local group of citizens devoted to ensuring the preservation of this nationally recognized historical landmark; it was only fitting that E. D. Etnyre & Co. would answer the call.

In the early 1900s, Edward D. Etnyre, assisted the engineer, John Prasuhn, and the artist, Lorado Taft, with the construction of The Eternal Indian, more commonly known as Black Hawk. Through this relationship, John Prasuhn became the owner of the second model “gas buggy” build by E. D. Etnyre & Co.

 This car was later sold and restored by Harriet Etnyre Driver, Roger Etnyre, and Warren Shetter. This car now remains as The Eternal Indian stands, as tribute to the long history of Oregon and the men and women who came before us.

This donation is an effort of the company to support the community and preserve history. One of the company’s board members, Don Etnyre said, “The donation comes in good faith that the restoration project is in the position to move forward, with the backing of Oregon Together Black Hawk Team and the Illinois Conservation Foundation’s assurance that funds will directly go toward the restoration efforts.”

Through this donation and others, The Eternal Indian will continue to stand as a tribute to the men and women who have come before for many years to come.