Hawk Island County Park originated as a gravel pit that was established in the early 1940's by Sablain's Gravel Co. Gravel was mined and used for cement. Water filled the pit from underground aquifiers to form a pond. An island formed in the center of the pit from mined calcium carbonate by-products. Wild fish, turtle, and plant populations were established by seasonal flooding from nearby Sycamore Creek. The pond and surrounding area were acquired by the county in 1994 and made into a park.