Rockport in Spencer County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

A Rocky Beginning

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

1. A Rocky Beginning Marker

Inscription. James Lankford settled in the Rockport area in 1808, moving his wife and daughter into a cave under the bluff overlooking the Ohio River. Other settlers moved into the lowland that became downtown Rockport (originally dubbed Hanging Rock). By 1818 Rockport was named the Spencer County seat, and many families had moved to the top of the 200 foot bluffs to avoid the yearly floods. Downtown remained home to merchants, offices and saloons where gambling was a favorite activity. By 1856 the town had 1,000 residents, many manufacturers, pork packers, mills and breweries which relied on Rockport’s busy Ohio River port, which also shipped tobacco down-river to Owensboro, Kentucky.

When the railroad connected Rockport to Jasper in 1874, more trade routes were opened. In the 1930's Rockport’s sidewalks were laid by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Depression era organization.

By the Way:
Some folks say you can see the image of Martha Washington among the rock formations under the Rockport Bluff.

(Right Side Text)

Under the famous Rockport bluff lays the Ohio River. It was from here in 1828

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that a young merchant, Abraham Lincoln, boarded a flatboat for his first river trip to transport produce to New Orleans.

Travel to River Road at the east end of main Street in Rockport and you can stand on the same riverbank and sense the excitement of young Abe Lincoln anticipating his first trip so far away from home.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1808.

Location. 37° 52.73′ N, 87° 2.659′ W. Marker is in Rockport, Indiana, in Spencer County. It is at the intersection of South 1st Street and Clark Street, on the left when traveling south on South 1st Street. Located in "Rocky Side Park" which is entered from Main Street and South 2nd Street. "Rocky Side Park" follows the Ohio River and the very rocky high bluffs. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rockport IN 47635, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region

and in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American

Text - - A Rocky Beginning Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

2. Text - - A Rocky Beginning Marker

Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Abraham Lincoln (here, next to this marker); Mathias Sharp House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historical Site – Lankford Cave (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jan. 29, 1937 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spencer County, IN (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Visit Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Rockport Tavern (approx. 0.3 miles away); Abraham Lincoln was a Guest in 1844 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockport.

Marker Photo - - The Cave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

3. Marker Photo - - The Cave

Update - - Cave Photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

4. Update - - Cave Photo

Text on Right - - A Rocky Beginning Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

5. Text on Right - - A Rocky Beginning Marker

Marker Drawing - - 'Flatboat' image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

6. Marker Drawing - - 'Flatboat'

Marker Photos image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

7. Marker Photos

Entrance - - "Rocky Side Park" (from Main Street) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

8. Entrance - - "Rocky Side Park" (from Main Street)

Upper Cave - - "Rocky Side Park" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

9. Upper Cave - - "Rocky Side Park"

"Rocky Side Park" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

10. "Rocky Side Park"

Wide View - - A Rocky Beginning Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

11. Wide View - - A Rocky Beginning Marker

Other Wide View - - A Rocky Beginning Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

12. Other Wide View - - A Rocky Beginning Marker

Relief - - Abraham Lincoln image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, September 18, 2011

13. Relief - - Abraham Lincoln

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,748 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on September 26, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.