Chimney Rock National Historic Site

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 famous, prominent geological 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 4,226 feet (1,288 m) above sea level. During the middle 19th century it served as a landmark along the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Mormon Trail, which ran along the north side of the rock. It is visible for many miles from the east along U.S. Route 26.

Based on sketches, paintings, and written accounts, Chimney Rock was taller when it was first seen by settlers, but has been reduced in height since then by erosion and lightning. In the 1990s, a lightning strike that caused rock to tumble off of the spire was recorded by a tourist's video camera.

Chimney Rock has been designated a National Historic Site and is today administrated as an "affiliated area" by the National Park Service in cooperation with the Nebraska State Historical Society. Chimney Rock and Independence Rock further west are probably the most famous features along the Oregon Trail.

On March 1, 2006, the Nebraska State Quarter was released. The quarter features a covered wagon headed west past Chimney Rock, memorializing Nebraska's role in westward migration.

See also

• Landmarks of the Nebraska Territory

References

External links

• National Park Service Chimney Rock site
• Chimney Rock National Historic Site operated by the Nebraska State Historical Society
• US Mint 50 State Quarters Program: Nebraska State Quarter