Near Ellsworth in Ellsworth County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Smoky Hills Region
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 18, 2012
1. Smoky Hills Region Marker
Inscription.
Smoky Hills Region. . This region of Kansas contains the Smoky Hills, an area of rolling hills, occasional mesas, and buttes, with striking outcroppings. Pawnee Rock, Coronado Heights, and Rock City are notable Dakota sandstone formations in this region. The Smoky Hills Region features sandstone caps in the east such as the rock "toadstools" in this park. More of these unique forms, sculpted by erosion, may be seen at Mushroom Rocks State Park near Carneiro, east of Ellsworth. In the mid-section of the region, hills are capped with limestone. Because of the scarcity of wood, early settlers made stone fence posts from this limestone. This custom is still in use. Chalk outcroppings can be seen in the western part of the region. Castle Rock and Monument Rocks are large chalk formations found in Gove County. Chalk bluffs are also located in Logan and Trego counties. These chalk formations, such as Wildcat Canyon in Trego County, are excellent sources of fossils from the Cretaceous Era.
This region of Kansas contains the Smoky Hills, an area of rolling hills, occasional mesas, and buttes, with striking outcroppings. Pawnee Rock, Coronado Heights, and Rock City are notable Dakota sandstone formations in this region. The Smoky Hills Region features sandstone caps in the east such as the rock "toadstools" in this park. More of these unique forms, sculpted by erosion, may be seen at Mushroom Rocks State Park near Carneiro, east of Ellsworth. In the mid-section of the region, hills are capped with limestone. Because of the scarcity of wood, early settlers made stone fence posts from this limestone. This custom is still in use. Chalk outcroppings can be seen in the western part of the region. Castle Rock and Monument Rocks are large chalk formations found in Gove County. Chalk bluffs are also located in Logan and Trego counties. These chalk formations, such as Wildcat Canyon in Trego County, are excellent sources of fossils from the Cretaceous Era.
Erected by the State of Kansas. (Marker Number 102.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. In addition, it is included in the Kansas Historical Society series list.
Location. 38° 51.345′ N, 98° 7.438′
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W. Marker is near Ellsworth, Kansas, in Ellsworth County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 70 at milepost 224. Marker is in the east bound rest area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ellsworth KS 67439, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 703 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
