Bayard in Morrill County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Chimney Rock

Photographed By Bill Royal, May 30, 2009

1. Chimney Rock Marker

Inscription. Rising 470 feet above the North Platte River Vally, Chimney Rock stands to the south as the most celebrated of all natural formations along the overland routes to California, Oregon, and Utah. Chimney Rock served as an early landmark for fur traders, trappers, and mountain man as they made their way from the Rockies to the Missouri River. To later emigrants, the solitary spire marked the end of plains travel and the beginning of the rugged mountain portion of their journey.
The tip of the formation is 325 feet above the base. Chimney Rock is composed of Brule Clay with interlayers of volcanic ash and Arickaree sand-stone. Thousands of travelers carved their names in the soft base only to have these records disappear through the forces of nature. This eroded landmark is smaller than that which greeted early visitors to the area, but its presence for the generations of the near future is secure.
In 1941 the eighty acres containing the site were transferred to the Nebraska State Historical Society by the Roszel F. Durnal family. In 1956 Norman and Donna Brown deeded additional land to the society. In that same year Chimney Rock was designated a National Historical Site by the federal government.

Erected by Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 1.)

Topics and series. This

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historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list.

Location. 41° 43.225′ N, 103° 20.309′ W. Marker is in Bayard, Nebraska, in Morrill County. Marker is on Highway 92, ¾ mile west of U.S. 26, on the right when traveling west. There is a small paved pull-off from the road in front of this marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bayard NE 69334, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Oregon Trail (here, next to this marker); Chimney Rock Station (a few steps from this marker); Chimney Rock National Historic Site (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Innocent Assassins (approx. 1.3 miles away); Chimney Rock Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Mary Murray Murdoch (approx. 1½ miles away); The Mormon Pioneer Trail / Halfway To Zion (approx. 1.8 miles away); Camp Clarke Bridge and Sidney-Black Hills Trail (approx. 9.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bayard.

Regarding Chimney Rock. The actual Chimney Rock formation is seen some distance away

Area of Chimney Rock Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Royal, May 30, 2009

2. Area of Chimney Rock Marker

by standing in front of the marker and looking south (back across the road).

Also see . . . Chimney Rock south of Bayard, NE. This is a much better picture of Chimney Rock (Submitted on December 2, 2009, by Bill Royal of Sun City Ctr, Florida.)

Chimney Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, June 30, 2023

3. Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock and Chimney Rock Station Markers in the foreground.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2009, by Bill Royal of Sun City Ctr, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,824 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 2, 2009, by Bill Royal of Sun City Ctr, Florida. 3. submitted on July 9, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.