Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

Chimney Rock From Visitor Center
Chimney Rock National Historic Site.  Nebraska.  August 11, 2014
Copyright © 2016 A. F. Litt, All Rights Reserved

Photo of the Day by A. F. Litt: Day of Several Photos - July 20, 2016


This National Historic Site, designated in 1956, is administered by the Nebraska State Historical Society, who operates the Visitor Center.  According to Wikipedia, this is "a National Park Service affiliated area."

Of course, Chimney Rock was considered to be "one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks for pioneer travelers on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails," and a study of 300 emigrant journals suggests that "Chimney Rock was by far the most mentioned landmark." (NPS)

Like Independence Rock and some other notable locations along the emigrant trails, travelers carved their names into the stone here, but due to the nature of the rock, here the names have mostly faded.

Visitor Center Display

We did not have an opportunity to walk out to the rock itself, but we did get to spend some time in the Visitor Center.

Comparing old drawings and photos to the rock today, it is apparent that it was once taller than it is now, and that a sizable section of the top has since fallen.


"Chimney Rock, Nebraska." (1904)
Photograph from Volume One of a series of photo albums documenting the construction of Pathfinder Dam and other units on the North Platte Project in Wyoming and Nebraska
National Archives and Records Administration(National Archives Identifier) 294354
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AChimney_Rock%2C_Nebraska_-_NARA_-_294354.tif

Chimney Rock: Sagebrush and Rock
Chimney Rock National Historic Site.  Nebraska.  August 11, 2014
http://www.aflitt.com/chimneyrocknhs
Copyright © 2016 A. F. Litt, All Rights Reserved

Chimney Rock From the South
Chimney Rock National Historic Site.  Nebraska.  August 11, 2014
http://www.aflitt.com/chimneyrocknhs
Copyright © 2016 A. F. Litt, All Rights Reserved

Chimney Rock and Marsh
Chimney Rock National Historic Site.  Nebraska.  August 11, 2014
http://www.aflitt.com/chimneyrocknhs
Copyright © 2016 A. F. Litt, All Rights Reserved


Chimney Rock: History and Snakes
Chimney Rock National Historic Site.  Nebraska.  August 11, 2014
http://www.aflitt.com/chimneyrocknhs
Copyright © 2016 A. F. Litt, All Rights Reserved


Chimney Rock: Rock and Snake Sign
Chimney Rock National Historic Site.  Nebraska.  August 11, 2014
http://www.aflitt.com/chimneyrocknhs
Copyright © 2016 A. F. Litt, All Rights Reserved

Links


NPS - Chimney Rock National Historic Site
https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/scotts_bluff/chimney_rock.html

Nebraska State Historical Society

Wikipedia


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