Courthouse and Jail Rocks - court_jailhouserock168499
by Frank J Benz
Title
Courthouse and Jail Rocks - court_jailhouserock168499
Artist
Frank J Benz
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Courthouse and Jail Rocks
Nebraska
Courthouse Rock was first mentioned in 1812 and rapidly turned into one of the guiding landmarks that fur traders, emigrants and those traveling west used on their journey. Courthouse Rock is a massive monolith of Brule clay and Gering sandstone and was likened to being a courthouse or castle. A smaller rock formation adjacent to Courthouse was called the Jail House or Jail Rock. These rocks are positioned at over 4,050 feet above sea level and their position commands a view of the country for over 40 miles in all directions.
As the travelers heading west approached Courthouse and Jail Rocks they could view the rocks for several days as they headed west. Aside from being the first monumental rock formations that those heading west encountered, this area was also the crossroads where the major routes of the Oregon and California Overland trails came together as well as the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Trail and the Sidney Deadwood Trail.
Like Chimney Rock, Courthouse and Jail Rock were called other names however by the 1840s Courthouse and Jail Rock were what most everyone called them. Courthouse and Jail Rocks can be found near the town of Bridgeport, Nebraska in the Nebraska Panhandle and as the crow would fly is about 15 miles east of Chimney Rock.
Uploaded
May 7th, 2023
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