Free Topo Maps of Chimney Rock National Historic Site

Download free topo maps of Chimney Rock National Historic Site. Use the adjoining 7.5 minute quadrangle legend to locate the Nebraska maps you need.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
  1. Northwest Topo Map: Bayard SW, NE
  2. North Topo Map: Bayard, NE
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Angora, NE
  4. West Topo Map: McGrew, NE
  5. Topo Map: South Bayard, NE
  6. East Topo Map: Bridgeport NW, NE
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Hackberry Creek, NE
  8. South Topo Map: Redington, NE
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Roundhouse Rock, NE
Map

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

Chimney Rock National Historic Site is located in the North Platte Valley of Nebraska. This awe-inspiring landmark soars towards the sky in a seemingly unforgiving land covered primarily by common prairie grass and yucca plants. It stands above the bluffs and served as a beacon for those settlers traveling the Oregon Trail to the West. Once reaching this point they knew they were nearing their eventual destination. It became one of the most renowned indicators, where pioneers would camp, journaling their amazement at the sight of this geologic wonder; those who could draw sketched various views capturing their enthrallment for future generations to admire. This formation that rises above the bluffs is primarily clay, volcanic ash and Arikaree sandstone, originally part of a large bluff that eroded through the centuries leaving this unusual spire, which was the strongest part of the original configuration. Over the centuries the Native Americans hunted buffalo on these bluffs; and Chimney Rock may have been almost as tall as the Scotts Bluff National Mountain just over 20 miles to the southeast. The names have changed through the centuries, it is believed that Chimney Rock was called "teepee" by indigenous people, as well as the more phallic "Elks Penis", becoming Chimney Rock by the more reserved Anglo-Americans traveling through. During the days of the pioneers the spire was about 490 feet high, diminishing to its present height of 325 feet. The monument is jointly administered by the Nebraska State Historical Society and the National Park Service. There is a Visitor Center offering historical information, films, exhibits including hands-on exhibits as well as a pictorial history; relating to the geological history and the cultural history of the land and the people who lived and crossed along the Great Plains of Nebraska. Chimney Rock still stands as a symbolic landmark of the western migration along the Oregon Trail during the mid-1800s. It is uncertain as to how long this iconic formation will last, hopefully for many generations to come. However time and nature reshapes this spire, it will always remain the historical landmark of these pioneers.