Chief Keokuk Monument

This statue in Rand Park honors Keokuk, the Watchful Fox, a leader of the Sauk people who lived from the late seventeen hundreds until eighteen forty eight. He was not a hereditary chief but rose to power through talent and force of will. During the War of eighteen twelve, when many native nations sided with the British, Keokuk kept his allegiance with the Americans, and he later pursued a controversial policy of cooperation with the United States.

That stance put him at odds with Black Hawk, whose followers waged the Black Hawk War. Keokuk died in Kansas in eighteen forty eight, but his remains were brought back and reburied here in eighteen eighty three. The bronze statue, designed by sculptor Nellie Walker, was raised in nineteen thirteen by the local Daughters of the American Revolution.

Both the city and Keokuk County bear his name.