Courthouse and Jail Rocks

Courthouse and Jail Rocks
Jail Rock from the west (1897)[1]
Courthouse and Jail Rocks (2004)

Courthouse and Jail Rocks are two rock formations located near Bridgeport, Nebraska.

The Oregon-California Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail all ran near the rocks. The pair of rock formations served as a landmark along the trails for many pioneers traveling west in the 19th century. Many travelers would stray as much as five miles (8 km) from the Oregon Trail just to get a glimpse of the rocks.

Hundreds of westward-bound emigrants mentioned Courthouse Rock (originally also McFarlan's Castle) in their travel logs and journals. The name "Courthouse" was first used in 1837.[2] In 1845, one traveler described the rock as "resembling the ruins of an old castle [which] rises abruptly from the plain....It is difficult to look upon it and not believe that art had something to do with its construction. The voyagers have called it the Courthouse; but it looks infinitely more like the Capitol."[3]

Courthouse and Jail Rocks, which rise 400 feet (121 m) above the North Platte Valley, are composed of Brule clay, Gering sandstone and volcanic ash. The rock formations are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and in the Nebraska Natural Areas Register.

The formation was the site of a rare microburst event on May 19, 2009, where wind speeds were sustained at over 60 mph for approximately 15 minutes, including several bursts over 80 mph and an incredible burst of 91 mph. This event was documented by a meteorologist on-site and a Weather Channel film crew.

The formation is the site of the annual Panhandle Astronomy Club's, Western Nebraska Star Gaze star party in June, since 2005. Chosen because it is a good dark site, close to Bridgeport with a nice view of the surrounding terrain.

See also

References

  1. ^ Darton, N.H. 1903. Preliminary report on the geology and water resources of Nebraska west of the one hundred and third meridian. United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Professional Paper 17, 69 pp. (See Plate V)
  2. ^ Mattes, M.J. 1987. The Great Platte River Road. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, p. 348
  3. ^ Mattes, M.J. 1987. The Great Platte River Road. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, p. 349-350

External links


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