This article is about the landmark in Nebraska along the historic Oregon Trail and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. For other uses, see Chimney Rock (disambiguation).
Chimney Rock is a prominent geological rock formation in Morrill County in western Nebraska. Rising nearly 300 feet (91 m) above the surrounding North Platte River valley, the peak of Chimney Rock is 4,228 feet (1,289 m) above sea level.[1] The formation served as a landmark along the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Mormon Trail during the mid-19th century. The trails ran along the north side of the rock, which remains a visible landmark for modern travelers along U.S. Route 26 and Nebraska Highway 92. Chimney Rock National Historic Site was designated in 1956 and is an affiliated area of the National Park Service, operated by History Nebraska. Chimney Rock was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
Prior to exploration and settlement by European immigrants, the Native Americans of the area—mainly the Lakota Sioux—would refer to this formation by a term which meant "elk penis".[2][3] The first non-natives to see the pillar were probably the Astorians of Robert Stuart in their eastward journey from the Pacific Ocean in 1813. Chimney Rock was recorded in many journals after the Stuart expedition.[4]
The name "Chimney Rock" probably originated from early fur traders.[5] The first recorded mention of "Chimney Rock" was in 1827 by Joshua Pilcher. Pilcher had journeyed up the Platte River valley to the Salt Lake rendezvous of the Rocky Mountain fur trappers. The formation went through a variety of names before becoming Chimney Rock such as Chimley Rock and Chimney Tower, as well as euphemisms based on the original Native American name, such as Elk's Peak and Elk Brick.[5][3]
A small town named Chimney Rock once stood near the base of the formation.[6] A post office was established at the town of Chimney Rock in 1913, and remained in operation until 1922.[7]
Based on sketches, paintings, written accounts, and the 1897 photograph by Darton, Chimney Rock was taller when it was first seen by settlers, but has since been reduced in height by erosion, lightning, and reportedly by cannon fire from the ground and from aircraft.[8]
Geologyedit
Chimney Rock consists primarily of Brule clay interlayered with volcanic ash and Arikaree sandstone. The harder sandstone layers near the top have protected the pillar since it broke away from the retreating cliff line to the south.[9] Chimney Rock rises approximately 286 feet (87 m) above its surroundings.[1]
Todayedit
A Close-Up of Chimney RockChimney Rock from the north (2016)
The Ethel and Christopher J. Abbot Visitor Center features museum exhibits and a video about pioneers and the migrations in the West, as well as a gift shop.[11]
On March 1, 2006, the Nebraska State Quarter was released. The quarter features a covered wagon headed west past Chimney Rock, commemorating Nebraska's role in westward migration.
Chimney Rock National Historic Site. StateParks.com.
December 11, 2023
chimney, rock, national, historic, site, this, article, about, landmark, nebraska, along, historic, oregon, trail, mormon, pioneer, national, historic, trail, other, uses, chimney, rock, disambiguation, chimney, rock, prominent, geological, rock, formation, mo. This article is about the landmark in Nebraska along the historic Oregon Trail and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail For other uses see Chimney Rock disambiguation Chimney Rock is a prominent geological rock formation in Morrill County in western Nebraska Rising nearly 300 feet 91 m above the surrounding North Platte River valley the peak of Chimney Rock is 4 228 feet 1 289 m above sea level 1 The formation served as a landmark along the Oregon Trail the California Trail and the Mormon Trail during the mid 19th century The trails ran along the north side of the rock which remains a visible landmark for modern travelers along U S Route 26 and Nebraska Highway 92 Chimney Rock National Historic Site was designated in 1956 and is an affiliated area of the National Park Service operated by History Nebraska Chimney Rock was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15 1966 Chimney Rock National Historic SiteChimney Rock 2009 Chimney RockShow map of NebraskaChimney RockShow map of the United StatesLocationMorrill County Nebraska USANearest cityBayard NebraskaCoordinates41 42 13 N 103 20 54 W 41 70361 N 103 34833 W 41 70361 103 34833Area83 acres 34 ha EstablishedOctober 15 1966OperatorHistory Nebraska Contents 1 History 2 Geology 3 Today 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory edit nbsp Darton 1897 ChimneyRockPrior to exploration and settlement by European immigrants the Native Americans of the area mainly the Lakota Sioux would refer to this formation by a term which meant elk penis 2 3 The first non natives to see the pillar were probably the Astorians of Robert Stuart in their eastward journey from the Pacific Ocean in 1813 Chimney Rock was recorded in many journals after the Stuart expedition 4 The name Chimney Rock probably originated from early fur traders 5 The first recorded mention of Chimney Rock was in 1827 by Joshua Pilcher Pilcher had journeyed up the Platte River valley to the Salt Lake rendezvous of the Rocky Mountain fur trappers The formation went through a variety of names before becoming Chimney Rock such as Chimley Rock and Chimney Tower as well as euphemisms based on the original Native American name such as Elk s Peak and Elk Brick 5 3 A small town named Chimney Rock once stood near the base of the formation 6 A post office was established at the town of Chimney Rock in 1913 and remained in operation until 1922 7 Based on sketches paintings written accounts and the 1897 photograph by Darton Chimney Rock was taller when it was first seen by settlers but has since been reduced in height by erosion lightning and reportedly by cannon fire from the ground and from aircraft 8 Geology editChimney Rock consists primarily of Brule clay interlayered with volcanic ash and Arikaree sandstone The harder sandstone layers near the top have protected the pillar since it broke away from the retreating cliff line to the south 9 Chimney Rock rises approximately 286 feet 87 m above its surroundings 1 Today edit nbsp A Close Up of Chimney Rock nbsp Chimney Rock from the north 2016 Chimney Rock was designated a National Historic Site on August 9 1956 2 and is a National Park Service affiliated area maintained and administered by History Nebraska with NPS technical support Chimney Rock and Independence Rock further west in Wyoming are two of the prominent features along the Oregon Trail Chimney Rock is located 20 miles southeast of Scotts Bluff National Monument on Nebraska Highway 92 10 The Ethel and Christopher J Abbot Visitor Center features museum exhibits and a video about pioneers and the migrations in the West as well as a gift shop 11 On March 1 2006 the Nebraska State Quarter was released The quarter features a covered wagon headed west past Chimney Rock commemorating Nebraska s role in westward migration See also edit nbsp Earth sciences portal nbsp Nebraska portalLandmarks of the Nebraska Territory Butte Hoodoo Courthouse and Jail Rocks Nebraska Sandhills Chimney Rock State Park North CarolinaReferences edit a b Chimney Rock Nebraska Peakbagger com Retrieved March 25 2011 a b More About Chimney Rock National Historic Site History Nebraska a b Chimney Rock Atlas Obscura retrieved on November 21st 2015 Chimney Rock National Historic Site Nebraska National Park Service 1964 a b Chimney Rock History Federal Writers Project 1938 Origin of Nebraska place names Lincoln NE Works Progress Administration p 8 U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System Chimney Rock Post Office historical Chimney Rock s Popularity May Not Be Eroding But The Rock Is Yankton Daily Press from AP 15 May 2006 Accessed 25 Sept 2021 Chimney Rock History Nebraska Archived from the original on July 2 2004 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint unfit URL link Chimney Rock Nebraska TakeMyTrip com Archived from the original on April 20 2012 Chimney Rock National Historic Site History Nebraska External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chimney Rock National Historic Site 1 operated by the History Nebraska Chimney Rock National Park Service Chimney Rock National Historic Site StateParks com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chimney Rock National Historic Site amp oldid 1182097401, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
