Neuqua Valley History

Neuqua Valley High School started its inaugural year in August of 1997. Neuqua Valley was conceived well over three years before as a result of much hard work by district administration, parents, students, staff and a host of other community participants. Neuqua Valley is designed to service 3,000 students.

The 'Neu' Valley

More than a school name, Neuqua is an important tribe member with his own spectacular mythology. He was a member of the peaceful Potowatomi tribe, which settled in the Fox Valley in the early 18th century. The Potowatomi, which translates to mean "Fire People", were guided by Chief Waubonsie, who explorers said had a friendly, charismatic personality. Waubonsie's eldest son, Neuqua was a favorite among the tribe members and other early settlers.

During Neuqua's life there was a continuous rivalry between many Native Americans, such as himself, and the early, white colonists.  The cause of these disputes came from the invading colonists who believed they had the right to own the Native American's land, which was the environment that the Native Americans survived off of during this time period. The Native Americans were forced to choose to assimilate with the colonists or moved away. Soon enough the greedy whites became frustrated with sharing the land with the Native Americans. The colonists rooted them up from their familiar homes and ordered them to move to Oklahoma. Neuqua choose to assimilate, for fear he would be moved.

Though he was open to new ideas, at the same time he held fast to tradition. This observation came from the colonists bringing with them new customs. One of the new settlers, Col. Nathaniel Lyon, who farmed near Batavia, offered to teach Neuqua how to plant corn. He insisted that corn was the most dependable way to live, rather than relying on hunting. Neuqua agreed to meet with Lyon to learn the "white way."

While Lyon was showing Neuqua how to plant the kernels of corn, Neuqua stopped and motioned to some tribal women to do the work. Lyon was appalled by this action of making women do the work when there were spare men to work as well. But Neuqua triumphantly replied, "Me hunt meat...[women] hunt corn." This story illustrates how Neuqua was willing to try new ways in some parts of his life, yet not all. He was open to change, but not revolution.

Neuqua was also regarded as a fearless warrior who was greatly remembered for his encounter with the "spirit" at Devil's Cave, which is now located on the west bank of the Fox River. Chief Waubonsie became skeptical of some mysterious killings of some of his tribal men. He sent Neuqua and other tribe members out to settle this problem. While hiding in the woods Neuqua discovered a glowing "spirit." Neuqua followed the "footsteps" of the "spirit" down a ravine by the river and to the mouth of a nearby cave. Without delay, Neuqua and the others built a fire to smoke out the "spirit." When the smoke became too thick and the temperature too hot, the "spirit" and it charred body bolted through the flames and into the river. It was determined that "spirit" was a banished tribal member with a "glowing" cloak of decayed tree bark. The tribal member was exiled for stealing from the white men. Since that episode, the cave has been known as the Devil's cave and Neuqua is remembered for his bravery and innovation.

Written by Meghan McGreevey
Inaugural Issue of the Echo
Neuqua Valley High School Newspaper
August 1997

9-24-07