Independence Rock | |
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  Location in United States Show map of the United States | |
| Location | 60 mi (97 km) SW of Casper onWYO 220,Natrona County, Wyoming |
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| Coordinates | 42°29′38″N107°07′59″W / 42.494°N 107.133°W /42.494; -107.133 |
| Area | 170 acres (69 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000757[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 20, 1961[2] |
Independence Rock is a large granite rock, approximately 130 feet (40 m) high, 1,900 feet (580 m) long, and 850 feet (260 m) wide, which is in southwesternNatrona County, Wyoming, United States, alongWyoming Highway 220. During the middle of the 19th century, it formed a prominent and well-known landmark on theOregon,Mormon, andCalifornia emigrant trails. Many of these emigrants carved their names on it, and it was described by early missionary and explorer FatherPierre-Jean De Smet in 1840 as theRegister of the Desert.[3] The site was designated aNational Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961[2] and is now part ofIndependence Rock State Historic Site, owned and operated by the state of Wyoming.
The rock is a large roundedmonolith ofArcheangranite typical of the surrounding region and is an isolated peak at the southeast end of theGranite Mountains. Its appearance is somewhat like the roundedEnchanted Rock ofTexas orUluru inAustralia (formerly known as Ayers Rock), although smaller in size. It is located in the highplateau region of central Wyoming, north of the Sentinel Rocks ridge and adjacent to theSweetwater River.[4] It is accessible from a rest area onWyoming Highway 220, approximately 20 miles (32 km) northeast ofMuddy Gap and 60 miles (97 km) south-west ofCasper.
The rock derives its name from the fact that it lies directly along the route of theEmigrant Trail. Pioneering wagon parties bound forOregon orCalifornia usually left theMissouri River in the early spring and hoped to reach the rock by July 4 (Independence Day in the United States), in order to reach their destinations before the first mountain snowfalls. It was likely named prior to 1830.[5]John C. Frémont camped a mile below this site on August 1, 1843 and made this entry in the journal of his 1843–1844 expedition:[6]
Everywhere within six or eight feet of the ground, where the surface is sufficiently smooth, and in some places sixty or eighty feet above, the rock is inscribed with the names of travelers. Many a name famous in the history of this country, and some well known to science, are to be found among those of traders and travelers.
Fremont carved a large cross into the rock monolith, which was blasted off the rock on July 4, 1847 by hundreds of California and Oregon emigrants who had gathered on the site.[7] Some Protestants considered the cross to be a symbol of the Pope and Catholicism.[7] John Frémont was actually a member of the United States Episcopal Church.[8]
On July 4, 1862, Independence Rock was the site of Wyoming's firstMasonic Lodge meeting.[3]
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