Royal City in Grant County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 28, 2006
1. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Marker
Inscription.
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. . Directly across the Columbia River is Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, covering 6,000 acres. Although the presence of petrified wood had been reported as early as 1898, the first indication of its presence in quantity in this vicinity was realized in 1927 during construction of the highway between Ellensburg and Vantage. This park represents one of the most unusual petrified wood areas in the world. Few localities yield a flora so diverse and only rarely are they preserved in lava flows. Well over 200 varieties of wood have been identified including Ginkgo-the “sacred tree of China”. The Ginkgo no longer exists in the wild state. Development was initiated in the 1930’s through a cooperative program involving the State of Washington, the National Park Service, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Since that time, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has developed the present modern Interpretive Center with exhibits interpreting the geological story. Because of its unique character, Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park has been designated a Registered Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Directly across the Columbia River is Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, covering 6,000 acres.
Although the presence of petrified wood had been reported as early as 1898, the first indication of its presence in quantity in this vicinity was realized in 1927 during construction of the highway between Ellensburg and Vantage. This park represents one of the most unusual petrified wood areas in the world. Few localities yield a flora so diverse and only rarely are they preserved in lava flows. Well over 200 varieties of wood have been identified including Ginkgo-the “sacred tree of China”. The Ginkgo no longer exists in the wild state.
Development was initiated in the 1930’s through a cooperative program involving the State of Washington, the National Park Service, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Since that time, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has developed the present modern Interpretive Center with exhibits interpreting the geological story.
Because of its unique character, Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park has been designated a Registered Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
N, 119° 57.908′ W. Marker is in Royal City, Washington, in Grant County. Marker is on Interstate 90. The marker is in the White Horse Monument Rest Area at I-90, Exit 139. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Royal City WA 99357, United States of America. Touch for directions.
I-90 bridge to Vantage WA is shown in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 459 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
